Patna

Introduction and history: The city of Patna is the capital of Bihar state, is one of the ancient cities in India. Its history and tradition traces back to the earliest dawn of civilization of more than 4000 years. The name of Patna was derived from ‘Pataliputra’, which has undergone many changes. Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of Maurya empire declared it as his capital during 4th century A.D. Followed by Chandragupta, his grandson Ashoka, transformed the capital into a stone construction around 273 BC. Much later, multiple Chinese travelers came to India in pursuit of knowledge and recorded their observation about Pataliputra in their travelogues. In the years that followed, the city saw many dynasties ruling the India, but it was unable to have the glory that it had under the Mauryas.

What to see and when to go: As an ancient city, Patna offers multiple tourist attractions. Starting with one of the oldest temples Hanuman Mandir other attractions include Kumhrar, Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb, Golghar, Patna Museum, State Secretariat Building, Patna Planetarium, Qila House, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Sadaqat Ashram and Nagholkothi. The best time to visit Patna is between October to March.

Accommodation: Being the capital city of Bihar, Patna offers a wide variety of accommodation. Multiple star hotels are available with price as high as 3000 rupees per day. Multiple budget hotels are available that provide basic accommodation facilities.

Mode of Transport: The Patna has its own Airport, which is connected with all major destinations in India. It is one of the most important railway junctions in Bihar, connecting it with multiple destinations in India. It is also connected by Road to nearby cities.

Related links:

• Patna official website: http://www.patna.nic.in/

See also (nearby places): Gaya, Nalanda, Gaya, Vaishali, Pawapuri, Rajgir, Maner, Vikramshila and Muzaffarpur are nearby attractions.

Nalanda

Introduction and history: The city of Nalanda is one of the ancient heritage cities of India. Located in southeast of Patna, the Capital City of Bihar, is a village called the ‘Bada Gaon’ (big village), where the world famous ruins of Nalanda University are found. It is believed that the university was found during 5th Century A.D, but exact date of creation is not yet determined. Nalanda is known as the ancient seat of learning where 2,000 Teachers and 10,000 Students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied at Nalanda, which is the first Residential International University of the World. In the later stages many monasteries and temples were built around this place. The famous Chinese traveler and scholar, Hieun-Tsang stayed here and has given a detailed description of the situations prevailing at that time.

What to see and when to go: The ruin of Nalanda University is the main attraction, which occupy an area of 14 hectares. This university was completely built with Red Bricks, which once upon a time stood as a symbol for spreading knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the world. The Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Silao and Surajpur Baragaon are some of the other attractions of this place. The best time to visit Nalanda is between October and March.
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Accommodation: As Nalanda is one of the important tourist destination for Buddists, travelers can find a wide variety of accommodation, including star category hotels offering excellent services to many budget hotels that provide basic accomodation facilities. Accommodation can start as low as 600 rupees per day.

Mode of Transport: The capital city Patna is the nearest Airport, which is located about 93 Kilometers from Nalanda. The city is well connected by train with major cities of Bihar with nearest railway station is Bakhtiyarpur located at 38 Kilometers distance. It is also connected by Road to Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Delhi and Kolkata.

Related links:

• Nalanda Digital library: http://www.nalanda.nitc.ac.in/

See also (nearby places): Gaya, Surya Mandir and Patna are nearby tourist attractions.

Sundarbans

Introduction And History : The Sundarbans national park is located at Piyali in the state of West Bengal. This place is very unique as it is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The name ‘Sundarban’ is a Bengali word which means ‘beautiful forest’. This National Park is located in World’s largest Delta formed by the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghana. It covers 10,000 square kilometres in total, where some portion of them is part of Bangladesh.

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What To See : Sundarbans is home to the Royal Bengal tigers, which is the major attraction for this place. It is also home for good number of spotted deers, wild pigs, monkeys, kingfishers, herons and eagles. The Sundarbans is also known for the Ridley Sea Turtles.It is also famous for having wide variety of plant life. Inside the Sundarbans there are mangrove scrub, salt water mixed forest, littoral forest, brackish water forest and swamp forest. The large floral population in Sundarbans includes trees like Dhundal, Genwa, Garjan, Passur and Kankara. The best time to visit Sundarbans is between September and May.

Accomodations : There are man famous hotels in the Sundarbans, which also offer cruise facilities. Almost all the Hotels in Sundarbans offer conference facilities, much to the delight of the business travellers. Accommodation can cost up to 3000 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport : Kolkata is the nearest Airport which is 112 Kilometres away from Sundarbans. The city of Kolkata is well connected with all major domestic and international locations. Canning is nearest railway station, located at a distance of 48 Kilometres. Road transportation is available from Kolkata, which are all near the Sundarbans and have access to the waterways leading to it. Sundarbans are accessible only by riverside waterways.

