West Bengal Travel Guide

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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.

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