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Darjeeling -The queen of hill station is surrounded by the lush
green beauty of the lavishly laid out tea garden filled with an aroma of
freshness. Lying 2134 m above sea level, it was given to the east India
company by the King of Sikkim.
» Tiger Hill - The highest point in Darjeeling,
Tiger hills provides the most exotic view of the Kanchenjunga peaks. The
height of the peak allows a clear view of other peaks in the Eastern
Himalayas. The sun rising and sun setting from the hills offer an
equally beautiful sight never seen before. The rays of the sun on these
peaks gives an impression of molten gold spread on the sheets.
» Mirik - The place of Mirik is surrounded by
tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations. It lies at a
distance of 52 km from Siliguri. Free from the city life, it offers an
invigorating experience to its visitors.
» Shantiniketan - The place, 2 km from
Bolpur is the embodiment of peace and serenity which was the original
residence of Rabindra Nath Tagore. The University founded by the Nobel
Laureate is the meeting place of the scholars of the east and the west.
The Vishwa Bharti University was initially a hermitage or an ashram
founded by Marharishi Devendra Nath Tagore. It was later converted to an
open school by his son Rabindra nath Tagore.
» Wildlife
¤ Sunderbans, the largest Delta The home to the Royal Bengal
Tigers, the ever green Sunderbans possesses myriad forms of life in it.
Split into numerous rivers and channels emptying in the Bay of Bengal,
it is also the habitat of the Kingfisher and the White bellied Sea
eagle. It is formed by 54 small island and covered by mangrove trees.
The worlds largest estuarine forest lies 70% under saline water.
Shopping
The widely popular New Market , as well as local institutions such as
Gariahat in the south and Barabazaar to the north of Kolkata are
excellent places for shopping. Modern shopping complexes have sprung up
selling bookshops, clothes, leather and jewellery. The prominent one's
include the Emami Shoppers City at Lord Sinha Road, the brand new Metro
Shopping Center at Ho Chi Minh Sarani, good for clothes and leather
goods, and the Shree Ram Arcade opposite the Lighthouse near New Market.
Accommodation
The hotels in West Bengal cater to different types of vacationers and
business travellers in its own methods of hospitality. For the
backpackers and economy vacationers in Kolkata, there are a number of
bargain hotels. Among the star category are the Sonar Bangla Sheraton,
Hotel Hyatt Regency, MBD airport Hotel and the Royal Taj Bengal which
are counted among the best.
How to Reach
» By Air -The state has direct services to and
from Kolkata to other important cities of India such as Mumbai, Chennai,
Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, etc. The airport in Kolkata is situated at
Dumdum, 17 km northeast of the city.
» By Rail - Super-fast trains such as Rajdhani
Express joins it to the national capital and Shatabdi Express join the
state from capital city Kolkata to nearby cities such as Bokaro and
Rourkela. Coromandel Express and Gitanjali Express connect Kolkata to
Chennai and Mumbai respectively. The city has two major railway stations
- one at Howrah and the other at Sealdah.
» By Road - The state is connected to all the
nearby places by road. West Bengal is connected within also. Darjeeling
and Siliguri, Durgapur and Shantiniketan are connected by road.
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Victoria Memorial - The Victoria Memorial built on the banks of the
Hooghly river signifies the British powers in pre independent India. The
park which was created as a memorial continues to be the pride and joy of
the city of Kolkata. The Victoria memorial with its lovely gardens and water
falls was constructed under Governor General Lord Curzon. The monument was
mainly erected to commemorate the glories of Queen Victoria, who was the
sole Empress of India from the period of 1876 till 1901.
North
India States