Related links:• NITPU web site: http://www.wb.nic.in/
• Project tiger website: http://projecttiger.nic.in/

See also (Nearby places): Sajnakhali Sanctuary, Bhagabatpur and Piyali are nearby tourist destinations.

Simlipal National Park

Introduction And History : The Simlipal National Park is located in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa, which is 320 Kilometres away from the capital city Bhubaneswar. In the initial days it was primarily a hunting ground for royal families of the state. In the year 1979 it was elevated as a national park. Sprawling over 2,750 square Kilometres, this park has a sanctuary and a tiger Reserve. This park has notable variations in topography and required vegetation to support large varieties of animals, birds and reptiles. This park has variety of wildlife which includes elephants, deer, leopards, gaur bison, sloth bears, reptiles, langurs, crocodiles and more than 200 species of bird life.

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What To See : This natural park has close to 100 tigers, which is the main attraction to watch out for. It has close to 500 species of plants belonging to 102 families. The scenic waterfalls can be enjoyed at Joranda, which is situated 493 Feet height. October to early June is the ideal time to visit this national park. To put in simple terms it offers a great opportunity for travellers to become a wild-life lover by exploring the virgin jungles around that.

Accomodations : Accommodation is primarily available in the form of forest reserve bungalows at Aranyanivas and Panthasala. There are private hotels available at reasonable price. The national park is reachable using local Jeeps from these two places.

Mode Of Transport : Kolkata is the nearest Airport, which is located at about 240 Kilometres away. Bhubaneswar is the next nearest Airport for travellers who want to explore the Orissa state. Baripada is the nearest railway station, located at 17 Kilometres from the park. National highways NH5 and NH6 meet near Baripada. The town of Baripada is the nearest town for the park.

Related links : Orissa Tourism web site: http://www.orissatourism.org/
See also (Nearby places): Bhubaneswar and Kolkata is the major nearby tourist attractions.

Santiniketan

Introduction And History :Santiniketan is a town located in Bolpur in West Bengal, which means ‘Adobe of peace’. It is mainly famous for because of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town called ‘Visva-Bharati’ University. This is the place where Tagore lived and written many of his classical work in literature. In 1863 Tagore’s father founded this place as an Ashram and 40 years later, Rabindranath started an open-air school at Shantiniketan that gradually developed into this international university. It also became a spiritual centre where people from all religions were invited to join for meditation and prayers.

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What To See : Shantiniketan offers multiple tourist attractions as a part of its rich culture. China Bhavan, Chhatimtala, Kala Bhavan, Patha Bhavan, Prayer Hall,Bichitra, Sangeet Bhavan and Uttarayan Complex are some of the attractions. It is also famous for various festivals like Poush Mela, Maghotsab, Basanta Utsab, Varsha Mangal and Sharodutsab. Travellers can visit this place except August, which happens to be a heavy rain month out there.

Accomodations :As this place attracts lot of tourists every year, there are multiple options for accommodation. There are tourist lodges and cottages run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation and Visva Bharati itself has a guesthouse. Multiple private hotels are available at Bolpur, which can offer accommodation starting from 350 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport : Kolkata is the nearest Airport, which is 136 Kilometres away. Multiple trains connect Bolpur with Kolkata and the Shantiniketan is just 2 Kilometres from the station. Ample direct buses are available from Kolkata on a daily basis. Local travel is primarily by cycle rickshaw.

Timings: Shantiniketan has got the following timings:
• Winter: 1400 to 1630 hours
• Summer: 1430 to 1730 hours
• During vacations: 0730 to 1100 hours

Related links:
• NITPU official site: http://www.wb.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.santiniketan.com/

See also (Nearby places): Fullora, Nalhati, Kankalitala,Bakreshwar, Massanjore, Kendubilwa, Nanoor and Tarapith are some of the nearby tourist attractions.

Pench National Park

Introduction And History :The Pench National Park is situated within the southern valleys of the Satpura ranges in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The park was named Pench due to the river Pench that splits this grand park into two sections. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1977 and its status change as a National Park in 1983. In 1992 it gained the protection of ‘Project Tiger’ and was declared the 19th Tiger Reserve of India. In 2001, the tiger count of the park stood at 55 wonderful specimens.

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What To See : Tigers, the major attraction, can be found inhabiting the area around the Pench River, since there is a very high concentration of prey. Leopards can be seen in the peripheral areas of Pench National Park though they can occasionally be seen in the deep forest too. If you are lucky you might be able to see Leopard Cats, Small Indian Civets and Palm Civets. Amongst the commonly seen wild animals at the wildlife sanctuary are Jungle Cats, Cheetal, Sambar, Nilgai, Jackals, Wild Dogs, Gaurs, Sloth Bear, Chinkara, Langoors. The best time to visit this amazing wild life home is from the month of March to June.

