West Bengal Travel Guide

West Bengal is the gateway to the east having special blend of the ancient and the modern. It's landscape is a variety of hills, plains and coastal areas. The state is long and narrow and is made up of the delta of the lower Ganges and the other rivers in the south and the mountainous region in the north. Howrah Bridge is another landmark that denotes the city of joy. This hanging bridge is an architectural marvel of the country. The second largest planetarium in Asia, the Birla Planetarium, is another site that attracts attention of all regardless of their age. The Botanical Garden with its 250-year-old banyan tree (Ficus bengalhensis) is another attraction of the city. West Bengal is one of the first destinations in a tourist's itinerary visiting the eastern part of the country. Calcutta (also Kolkata), the capital of the state, is the proud intellectual capital of the country. The city has made outstanding contribution to the country in the field of arts, sciences, medicine, social reform and literature. All over from the snow capped peaks of the East Himalayas to the sand & surf of the bay of Bengal, from a grand historical legacy & centuries old culture to a modern cooercialism from a wealth of wildlife to a serene yet vibrant country life. During the Mahabharatha period this area was divided into small kingdoms and principalities ruled by chieftains.

The Aryans inhabited Bengal during the post Vedic period. Many dynasties exercised their control over Bengal. The Palas, Pundras, the Sen etc were a few whose rule was noteworthy. The Palas ruled for more than four hundred years. Owing to its favourable location this region had trade with Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, the Deccan and the Persian Gulf. The Navigable parts of Ganga made it favourable for internal trade and communication. They had contacts till Taxila. In about the 3rd century the Mauryan and the Guptas established their rule. The Palas established their strong rule from about 800AD till the 11th century after which the Senas ruled. The economy, arts and culture of this region developed under the rule of the Hindu dynasties. In the beginning of the 13th century Bengal became a part of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughals. Shopping here, is a thrilling experience. The former Capital of British India, Calcutta has been a home to many great people like Mother Teresa, Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekanand. The place has a range of things to offer to a shopper. From the intriguining Street vendors of Chowringhee Road to the danity shops of sudder st New Market, Calcutta a shoppers paradise.The shops along the entrance arcade to the Oberoi Grand Hotel are interesting but not as entertaining as Chowringhee’s amazing variety of pavement vendors and stores selling everything from carpets to handicrafts.New Market, formerly Hogg Market, started off in 1874 is still the hottest place to go shopping. It has on display everything from clothes to electronics. It is Calcutta’s premier place for bargain shopping.

India Travel Guides

Information Offices: Bhuj

Information Offices TCGL Tourist Information Office, Block 416, 3rd Floor, Bahumali Building s 24910. Dhrang Fair: held during February/ March at Dhrang, 40 km from Bhuj, at the tomb of Menkan Dada. Ravechi-no-melo: an important re-aligious festival, it is held at Ravechi Mata’s temple in Rav village in August/ September. Kachchh Mahotsav: 2-4

Uttar Pradesh : Allahabad

Uttar Pradesh : Allahabad Allahabad, or Prayag as it was once called, has been a city of holy pilgrimage for Indians for thousands of years. Here, on the banks of the Ganga at its confluence with the Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati, known as Sangam, a once-in-1 2-years festival - the

Uttar Pradesh : Vrindavan

Vrindavan 15 km away, is as closely associated with Krishna as Mathura. Believed to have been the venue of Krishna's romantic and mischievious escapades Vrindavan has hundreds of shrines, several ghats and many tanks. Goverdhan: 26 km, on the Deeg Road. The 10-km-long Goverdhan hillock is supposed to have been raised by child

Bangalore : Entertainment/sports

Bangalore is a lively city. Perhaps, it has to do with its salubrious and mild cli¬mate or its location, virtually at the centre of the southern plateau. Consequently, there are so many more diversions to entertain you. At the very least you may just take a walk along the m.g. Road

Uttar Pradesh : Bahratpur

Bahratpur An erstwhile princely, Bharatpur is also often called the 'Eastern Gateway of Rajasthan1. its forrt, renowned as Lohagarh (Iron Fort) for its interesting fortifications, was once considered invincible. However, the city drew more of its fame from the royal hunting grounds that have now been turned into a national park.

Banks/Currency Exchange: Bhopal

Banks/Currency Exchange Most Nationalised Banks Have Branches In Bhopal With Many Offering Foreign Currency Exchange Facilities. Some Of The Important Ones Include: Bank Of Baroda, Hamidia Road “. Bank Of India, Arera Colony » . Canara Bank, Berasia Road ». State Bank Of India, Hoshanga-Bad Road N. State Bank Of In¬dore, M.P.

Gwalior : Getting There

Gwalior : Getting There By Air Indian Airlines flights connect Gwalior with Delhi, Agra, Bhopal, Indore andMumbai. Gwalior has flights to Delhi by Indian Mines on Sun/Mon/Wed/Fri. The flight goes on to Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai. By Rail Gwalior is on the Central Railway's main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai mates. Best connections from Agra,

Tashijong : Palampur

Tashijong : Palampur (12 km) & bir (24 km): ti¬betan monasteries.

Jhansi Excursions : Paricha

Jhansi Excursions Paricha (25 km). A dam on the Bet-wa river which is popular as a picnic spot. Deogarh (123 km). The remains of a fine Vishnu temple dating to the Gupta period and several Jain temples are located here.

Omkareshwar : By Road

Omkareshwar : By Road Regular bus services from Indore, Ujjain (133 km), Khandwa (61 km) and Omkareshwar Road.