Thursday, July 24, 2008

West Bengal tours

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Calcutta, 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, Calcutta is the major entry point. Poets, thinkers and film directors of international renown hail from this city. Some of the best known monuments of the British Raj were built here. 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 meters 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.





Calcutta
Grown from mangrove swamps, Calcutta is the largest metropolis in India. Calcutta's role in the national economy is of crucial importance as the Gateway to Eastern India. Ships were the beginning of Calcutta's history & the river Hoogly was the key to the city's fortunes. Vishnupur is famous for the exquisite 17th & 18th century terracotta temples, Seat of classical music. The Stylized, "Bankura horse" symbolic of excellence in rural handicrafts is native to this district. Belur Math is a modern temple within the grounds of the Ramakrishna Mission. Dakshineshwar Temple, dedicated to Kali is built in the architectural style of Bengal.
Area: 187 sq. kms. Altitude: 5.8 meters. Climate (deg c): Summer- Max. 41.7, Min. 38.1. Winter- Max. 29.3, Min. 9.6. Rainfall: 158 cms June to Mid September. Clothing: Tropical. Languages Spoken: Bengali, English, Hindi. Season: Throughout the year.
Places Of Interest: Belur Math, Botanical Garden, Dakshineshwar Temple, Howarh Bridge, Jain Temple, Kali Temple, Marble Palace, Nakhoda Mosque, National Library, Rabindra Sarobar, Raj Bhavan, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Sahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument), St.Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial, Zoological Gardens.
Museums an Art Galleries:Academy of Fine Arts, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, Birla Planetarium, Gurusaday Museum, Nehru Children's Museum, Rabindra Bharati Museum, State Archaeological Gallery, Victoria Memorial Hall Museum.
Excursions: Digha Beach- 185 kms, Santiniketan- 213 kms, Bakkhali Beach- 132 kms, Chandannagar- 39 kms, Diamond Harbour- 51 kms, Sundarban- 131 kms, Tribani- 48 kms, Gangasagar- 140 kms, Malda- 340 kms, Kalna- 82 kms, Navadweep- 110 kms, Mayapur- 134 kms, Murshidabad- 221 kms, Vishnupur- 152 kms, Belur Math- 16 kms, Dakshineshwar Temple- 20 kms, Botanical Gardens- 8 kms, Murshidabad- 221 kms, Shantiniketan- 167 kms.
Reach - By Air: Well Connected with the major cities.By Rail: Howrah and Sealdah are the main railway stations in Calcutta. Calcutta is well Connected with the major cities.By Road: Well Connected with the major cities.





Sunderbans
The biggest colony of the `Royal Bengal Tigers' - the Sundarbans. These evergreen mangrove forests pulsate with a myriad forms of life. Above the Kingfisher and White-bellied Sea eagle add a brilliant burst of colour. The sea creeps in at high tide. The ebbing waters reveal nature so alive on the glistening mud flats. The land is split by numerous rivers and water channels all emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that Bonbibi, the goddess of the forest, protects the wood-cutters, honey-collectors and fishermen on their hazardous missions. For, as the saying
goes, `Here the Tiger is always watching you'. Some people, believe that they could," however, have got their name from the profusion of Sundari trees. Some wild creatures are spotted deer, boar, monkey, crocodile, python, Salvatore lizards, and a wide range of water birds.
Area: 2608 sq. kms. Altitude: Sea Level. Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max. 42, Min. 37. Winter- Max. 29, Min. 9.2. Clothing: Summer- Tropical/Cotton, Winter- Woolens. Languages spoken: Bengali, Hindi, English. Best season: September to March. July to September for Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Calcutta- 131 kms which is connected with all major cities in India. By Rail: From Calcutta there are suburban train to Canning and buses to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where Motor launch services are available for Sundarbans.By Road: Namkhana- 105 kms, Sonakhali- 100 kms, Raidighi- 76 kms, Canning- 64 kms, Najat- 92 kms.





Jaldapara Sanctuary
Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary situated in Alipurduar Sub-Division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal was constituted in the year of 1941 for the protection of wild life, particularly single horned Rhinos. River Torsha runs through this river rain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses. The wild life, in addition to the famous single horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deers, swamp deers, hog deers, wild pigs, bisons and a number of birds, pea-fowl etc.
Area: 100 sq. kms. Altitude: 61 meters. Best season: October to May. (Particularly March & April, when new grass is growing). Clothing: Summer- Cottons, Winter- Woolens. Languages spoken: Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, English.
Excursions: Nearby Tea Gardens and- Tribal Village, TOTOPARA.
Reach - By Air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport-Shiliguri to Bagdogra - 13 kms.By Rail: All the mail & express trains stop at Birpara/Hasimara railway stations both are 20 kms away from the sanctuary.By Road: Jaldapara is connected with Darjeeling and Shiliguri. By Road: Darjeeling-Shiliguri-Jalpaiguri- ( via New Teesta Bridge)- Mainaguri- Dhupguri- Gairkata- Birpara- Madarihat- 224 kms.