Accomodations :There are lodge and resort available for the comfort. However, do not miss out on the jungle camps and enjoy the nature by residing inside it.

Mode Of Transport :The nearest railhead is Seoni which is only 30 kilometres away from Pench National Park. Nagpur is only 92 kilometres and a two-hour drive from Pench. Nagpur is very well connected and one can reach Nagpur either by air or train from Delhi, Mumbai and other places in India. Pench is 190 kilometres from Jabalpur station.

Related links: Related Website: www.pench.net
See also (Nearby places):): Nagpur, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Tadoba National Park, Navegaon National Park, Ramtek, Sevagram Ashram, Pavnar, Khekranala and Ambhora.

Gangtok

Introduction And History : Gangtok is a modern city with traditional values and a peaceful setting amidst the looming majestic Himalayas. It is situated at an altitude of 1,437 meters (4,715 feet) in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range. At first glance, Gangtok looks like a crowded city. But as one ventured deeper into the city, one realizes the splendid way in which the city is designed. It embraces nature and Tibetan influences from a modern outlook. The city is famous for its Buddhist monasteries and Hanuman Tok temple. An excursion from Gangtok to the surrounding places is common and delightful. The city is a transit hub and has a hilly terrain, unlike many other cities, as it is situated in the Shivalik range. The most delightful experience that anyone can have here is a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga, visible to the east of the city, which is the third highest peak in the world!

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What To See : Hanuman Tok is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Enchey Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. IT is almost 200 years old and is situated around 3 km from the Gangtok city center. The monastery is said to have been built on the site blessed by the legendary tantric master Lame Druptab Karpn who was known for his ability to fly. Rumtek monastery and Institute of Tibetology along with the colourful and vibrant Ranka monastery are important places to visit.The best season to visit is from April to May. For clear and splendid panoramic views of the nearby mountains of the Shivalik range, visit during October to December.

Things to do: Make a trip to Pemayangtse Monastery to see its priceless antiques and idols, and to the nearby ruins of Rabdantse, the 17th century capital of Sikkim. The Deer park and Changu lake make fantastic excursions far from the city. The Do-drul Chorten is the oldest Stupa in Sikkim and is very important place of attraction here.With its golden tower or shikhara and prayer wheels it is in the serene setting of the Himalayas.

Accomodations : Prices are in the vicinity of 2500 rupees for luxury, 1300 rupees for mid-rung and 500 rupees for basic accommodation. Many types of hotels are available depending on the budget.

Mode Of Transport : The closest airport is at Bagdogra, 124 Kilometers in West Bengal and the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (125 Kilometers, which in turn is interlinked to all the major cities of India. Darjeeling is 139 Kilometers from Gangtok. The drive from these Bengali cities is made easy by jeeps and taxis.

Related links:
Tourist information: http://www.sikkiminfo.net
Official website: http://sikkim.gov.in/

See also (Nearby places):Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center,Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Saramsa Garden, Water Garden, Menmecho lake and Nathulla pass.

Digha

Introduction And History : Digha is a small beach town located in the Indian state of West Bengal. Digha has some of the cleanest and hardest beaches to proffer. The town was originally called Beerkul and was praised as the ‘Brighton’s of the East’ by Warren Hastings. It was founded by the British in the late 18th century and was developed into a popular beach town later. The town is popular in West Bengal and serves as a weekend destination to many people in Kolkata itself. The sea is shallow and swimming and driving are popular activities here. However, of late, severe sea erosion has occurred and it has resulted in the new Digha, a pleasant stretch of 2 Kilometers, lined with casuarinas plantations to help preserve the beauty of Digha.

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What To See : The New Digha beach is the neo-side of this small town with many beach resorts and a Science centre that is an important added value by the National council of science museums. Shankarpur beach is another untouched beach haven; this twin of Digha is 14km away. It is also an important fishing harbor.The best season to visit is from October to March.

Things to do: Make short excursions to Chandneshwar’s beautiful Shiva temple. The nearby Talasari beach is not to be missed. Junput is another beach, 40 Kilometers away which is a popular retreat for sun bathing. The State Government Fisheries Department, conducts fish cultivation and research here. The cottage crafts here are at a cheap price.

Accomodations : Many hotels and beach resorts have sprung around the town. Accommodation is available at very economical prices starting from 300 rupees to 1000 rupees per day. Beach resorts have prices starting from 1500 rupees and above.

