West Bengal Tourist Places

West Bengal is such a place where Indians respect history, culture, and nature in concert. Known as the "Gateway to the East," this state opens up a journeyful journey through diverse landscapes from the megacity of Kolkata to the tranquil Sundarbans. This is West Bengal: a place that puts back the past together with the present, creating a very vibrant tapestry of experiences for all sorts of explorers.

Your journey begins in Kolkata, the City of Joy, where the spirit of Bengal comes alive in its colonial-era architecture, bustling markets, and rich cultural traditions. Visit the magnificent Victoria Memorial, a special architectural masterpiece that epitomizes the Victorian era of British India, and walk also along the shores of Hooghly River where stands the iconic Howrah Bridge, the very spirit of the city. 

Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, the ancient Kalighat Temple, one of the most revered places in Bengal, is dedicated to the worship of goddess Kali, giving space to meditation in this other bustling metropolis. The sheer number of museums, galleries, and bookshops encircling Kolkata explain its passion for art and literature, beckoning one to drink in the creative vibe surrounding it.

Take an excursion to Darjeeling, the Queen of the Hills where the towering peaks of Himalayas make for a dramatic backdrop against this quaint hill station. Darjeeling is a world-famous tea-garden destination; it has earned much attention because of its serene surroundings and the view of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage toy train ride gets you an unforgettable experience journeying through lush green valleys, quaint villages, and mist-covered hills.

Next, we would head to the Sundarbans, a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is one of the biggest tidal halophytic mangrove forests in the world and is home to the reclusive Bengal tiger. The great river networks and islands make this place the ultimate opportunity for eco-tourism with boat rides through the densest forests and wildlife glimpses that make this region the most unique in the world. Silence in waters, colors in flowers, and multiple animals found there make the Sundarbans a haven for all those inclined to nature and wildlife photography.

For history enthusiasts and lovers of architecture, it is Bengal's richly royal past all splashed out in a garage at the district city of Murshidabad. Murshidabad was the capital of the Bengal Subah, boasting of Hazarduari Palace as one of its finest monuments, and Katra Masjid is a historical wonder that speaks of the time of glory of the Nawabs in Bengal. The soothing breeze of the city by the banks of the Bhagirathi River makes it an ideal place for the unwinding session amidst all those ancient monuments.

Travel to the town of Shantiniketan, founded by the legend poet Rabindranath Tagore, where art, culture, and nature blend so seamlessly together. One of the most acclaimed institutes is Visva-Bharati University, which was established by Tagore, demonstrating the synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies. The atmospheric quietude of Shantiniketan combined with its links with art and literature brings a wonderful break from mundane bustle.

Festivals are no exception to this too. Durga Puja can be said to be the biggest festival in West Bengal and the whole state becomes a canvas of fantastic pandals, intricate idols, and colourful celebrations, that attract thousands of visitors every year. The Poila Boishakh festival heralding the Bengali New Year falls among many colorful festivals that decorate the cultural fabric of this great state-rich in traditional dances and music as well as sumptuous Bengali cuisine, including delicacies such as macher jhol (fish curry), shorshe ilish (hilsa in mustard sauce), and the pièce de résistance, rosogolla.