Bakkhali
The second popular sea resort of West Bengal is Bakkhali , situated only 132 kms away from Calcutta , It is quiet and charming.
Reach - By Rail: There is also a train service from Sealdah station upto Diamond Harbour. Namkhana is 58 km from diamond harbour. Kumardhubi- 10kms and Barakar- 12kms are the nearest railway stations. Asansol Junction is about 35 kms from here.By Road: Dhanbad- 50 kms.





Shantiniketan
Shantiniketan is an International University founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore where the cultures of the East & the West could meet and mingle. Named Vishva-Bharati, the University represents Indian traditions while incorporating the best of other cultures. Shantiniketan, the abode of peace, was initially an Ashram or hermitage founded in 1863 by Maharishi Devendranath Tagore. In 1901 his son, Rabindranath converted it into an experimental open-air school with just five students. He widened the scope of studies which gradually formed
the nucleus of a University. Another interesting feature about Santiniketan is that splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals and paintings of Rabindranath, Nandlal Bose, Ramkinkar, Bindobehari Mukhopadhyaya and others adorn the campus.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max.39.4, Min.34.3. Winter- Max.15.7, Min.12.1. Rainfall: 125 cms ( June to September ). Heavy in July\August. Season: Throughout the year.
Places Of Interest: The places of interest are mainly on the campus and have a distinctive feature of some of the best in Indian art and culture. China Bhavan, Chhatimtala, Kala Bhavan, Patha Bhavan, Prayer Hall, Bichitra, Sangeet Bhavan, Uttarayan Complex, Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi, The Bichitra ( or, Rabindra Bhavan ), Kala Bhavan, Bichitra (Rabindra Bhavan), Deer Park, Uttarayan Gardens.
Excursions: Fullora- 40 kms, Nalhati- 104 kms, Kankalitala- 7 kms, Massanjore- 78 kms, Kendubilwa- 42 kms, Nanoor- 23 kms, Tarapith- 80 kms.
Entertainment:Festivals accompanied by songs, dance and dramas are held here throughout the year.
Shopping: Grameen (Bolpur), Sarvodaya Ashram (Bolpur), (Handicrafts & handlooms) Vishwa Bharati Shilpa Sadan (Shantiniketan), Shantiniketan Co-operative Stores (Shantiniketan).
Reach - By Air: The nearest airport is Calcutta- 213 kms.By Rail: The nearest railhead is Bolpur- 2 kms.By Road: Calcutta- 213 kms, Durgapur- 56 kms, Sarnath- 197 kms.





Vishnupur
Terracotta, metal ware & temples characterise Vishnupur. The temples are built mostly of brick & at times, of laterite. Clay & laterite are the only building materials available here besides wood and bamboo. The architecture is modeled on the pattern of Bengali huts built of bamboo & mud and roofed with thatch. Vishnupur will remain ever famous for its distinct style of music, i.e. the Vishnupur Gharana, if not anything else. The name of Jadu Bhatt, the music teacher to Rabindranath Tagore, is remembered with respect to this day. A discerning visitor may find traces of the past splendour and glory that was Vishnupur in its superb temples and unique handicrafts.
Area: 20.6 sq. kms. Altitude: 70 meters. Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max.44, Min.28. Winter- Max.29, Min.21. Rainfall: 14.3 cms (July-August). Clothing: Summer- Tropical, Winter- Light woolens. Languages spoken: Bengali, English. Best Season: September to March.
Places Of Interest: Ras Mancha, Dalmadal Cannon, Jor Bangla Temple, Madan Mohan Temple, Malleswar Temple, Lalji Temple, Mrinmoyee Mandir, Shyam Rai Temple, Malla King's Fort, Jogesh Chandra Pura Kirti Bhavan Museum.
Excursions: Jairambati- 43 kms, Kamarpukur- 48 kms, Mukutmanipur: 82 kms, Bahulara- 25 kms, Panchmura- 21 kms, Susunia Hills- 50 kms.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport Calcutta is 201 kms away from Vishnupur.By Rail: Vishnupur, the railway station is connected with Calcutta (Howrah).By Road: Calcutta- 151 kms, Durgapur- 81 kms, Purulia- 145 kms, Bankura- 34 kms, Mukutmanipur.



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Darjeeling
Darjeeling is nested in a setting of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, Tibetan Monasteries, Himalayan Tribal Life, Pine Trees etc. Which make her qualify as the queen of the hill stations.Altitude: 2134 meters. Climate (deg C): Summer- Max. 14.9, Min. 8.6. Winter- Max. 6.11, Min. 1.50. Best Season: April to middle June and September to November. Clothing: Summer- Light Woolens & Tropical. Winter- Heavy Woolens.
Places Of Interest: Tiger Hill- 11 kms, Ghoom Monastery- 8 kms; Batasia Loop- 5 kms, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute- 2 kms, Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway- 8 kms, Tibetan Refugees Center, Lebong Race Course, Natural History Museum, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Lloyds Botanical Garden, Observatory Hill, Dhirdham Temple, Senchal Lake.
Excursions: Sandakphu- 58 kms, Tonglu, Phalut.
Reach - By Air: Bagdogra Airport- 96 kms is directly connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Patna, Guwahati and other places of North-East India.By Rail: Directly connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Madras, Bombay, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Tirupati, Trivandrum, Cochin.By Road: Calcutta- 651 kms, Gangtok- 100 kms, Kalimpong- 51 kms.





