West BengalWest Bengal is a state in theeastern region of India and is thenation's fourth-most populous. It isalso the seventh-most populoussub-national entity in the world,with over 91 million inhabitants.Spread over 34,267 sq mi (88,750km), it is bordered by the countriesof Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh,and the Indian states of Orissa,Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, andAssam. The state capital is Kolkata(formerly Calcutta).

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Famous For : State / Provinc

 West Bengal encompasses two broadnatural regions: the Gangetic Plain in thesouth and the sub-Himalayan andHimalayan area in the north. In the 3rdcentury BC, the broader region of Bengalwas conquered by the emperor Ashoka. Inthe 4th century AD, it was absorbed into theGupta Empire. From the 13th centuryonward, the region was ruled by severalsultans, powerful Hindu states and Baro-Bhuyan landlords, until the beginning ofBritish rule in the 18th century.

The British East India Company cementedtheir hold on the region following the Battleof Plassey in 1757, and Calcutta served formany years as the capital of British India.The early and prolonged exposure to Britishadministration resulted in expansion ofWestern education, culminating indevelopment in science, institutionaleducation, and social reforms of the region,including what became known as the BengalRenaissance. A hotbed of the Indian

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independence movement through the early20th century, Bengal was divided duringIndia's independence in 1947 along religiouslines into two separate entities:West Bengal—a state of India—and EastBengal—a part of the newly-createdPakistan—later becoming Bangladesh in1971.

The state's cultural heritage, besides variedfolk traditions, ranges from stalwarts inliterature including Nobel-laureateRabindranath Tagore to scores of musicians,film-makers and artist.West Bengal is also distinct from most otherIndian states in its appreciation and practiceof playing soccer besides the nationalfavourite sport cricket.

A major agricultural producer,West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributorto India's net domestic product. Noted forits political activism, the state was ruled bydemocratically elected communistgovernment for three decades.West Bengal is noted for its cultural activitiesand presence of cultural and educationalinstitutions; the state capital Kolkata isknown as the "cultural capital of India".

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-west-bengal-lp-1273337

1 Darjeeling

Darjeeling is synonymous with sprawlinggreen and picturesque tea-estates. Teaproduction in Darjeeling is a legacy of theBritish, who developed the place as a hillstation to escape the summer heat. Locatedin the 'lesser' Himalayan area, it boasts ofthe Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which isrecognized by UNESCO as a World HeritageSite. Remember Rajesh Khanna crooning“mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu” againstthe magical backdrop of Kanchenjunga inthe early 70s? Well, that movie wasAradhana, which changed the destiny forRajesh Khanna and brought Darjeeling tothe world map. Other notable films whichcaptured the beauty of this impeccable hillstation include Barfi, Main Hoon Na, and Mrand Mrs Iyer!

In the early 19th century, a patrol of theBritish East India Company was exploring an

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easy access to Sikkim during the Anglo-Nepal War. They came across a sleepyhamlet atop a thickly wooded ridge with abrilliant view of Mount Khangchendzonga. In its formative years, like mostBritish Raj retreats, Darjeeling was simply ascattered village of English cottages, mainlyconfined to the Birch Hill and Jalapaharareas. Interestingly, Darjeeling is one of thepopular educational hubs in the countrybecause of its many British style Publicschools.

Come here to get enveloped in the awe-inspiring views, savour some deliciousSikkimese and Tibetan cuisines, experiencethe Tibetan Buddhist culture and take homethe beautiful handicrafts made by the locals.

2 Shantiniketan

The beautiful town of Shantiniketan is abustling hub of knowledge and culture. Setamidst lush surroundings, the town is ameeting point for Eastern and Western

schools of learning. Originally known asBhubandanga, it is home to a blossominguniversity. The annual fair, Paush Mela,began with an aim of introducing a newreligious faith known as Brahmo Dharmo.The fair is presently one of the mostcelebrated events in the town and is a majortourist attraction. With a plethora ofeducational centers, such as KalaBhavan(college of arts and crafts) andSangeet bhavan, Shantiniketan is slowlygaining importance as a tourist destination.A refuge for scholars, historians, naturebuffs and spiritual seekers, Shantiniketanexudes peace, calm and tranquility.

3 Siliguri

Famous for its tea estates, Siliguri (Shiliguri)is the Gateway to North East India as it lieson the thin strip of land connecting themainland and the latter. Tourism is one ofthe capital industries here, others beingTimber, Tea and Transport. Offering scenicviews of the lofty Kanchenjunga mountain,the landscape of Siliguri (Shiliguri) is perhaps

the most refreshing in India. TheMahananda Weir Wildlife Sanctuary islocated nearby and is a haven of flora andfauna. The Science City makes for aninteresting educational excursion, displayingvarious scientific experiments andequipments. The Coronation Bridge is amust visit, for it is a fine example ofarchitecture and can be called art in steelitself. Apart from the local artifacts andhandicrafts, one can also buy cheap China-made electronics here. The Salagura andKalchakra Monastery are importantBuddhists centers here.A variety of animals and birds make theirhome within the 100 sq km area ofjaldapara wildlife sanctuary. Plans are afootto merge the sanctuary with Buxa TigerReserve under the title of National Park toensure a better conservation effort. Thebest way to explore Jaldapara is by takingthe one-hour elephant safari. A maximum offour people are allowed on each elephant.The safari from the Tourist Lodge atMadarihat is subject to the availability ofelephants. The park authorities don’tprovide vehicles for safaris, so you’ll have torent one from the Madarihat Lodge or atourist agency. A forest guard mustaccompany the jeep.The best time to visit Siliguri are the dryseasons : March-May and October-November.