Mode Of Transport : Digha is 5 hours travel from Kolkata. The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport located at Kolkata. There are every day trains from Shalimar railway station and Howrah station. From time to time special trains are also announced on holidays. Road transport is convenient as there is a regular bus service between Kolkata and Digha. You can even rent a tourist cab or even a car from Kolkata to reach Digha.

Related links:
• Tourist information: www.dighabeach.com
• West Bengal tourist site: http://www.wbtourism.com/

See also (Nearby places): Mandarmani, Midnapore and Kolkata.

Darjeeling

Introduction and Histroy :Darjeeling is located in the state of West Bengal, which is popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’. It is one of the most famous hill resorts in India, which is 7000 feet above the sea level. In 1835, Darjeeling was given to the East India Company by the King of Sikkim. Later it became very popular resort for the British due to its cold climate. This place produces the famous Darjeeling Tea, one of the world’s finest teas. It also has the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is one of the world heritage sites, listed by UNESCO.

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What To See :The Japanese peace pagoda is one of the major attractions which depict the various stages of the Buddha’s life. The Batasia loop in the Darjeeling Himalayan railway is an engineering marvel and is another attraction of this place. Other attractions include The Lloyd’s botanical gardens, Tenzing Norgay Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, The Dhirdham Temple and Senchal Lake. March to mid June and October to December is the best timeframe to visit Darjeeling. It also offers wide variety of activities, which include scenic walks,trekking and river rafting.

Accomodations :There are lot of hotels available depending on the budget. The hotels are spread well across the place and one can suite themselves as per his own preferred style of accommodation.

Mode Of Transport :Bagdogra is the nearest Airport, which is about 96 Kilometres away from Darjeeling. It is well connected with direct flight connections with Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati. The closest Railway Station is New Jalpaiguri about 88 Kilometres, which has direct connections with all major cities of the country. By road Darjeeling is well connected to Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and all of its surrounding hills.

Related links:
• Official website: http://www.darjeeling.gov.in/
• Darjeeling news: http://www.darjeelingnews.net/

See also (Nearby places):Tibetan Refuge Camp, Pashupati, Kurseong, Mirik, Siliguri and Kalimpong are the nearby tourist attractions.

Chilika

Introduction and Histroy :Chilika Lake is the pride of Orissa. It is the largest brackish Water Lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory indigenous birds on the Indian sub-continent. Birds as far as Siberia migrate to this beautiful lake and it is a top biodiversity hotspot. The lake is home to a number of endangered species of plants and animals. Notable among them are the Irrawadi dolphins and bottle-nosed dolphins from the nearby sea. It is said to be Asia’s largest salt-water lagoon, inland.

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What To See :Eco-tourism has been encouraged for preservation of this biodiversity hotspot. The lake is studded with a number of islands such as the Becon Island, with an architectural conical pillar built by Mr. Snodgrass, the then collector of Ganjam of the East India Company, on a mass of rock in the Rambha Bay near Ghantasila hill. It has scenic azure blue water spread surrounded by the Eastern Ghat. The Breakfast Island is home to rare plants and is appealing in flora. Honeymoon Island with clear waters has abundant red and green macro algae in the bed are also known for the limbless lizard, an endemic species found here. The best season to visit is from October to June

Things to do: Somolo and Dumkudi islands in the backdrop of picturesque Khalikote hill range, are inundated remnants of the Eastern Ghats with loaded flora and fauna and also known for the sighting of Irrawaddy Dolphins. Satapada village, at the new mouth of the lake, provides a fine-looking view of the Lake and also views of the Dolphins. Sadly, it is said that the tourists’ boats have been a reason for the accidental deaths of dolphins. Visit the Birds’ island and Parikud for an avian spectacle. Make a trip to the Kalijai Temple located on an island which is the abode of the Goddess Kalijai. The Shiva temple, Alupatna can also be visited here. A fair is held on the day of Makar Sakranti at the Kalijai temple here. Sand-Bar and Mouth of the Lake is an outstanding and un-explored stretch of 30 Kilometers of empty beach which separates the Lake from the Sea.

Accomodations :Hotels are available at a very cheap price. On the shores of the lake, rest houses and bungalows are available.

Mode Of Transport :Nearest airport is at Bhubaneshwar. The nearest railheads are at Balugaon and Rambha which are directly connected to other major cities. Both Barkul and Rambha are situated on the National Highway Number 5 (NH-5). Regular buses ply between Bhubaneshwar and Balugaon (for Barkul) and Rambha from where autos and cycle-rickshaws are available.

Related links:• Chilika tourist information: www.chilika.com
• Orissa tourist information: http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/

See also (Nearby places):Puri, Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Narayani , Gopalpur-on-Sea , and Taptapani Sulphur Spring.

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