Sagardwip (Sagar Island)
Gangasagar Mela, the largest fair in west Bengal held near the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal, draws millions of pilgrims from all over India. They come for a holy dip on Makar Sankranti (last day of the Bengali Month) and after their obligations at the Kapilmuni Temple nearby.Reach:Namkhana- 105 kms.Namkhana to Chemaguri by launch across the river
Muriganga from Chamaguri to Gangasagar by road- 10kms. One may cross the Muriganga from Herwood Point near Kakdip to Kaachubrie also. Kakdwip is 85 kms. from lot No. ',to Kachuberia and bus service from Kechuberia to Gangasagar-30 kms.





Raijang Bird Sanctuary
Altitude: 30 meters above sea level. Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max. 25, Min. 21. Winter- Max. 23, Min. 09. Rainfall: 155 cms (July to September). Clothing: Summer- Cottons, Tropical. Winter- Woolens. Languages spoken: Bengali, Hindi, English. Best season: Throughout the year but preferably October to March.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport Calcutta- 425 kms and Malda- 76 kms.By Rail: Malda Town- 76 kms is the nearest convenient railhead connected with the major cities.By Road: Calcutta- 425 kms, Malda- 76 kms, Shiliguri- 181 kms.





Plassey
A place of great historical importance. Here in the year 1757 a battle was fought between the British and the last Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Clive the British Chief defeated Nawab - Siraj-ud-daula by unfair means. Siraj-ud-dula was killed and Mirzaffar became the Nawab. The historic battle field is till preserved. A memorial was erected by Lord Curzon at the mango groves where the actual battle took place.
Reach: Calcutta- 172 kms, Calcutta, Bahrampore- 43 kms. By Road: Calcutta, Bahrampore.





Kurseeong
The word Kurseong means the place of White Orchid. Because of its lower elevation, Kurseong enjoys a milder and very healthy climate throughout the year. Kurseong means the places of White Orchid. Because of its lower elevation, Kurseong enjoys a milder and very healthy climate throughout the year.Altitude: 4860 feet (2458 meters). Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 32, Min 19. Winter- Max 15, Min 6. Rainfall: 160 inches annually
(mid June to August). Best season: March to mid June & September to mid December.
Places Of Interest: Eagle's Crag, Deer Park, Forest Museum, Giddhapahar Mandir, Ambotika Shiv Mandir, Makaibari Tea Estate, St.Mary's Hill, Dowhill, Baggaura, Chimney, Kettle Valley Picnic Spot, Namsu, Netaji Kothi.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport Bagdogra- 60 kms, is connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati & other places of north-eastern India.By Rail: Kurseong itself is a railway station. New Jalpaiguri- 57 kms from Kurseong, is directly connected to the major places.By Road: Shiliguri- 51 kms, Guwahati- 560 kms, Calcutta- 636 kms, Delhi- 1359 kms, Kathmandu- 621 kms.





Kalimpong
Just 51 kms east of Darjeeling is situated the picturesque town of Kalimpong, the former headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor. Situated at an altitude of 1250 meters between the Deolo and Durbindra Hills, Kalimpong is an ideal place for a quiet holiday amidst gently rolling hills and deep valleys at the foot of the mighty Himalayas.Altitude: 1250 meters. Languages spoken: Gorkha, Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, English.
Places Of Interest: Durpin Dara, Shri Ganeshmoni Pradhan Nursery, Standari Nursery, Shri L.B.Pradhan Nursery, Gouripur House, Swiss Welfare Dairy, Tibetan Monastery.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport Bagdogra- 80 kms is connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati & other places of north-east.By Rail: Two nearest railway stations are New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Shiliguri where NJP is directly connected by rail with the important places.By Road: Calcutta- 651 kms, Guwahati- 513 kms, Delhi- 1312 kms and other major cities.





Durgapur
Durgapur projects an image of an industrialized India. It is the third integrated steel plant of Hindustan Steel Limited and occupies an area of 6.47 sq. kms. Founded under the Colombo Plan Mission which visited India in April, 1955, the plant has been instrumental in changing the rural face of Durgapur into a vast industrial complex comprising public and private sectors.Area: 41 sq. kms. Altitude: 68.9 meters. Temperature (deg C):
Summer- Max.46.1, Min. 37.8. Winter- Max. 32.2, Min. 29.4. Rainfall: (150 cms June to September). Clothing: Summer- Tropical, Winter- Light woolens. Languages spoken: Bengali, English. Best Season: Throughout the year.
Places Of Interest: Alloy Steel Project- 10 kms, Mining and Allied Machinery Corporation- 6 kms, Durgapur Coke Ovens Project Limited- 6 kms, A.V.B.- 6 kms, Durgapur Barrage- 3 kms, Durgapur Steel Plant- 10 kms, Philips Carbon Black & Sankey Wheels.
Excursions: Asansol- 42 kms, Chittranjan- 77 kms, Jaidev- 22 kms, Shantiniketan- 61 kms, Vishnupur- 72 kms.
Reach - By Air: Nearest national and international airport is Calcutta- 176 kms.By Rail: Durgapur itself has a railway station.By Road: Calcutta- 176 kms, Patna- 414 kms, Asansol- 50 kms, Shantiniketan- 62 kms, Vishnupur- 72 kms.





