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Kolkata,
three hundred years old, traces its history to the landing of Robert Clive
on the banks of the Hooghly beside three villages. It was from here the
monumental British Raj was launched in India. The capital of West Bengal, Kolkata is the major entry point.
If Delhi is the elegant capital of the nation, and Mumbai its major industrial city, then Kolkata ranks as the intellectual capital.
Poets, thinkers and film directors of international renown hail from this city where avant garde plays and art exhibitions go on show practically every day of the year.
Kolkata was the first headquarters of the East India Company, and some of its best known monuments were built by this British trading house. However, the city has, within its 300 years’ history, hosted other communities both from other parts of India as well as abroad – Chinese, Armenians, Jews – all of whom have left their imprint in pockets of Kolkata.
Sightseeing
in this fascinating city includes Raj Bhawan, the residence of the Governor
of Bengal; Victoria Memorial, the city’s landmark; Botanical Gardens,
which are notable for the oldest banyan tree, and orchid house; Armenian
Church; Marble Palace, one family’s collection of memorabilia; and the
Birla Planetarium. Darjeeling, the state’s most popular hill resort, is
a slice of England 2,134 metres above sea level. Surrounded by tea gardens
growing the prized leaf known as Darjeeling, the little town faces some of
the Himalaya’s highest peaks. Darjeeling is an abrupt variation from
the lowlands of West Bengal. Buddhism, being a major faith here, Darjeeling
and the nearby town of Kalimpong have, between them, several Buddhist
monasteries, chiefly of the Yellow Hat sect. Places to Visit
Kolkata
( Culcutta ) , Darjeeling,
Kalimpong,
Shanti Niketan,
SundarbanSpecial Offers on Hotels & Resort Booking in West Bengal
Travel Agents & Tour Operators offering Travel Packages in West Bengal