4 Kalimpong

Rich in Tibetan and Buddhist culture,Kalimpong is a popular retreat destination,home to the Zang Dhok Palri PhodangBuddhist monastery. Overlooking the Teestariver and valley, this small hill-town in the'Lesser Himalayas' is a treat for nature-lovers, especially with its lush horticultureand flower-markets. A sure treat forbackpackers and trekkers, Kalimpong hassomething for every traveler. A hub forsome great schools established in the Britishera in India, people from Bangladesh,Bhutan and Myanmar come here for higherstudies and you are likely to see a multi-ethnic crowd here.

5 Tiger Hill

Senchal Forest, Senchal Road,Darjeeling, West Bengal 734123,India

The summit of Ghoom,Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is the highest point ofthis hill station. It's also famous for ismagnificent view of the Mt Everest and Mt

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Kanchenjunga. The first shot of sunlight atdawn shading upon the twin peaks paintingthe snow clad mountains in pale orange, issomething one just cant miss. It is perhapsthe most splendid experience one can have,while in Darjeeling.  At an altitude of2590 meters and 13 km away from theDarjeeling, Tiger Hill offersmagnificent view of the mountains.

The place has earned worldwide fame forthe breathtaking view of the sunrise overthe "Kanchenjunga" and the great easternHimalayan Mountains. The world's highestpeak, Mount Everest, can also be viewedfrom here. The story behind the Tiger Hillgoes accordingly. Each morning, muffler-wrapped tourists make up a processiontowards the hill to see what was reckonedby many to be, at least from 1838 to 1849,the highest mountain in the world —Kangchendzonga. Then, in 1856, the Surveyof India confirmed the suspicion thatactually Nepal’s Sagarmatha, namedEverest by the Brits, was it. If you areexceptionally lucky, you will see both thecurrent and the former tallest mountains ofthe world from Tiger Hill.  Thedifference in their height is a mere 0.25 km.Kangchendzonga though, now relegated tobeing the third highest peak, is still calledthe most romantic mountain — an epithetone can understand only on seeing it.Countless poems and an eponymous movieby Satyajit Ray acknowledge this.

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-west-bengal-lp-1273337

1 Roxy Bar

The Park, 17, Park Street, Kolkata,West Bengal 700016, India

+91-33-40049000

Encapsulating the style and glamour of the60s, Roxy Bar is quite a famous stopoveramongst night lovers. With an inexhaustiveand extensive wine and cocktail menu, thisplace adds magic to night life for manylocals as well as tourists. 

2 Raul's Bar And Restaurant

63, Rashbehari Shyama PrasadMukherjee Road, Hazra, Kolkata,West Bengal 700026, India

+91-33-24543961

Known for being a reasonable restaurantcum bar, Raul's Bar and Restaurant islocated at Hazra in South Kolkata. It is veryclose  to the JD Park metro stationtherefore makes it a default location formany. This place serves cuisines includingNorth Indian, Chinese, Mughlai andTandoori. If you love Chilly Chicken, thenthis is where you should come for ayummilicious treat. Dim lighting andcomfortable seating make up for most ofthis place’s likeability. Although, the crowd isnot that great but since, it’s comforting forevery pocket, many drink lovers end upspending their evenings here.

3 threesixtythree° - The OberoiGrand

The Oberoi Grand, 15, JawaharlalNehru Road, New Market Area,Kolkata, West Bengal 700013, India

+91-33-22492323

4 Tero Parbon

49C, Purna Das Road, HindustanPark, Gariahat, Kolkata, West Bengal700029, India

+91-33-24632016|+91-33-24640199

If you are on a holiday to Kolkata, you mustvisit this lovely restaurant. The flavours ofBengal are evident in every dish TeroParbon churns out. The chefs are extremelyparticular about the quality of the food andwill leave no stone unturned to offer you thebest bengali food yet. Spacious and sparselydecorated, the restaurant is inviting andcomfortable. You can enjoy your meal inpeace and give the foodie in you a real treat.You must try the Chital Machher Muitha(fish balls), Shorshe Ilish (mustard hilsa) andChingri Malai curry (prawns cooked in richcoconut milk). If you are a little new toBengali cuisine, it would be wise to take insuggestions from the staff. Head here for acomplete Bengali meal and add thatsomething special to your holiday.

5 Oh Calcutta

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10/3, 4th Floor, Forum Mall, ElginRoad, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700001,India

+91-33- 22837161

One of the best fine dining options to tryBengali cuisine, Oh! Calcutta is now apopular restaurant with a number of outletsall over the country. Not only is this awardwinning restaurant known for constantlychurning out mouth watering delicacies, it isalso involved in reviving ancient Bengalidelicacies by research andpractice. With opulent interiors andgood food to boot, this place makes for agood option for a candlelight dinner withyour someone special. Don't forget to trythe Aam Ilish (mango fish) and Gandharaj Bhetki (steamed lemony fish)over here! Do try the well-stocked bar at thissuperb restaurant.