Digha
Beach-on-the-bay of West Bengal, Digha, has the whispery, languid, soft-focus, charm which is so graciously bengali : sighing casuarinas, ponies nodding on the beach, prolonged meals in the flavorsome sweet-&-salt idiom of the state and timeless days and nights of nothing to do but unwind and find yourself.
Reach - By Air: Calcutta is the nearest airport- 210 kms.By Rail: Contai Road- 37 kms is the nearest railway station.By Road: Calcutta-Howrah-Mechheda-Norghat-Contai-Ramnagar-Digha- 185 kms, Calcutta-Deulti-Kolaghat-Kharagpur-Digha- 243 kms, Tarakeswar- 355 kms.





Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Tiger Reserve was set up in the year of 1982-83 at the north eastern corner. This picturesque reserve with its proigous Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, is dissected by numerous rivulets. The varitable flora and fauna of these wet forests attracts tourists and nature lovers every year. This part of the country is characterized by its high degree of plant & animal bio-diversity where 60% species are endemic to the area. The Generic diversity of mammals is second highest among all the tiger reserves of India. Astonishing bio-diversity of animals comprise of a reach avifauna of more than 230 identified species, 67 mammals (out of which 21 are endangered), 36 species of reptiles (10 numbers are endangered). Apart from Bengal Tiger there are plenty of Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet, Palm Civet etc. The Hornbills including greater Pied Hornbill abound the area. One of the rarest bird of India the Black-necked Crane has been sighted in the Reserve during the early winter. The migratory beautiful Black Stork is a visitor of the area. The monsoon ends and beautiful Minivets, Sultan tits arrive, during summer rare Ashyminivet is also sighted. http://indiatravelplaces.com

Tripura

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Tripura is a tiny state in the North-East of the country. It has extensive international border with Bangladesh and, in fact, 85% of its perimeter is international border with rest being common boundary with Assam and Mizoram to the East. This ancient land of mysterious past represents a composite culture with several ethnic groups residing in the state. Though the cultural heritage of one community differs from the other, the manifested efforts have mingled them into a single whole, giving birth to a unique cultural genre. Tripura can be termed as a 'laboratory' of exotic cultural synthesis. Tripura, quite off the beaten track, is a storehouse of tribal crafts and culture as well as music and dancing. Tripura has a large number of attractive tourist sites including religious sites of Hindu’s and Buddhists.
Considering the proximity of Tripura with Bangladesh, it is more convenient for foreign nationals to enter Tripura via Bangladesh with an appropriate visa.





Agartala
In the centre of this patch of intense greenery is the capital, Agartala, where gracious buildings were once the palaces of Tripura’s royal family. Rich in flora & fauna, the legendary state of Tripura is a fascinating world in itself. Agartala gained prominence when Maharaja Krishna Manikya shifted his capital here in the 19th century.Area: 10,500 sq kms. Altitude: 1280 metres. Temprature (deg C): Summer- Max. 35, Min. 21.7. Winter- Max. 25, Min. 10.1. Rainfall: 22.4 cms (June to August). Clothings: Cottons in Summer, Woolens in Winter. Best Season: September to March. Languages Spoken: Bengali, Kokborak, Hindi & English.-->
Places Of Interest: Ujjayanta Palace, Kunjavan Palace, Jagannath Temple, BenuVan Vihar, Maharaja Veer Vikram College, Old Agartala, Buddha Vihar, Rabindra Kanan, State Museum.
Excursions: Sephahijala Wild-life Sanctuary- 33 kms, Rudra Sagar (Neer Mahal)- 60 kms, Kamala Sagar- 27 kms, Bramhakund- 48 kms, Udaipur- 52 kms, Deotamura- 70 kms, Dumbur- 110 kms, Pilak- 100 kms, Jampui Hills-250 kms, Unakoti- 200 kms, Tripura Undari Temple- 67 kms.
Reach - By Air: Connected with Calcutta, Guwahati, Delhi.By Rail: The Nearest railway stations are Kumarghat- 160 kms and Dharama Nagar- 200 kms. connected with Lumding & Guwahati which are connected with the major stations.By Road: Silchar- 288 kms, Guwahati- 599 kms, Shillong- 499 kms, Dharmanagar- 200 kms. http://indiatravelplaces.com

Sikkim

Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Sikkim is a Himalayan wonderland with its lovely views and exotic orchids, and its forest-trails. A virtual Shangrila overlooked by Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, Sikkim is attractive equally for the sightseer, the adventure sports enthusiast and those interested in Buddhism and Tibetology. Buddhism is the predominant religion here, with many fine old monasteries rich with frescoes, religious paintings on silk and statues of the Buddha’s various incarnations. In Gangtok, the delightfully quaint
capital, are pagoda like roofs of many buildings and the presence of crimson robed monks in the bazaars. The Institute of Tibetology, the only one of its kind in the world, was set up by the erstwhile ruler to promote research on Mahayana Buddhism. Lower down the hill is the famed orchid sanctuary where 500 species of orchids indigenous to Sikkim are cultivated. Sikkim offers several treks that lead through pine forests, through picturesque valleys, monasteries and to mountain lakes. It is also the base for mountaineering expeditions and the rivers Teesta and Rangeet offer excellent river rafting. A number of good hotels and lodging houses exist in Gangtok.





Gangtok
Entry to Sikkim is most convenient by coach, taxi or helicopter. The state of Sikkim lies in the shadow of the mighty Kanchenjunga and its capital, Gangtok, is a picturesque mountain clinging town with monasteries, parks, pagoda style houses and colorful bazaars.Altitude: 5800 ft (1,547 meters). Climate (deg.c.): Summer- Max. 20.7, Min. 13.1. Winter- Max. 14.9, Min. 7.7.Clothing: Summer- Light woolens, Winter- Heavy woolens. Languages spoken: Sikimese, English. Best Season: March to late May, October to Mid-December.
Places Of Interest: Chorten, Deer park, Enchey Monastery, Government Cottage Industries Institute, Orchid Sanctuary, Research Institute of Tibetology, Tashi View Point, Dharma Chakra Centre (Rumtek) and Saramsa Garden. Proposed Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok.
Excursions: Bakkhim, Dzongri, Pemayangtse Monastery.
Reach - By Air: Nearest Airport is Bagdogra- 124 kms.By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Siliguri- 114 kms, New Jalpaiguri (NJP) 125- kms.By Road: Siliguri- 114 kms, Calcutta- 725 kms, Darjeeling- 139 kms and Guwahati- 589 kms.





Pemayangtse
Pemayangtse in Sikkim nestles close to Kanchenjunga. Pemayangtse is where 6000 ft above sea level one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries is located. The Pemayangtse monastery is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim and is the headquarters of the Nyingma sect. Many priceless antique idols are housed her containing some magnificent sculptures. The monastery suggest the feel of space and airiness From the monastery one can also see the ruins of the first palace of the Chogyals at Gezing where only a chorten and a bit of masonry have been left, though excavations could reveal more. On one side of the monastery are some typical old stone and wooden dwellings decorated with wooden carvings. The Pemayangtse monastery, an oasis of serenity and a repository of centuries-old wisdom and scriptures, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and passes, is where you feel time is frozen in a frame of yesteryears. The evergreen shrubs of rhododendron, with those large clusters of trumpet shaped flowers can be seen blooming everywhere, and yaks and musk deer and red pandas follow you around the terrain.

Orissa

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Orissa has a chequered history which has successfully assimilated and synthesized the best of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu cultures. Orissa or Kalinga as it was then called was a settlement of non-Aryan and Aryan settlers. It was here that the famous Battle of Kalinga was fought which made King Ashoka forsake war. He became a follower of Buddhism and spread the spirit of ahimsa and peace. It is to the Kharavela period that Orissa owes its Jain art and architectural tradition. The sophisticated architectural style of the Jain Monastic caves at Udaygiri and Khandagiri are a story unto themselves. To understand all that a Hindu temple stands for one must realize that temples in India are not merely abodes of deities but a shradhanjali (offering) to the most sacred. Here a ’darshan’ is a communion between man and his creator. Hence, Orissan temples are characterized by
profuse decorations, exquisite carving and ornamentation covering the entire visible area with Gods & Goddesses, kings and queens, animals and flower motifs ranged against each other. They radiate the artist’s inner love and dedication. Orissa is probably the only state where one can study temple architecture in all its successive stages of development.


Enchanting Odissi
Odissi, is the traditional dance form of Orissa and probably owes its origin to the temple dances of the devadasis (temple dancers). Possibly the oldest classical dance form, one must sit through a performance to experience its sheer lyrical grace. Mentioned in inscriptions, it is depicted on sculptures, in temples like the Brahmeswara and the dancing hall of the Sun temple at Konark. In fact in the 1950’s the entire Odissi dance form was revitalized with the help of the Abhinaya Chandrika and sculpted dance poses found in temples. Orissa enjoys a rich tradition of tribal and folk dances as well. Chhau from Mayurbhanj District is a martial dance form reminiscent of Orissa’s earlier maritime tradition. Other folk and tribal dances include Danda Nata, a daylong performance ending in acrobatic sequences, Ranapa or dances in which dancers perform balancing acts on bamboo stilts.


Rare Artistry
Land of dexterous artists and craftsmen, Orissa possesses a rich artistic tradition which enjoyed liberal patronage from the temples as well as the nobility. Diverse and varied, the craftsmen artists of Orissa still retain their indigenousness, trying to refine it to suit a changing sensibility. Be it the appliqué artists of Pipli or the stone carvers of Orissa, proud descendants of sculptors whose hands chiseled the unsurpassable designs on Orissa’s famous temples, the essential conflict between the traditional and the modern is gradually being resolved. The progressive attitudes of the Orissan artists coupled with hereditary skills zealously perpetuated, has given traditional Orissan arts and crafts like weaving of Ikat, Bomkai and Sambalpuri Saris, stone carving, appliqué and embroidery, silver filigree work, patta painting and palm leaf engraving, brass and bell metal work, lacquered boxes and toys and basket weaving, a unique place in the connoisseur’s dictionary the world over. A visit to the Raghurajpur artists village and Pipli, near Puri, to see the artists at work is quite a rewarding experience.


Gourmet Delights
The green coconut with its pure water and the abundant sea food from Chilika lake and the sea are as Orissan as pizzas are Italian. Delicious prawns, crabs, sweet water fish, lamb, chicken and eggs cooked by Orissan cooks are widely available gourmet fares, while specialty restaurants serve almost everything. Milk preparations like Rasgulla, Rasmalai, Khirmohan, Rasabali, Kalakand are delicious. Pithas, sweet and savoury are served as local snacks. This is a traditional preparation requiring skill and care. Pithas like Mandas, Kakara, Chhunchipatra are usually domestic preparations much loved by the Orissans.


The Ethnic World of Orissa
Orissa is a modern state with an ethnic past that is still vibrant. Most of her tribes are to be found in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar Phulbani, Sambalpur, Kalahandi and Koraput. As many as 62 tribes exist in Orissa - Kondhs, Koyas, Bondas, Gadabas, Santals, Juangs, Oraon, to name only a few are some important tribes who have retained their individuality and their close bond with nature. From the last week of January to early February, the Tribal Fair at Bhubaneshwar brings together the ethnic world; their art, craft and culture is on display. For those desirous of a closer look trips are arranged by many tour operators from Bhubaneshwar and other cities but it is a hardier trail and more time consuming.





Bhubaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar is the temple city of the east. The ancient city of Bhubaneshwar (Bhuban being world and Iswar God) is a walk down centuries of temple architecture. It is probably the only city in the world that enables an authentic over-view of the stages of development of Hindu religious architecture. In the fast moving world of today these temples are a gentle reminder of the splendor, the heritage that was once India. Regular dances by the ’Devadasis’ or divine servant girls, rituals and rites, recital of hymns were all an integral part of temple
culture. Temples in Bhubaneshwar are built on a common plan as prescribed by Hindu norms. All visible parts of a temple are sculpted with motifs of priests, kings, courtiers, pilgrims, celestial dancers, couples in embrace, birds, animals or scenes from religious epics and legends.
Area: 65.03 sq km. Altitude: 45 meters (146 ft.) Temperature (deg C): Summer - Max.38, Min.27.1. Winter - Max.28.2, Min.15.2. Rainfall: Mid June-September 60 inches (152 cms). Languages Spoken: Oriya, Bengali, Hindi, English. Best season: October to March.
Excursions: Dhauligiri- 8 kms, Udaygiri Khandagiri- 8 kms, Nandan Kanan Zoo- 25 kms, Chandipur- 16 kms, Pipli- 29 kms, Atri Springs- 42 kms, Sun Temple, Konark- 65 kms.
Reach - By Air: Connected with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Varanasi, Raipur and Vishakhapatnam.By Rail: Directly connected with Calcutta, Puri, Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Trivandrum.By Road: Calcutta- 480 kms, Chilka Lake (Barkul)- 130 kms, Cuttack- 32 kms, Gopalpur- 184 kms, Konark- 64 kms, Madras- 1225 kms, Puri- 62 kms.

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Nagaland

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Nagaland is a world apart. Nature resplendent in all her full-bodied glory. Exquisitely picturesque, vibrantly colourful, all lush fertile, the land represents unimaginable beauty, created by nature, to take your breath away... The Nagas, inhabitants of Nagaland, are said to belong to the indo-mongoloid stock, a race whose presence was first noted ten centuries before Christ, at the time of the compilation of the Vedas. Nagaland is bounded by Assam in the west, Burma on the East, Arunachal Pradesh & Assam on the North and Manipur in the South. The state consists of seven districts with sixteen tribes
& sub-tribes inhabiting it. The Naga tribes are generally full of folklore. They are fond of seasonal songs, solo, duet and choric. Here man has to fight nature all the time. The struggle however, makes people tough. The people here are strongly built, simple, honest and hard working.
Altitude: 1495 meters above sea-level. Main Rivers: Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu, Milak, Zungki and Tizu. Highest Peak: Saramati (3877 meters above sea-level). Area: 16,527 Sq. Kms. Tribes: Angami, Aao, Sema, Lotha, Rengma, Chakhesang, Sangtam, Konyak, Phom, Chang, Yimchunger, Khiamungan, Zeliang, Kuki and Pochury. Climate (deg. C.): Summer- Max.31, Min.16. Winter- Max.24, Min.4. Average Rainfall: 250 cms (100). Clothing: Summer- Cotton Tropical, Winter- Heavy Woolens. Languages Spoken: Nagamese, Local dialects, Hindi, English etc. Best Season: October to May.





Kohima
Kohima, State Capital & hill station is situated at an altitude of 1495 meters above sea-level. It is a beautiful town presenting wide panoramic views. Mokokchung is the centre of the culture & traditions of the Ao Nagas.
Places Of Interest: War Cemetery, The State Museum Sales Emporium, Cultural Center, Zoological Park, Cathedral, Kohima Village (Bara Basti).
Excursions: Khonoma village-20 kms, Mokokchung- 160 kms.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport Dimapur- 74 kms.By Rail: Dimapur- 74 kms, the nearest railhead, is directly connected to Guwahati which in turn is directly connected to all the major places. Guwahati - Dimapur.By Road: Dimapur- 74 kms, Imphal- 145 kms, Guwahati- 390 kms, Shillong- 490 kms, Calcutta- 1,516 kms.


Dimapur
Situated at an altitude of 195 meters above sea-level is the gateway of Nagaland. This flourishing town is also the commercial centre of the State. Dimapur is the main rail-head in Nagaland. Dimapur is the only airport in Nagaland. Indian Airlines operates Boeing services from both Calcutta and Delhi on every alternate day.
Places Of Interest: The Ruins of Medieval Kachari Kingdom, Ruzaphema- 5 kms, Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary- 37 kms, Sales Emporium.
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Mizoram

The youngest state Mizoram, formerly known as the Lushai Hills is situated in the North Eastern Corner of India. It is flanked by Bangladesh and Tripura in the West and Burma in the East. Scenic beauty combined with mild climate adds to the charm of a generous people. The beauty of Mizo society is that westernization mixes harmoniously with local traditions. Music and dance is the sprit of their culture. Mizoram is also a botanist's paradise as there are many kinds of orchids, wildflowers and herbs found over here. http://indiatravelplaces.com
Altitude: 3715 feet. Temperature (Deg C): Summer - Max. 29, Min. 20. Winter - Max. 21, Min. 10. Rainfall: Approx. 200 cms to 350 cms. ( May to September ). Best Season: September to May.Places Of Interest: Aizwal Town, Mizoram State Museum, The Weaving Centre, Bora Bazar, Luangmual Handicrafts Centre, Zoo.
Excursions: Tamdil- 60 kms, Champai- 192 kms, Lunglei- 235 kms, Tawi- 140 kms, Saiha - 360 kms, Phawngpuri, Dampa, Kolasib.
Reach - By Air: Aizwal is connected with Guwahati, Silchar & Calcutta which in turn is connected to major cities.By Rail: Nearest railway station is Silchar (Assam)- 180 kms from Aizwal and Guwahati- 397 kms from Silchar is connected with the most of the major places in India.By Road: Guwahati- 506 kms, Imphal- 374 kms, Kohima- 497 kms, Shillong- 430 kms, Agartala- 443 kms. http://indiatravelplaces.com

Meghalaya

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Meghalaya is one of the country’s newest states with its capital at Shillong. For long a summer retreat of the British, the beautifully kept golf course and several English country cottages testify to another influence besides the local one. Meghalaya or the 'abode of the cloud' is meant for Gods to live in with its pure atmosphere. Its sweet water and peaceful environment would attract even Gods. It invites you with open arms to spend some time in its lap of nature. Tucked away in the hills of eastern sub-Himalayas Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states in India. Nature has blessed her with abundant rainfall, sun-shine, virgin forests, high plateaus, tumbling waterfalls, crystal clear rivers, meandering streamlets and above all with sturdy, intelligent and hospitable people. Beautiful lakes and falls, hillside cottages, a large university, and the popular Bara Bazar are quaint aspects of this town.





Shillong
The place, the people and the climate all combine to create an atmosphere to make Shillong an ideal holiday resort throughout the year. Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on earth is only 56 kms away from Shillong. Shad Sukmynsiem means dance with joyful heart. It is a thanks giving dance, held in shillong in the month of April every year.Altitude: 1496 meters. Climate (deg C): Summer - Max 23.3, Min 15. Winter - Max 15.6, Min 3.9. Season: Throughout the year.
Places Of Interest: Ward Lake, Botanical Garden & Museum, Meghalaya State Museum, Lady Hydari Park & Mini Zoo, Crinoline Falls & Swimming Pool, Wei Tdem (Sweet Falls), Shillong Peak, Elephanta Falls, Arunachal Pradesh Museum, Iewduh Bara Bazar, Butterfly Museum, Bishop & Beadon Falls, Shillong Golf Course, Polo Grounds, Umian Lake.
Excursions: Cherrapunjee- 56 kms, Dwaki- 86 kms.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport Guwahati- 129 kms and Umroi Airport- 31 kms are connected with Calcutta.By Rail: Nearest Railhead is Guwahati- 103 kms.By Road: Calcutta- 1184 kms, Darjeeling- 690 kms, Gangtok- 692 kms, Guwahati- 103 kms, Kaziranga- 294 kms, Aizwal- 430 kms, Siliguri- 578 kms, Manas- 273 kms, Agartala- 499 kms, Kohima- 469 kms, Itanagar- 481 kms.
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Assam

The largest of the states in the northeast of India is Assam whose capital, Guwahati, has an inspired location on the banks of the River Brahmaputra. Amidst Assam’s verdant lushness are two important game sanctuaries, Manas and Kaziranga, both best known for their population of one horned Indian rhinoceros, a species that faced extinction. Much of the rest of the state is devoted to tea plantation which yield the strong Assam leaf popular all over the world.
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Guwahati
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The ancient city of Pragjyotishpur or the light of east is the site of modern Guwahati, the Gateway to North Eastern India.Altitude: 55 meters. Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max. 35, Min. 22. Winter- Max. 26, Min. 10. Rainfall: 180 cms (from May to Sept.) Best Season: October to May.Places Of Interest: Janardhan Temple, Navagrah Temple, Umananda Temple, Bhubaneshwari Devi Temple, Assam Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Anthropological Museum , Assam Forest
Museum, Cottage Industries Museum, Museum of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Assam State Museum, Dept. of Historical & Antiquarian Research.
Excursions: Haplong (Hill Station)- 355 kms, Jatinga- 364 kms, Hajo- 32 kms, Kamakhya Temple- 10 kms, Basistha Ashram- 12 kms, Sualkuch- 32 kms, Chandubi Lake- 64 kms, Orang- 150 kms, Darrang- 100 kms, Bhairakunda- 137 kms, Batadrawa- 134 kms, Barpeta- 137 kms, Tezpur- 181 kms, Bhalukpung- 250 kms, Dibrugarh, Digboi, Jorhat, Majuli.
Reach - By Air: Connected with Calcutta, Delhi, Bagdogra, Imphal Agartala, Dibrugarh and Dimapur.By Rail: Connected with New Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Trivandrum, Bangalore, Cochin, Silchar, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh.By Road: Shillong- 103 kms, Kaziranga National Park- 217 kms, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary- 176 kms, Dimapur- 280 kms, Itanagar- 420 kms, Imphal- 487 kms, Agartala- 599 kms, Aizawal- 538 kms, Gangtok- 624 kms, Darjeeling- 587 kms, Calcutta- 1182 kms and Kohima- 342 kms.




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Kaziranga National Park
Situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river, Kaziranga National Park is famous for the stronghold of the armoured one-horned Indian Rhinoceros. The Sanctuary provides unique setting for a sight of its best known wild life including birds.Area of the Park: 430 sq. kms. Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max.35, Min.18.3. Winter- Max.24, Min.7.2. Rainfall: Heavy in Summer (2300 mms). Best Season: November to March. Closed Season: Mid-April to Mid-October. Languages spoken: Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, English.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Jorhat- 96 kms.By Rail: Nearest railway station Furkating- 75 kms.By Road: Guwahati- 217 kms, Jorhat- 96 kms, Furkating- 75 kms.





Sibsagar
Sibsagar was the capital of the Ahom Kings who ruled Assam before the advent of the British. The town is build round the Sibsagar tank, dug over 200 years ago. The tank is above town level although situated in the heart of the town. On its banks are located some of the famous temples of Sibsagar. The Shiva temple, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be the highest Hindu temple in India. Jorhat is famous for its sprawling tea gardens, it is the nerve center of tea industry.
Places Of Interest: Sibsagar Tank and Temples, Talatal Ghar, Kereng Ghar, Rang Ghar, Joysagar Tank and Temple, Gaurisagar Group, Gargaon Palace, Charaideo.
Excursions: Jorhat- 55 kms, Dibrugarh- 76 kms.
Reach - By Air: The nearest airport is at Rewriah, Jorhat- 55 kms.By Rail: The nearest railhead is Simaluguri- 16 kms.By Road: Guwahati- 369 kms, Kaziranga- 152 kms, Jorhat- 55 kms, Nowgong- 249 kms, Dibrugarh- 76 kms, Tinsukia- 114 kms.





Haflong
In the lush hilly terrain lies this lovely lakeside resort which is Assam's only hill station. It is the name of variety of orchids, one of them being the rare Blue Vanda. Haflong Lake, situated in the heart of the hill station is a picturesque area. The Jatinga village unreveal the mystery of the flocks of little migratory birds crashing to death on still dark nights. Near Umrangsu, there is a hot water spring (Garampani) which is believed to possess medicinal properties.
Places Of Interest: Haflong Lake, Jatinga, Maibong, Umrangsu.
Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Dimapur- 266 kms, Jorhat- 364 kms, Gguwahati- 355 kms.By Rail: Haflong is connected by North Frontier Railway from Guwahati via Lumding.By Road: Guwahati- 355 kms, Diphu- 170 kms, Dimapur- 266 kms, Jorhat- 364 kms, Newgong- 309 kms, Golaghat- 335 kms. http://indiatravelplaces.com

Manipur Tour

Day 01 Arrival DelhiArrival Kolkata, transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Overnight at Hotel. Day 02 Kolkata - ImphalMorning transfer to airport to board flight for Imphal. Arrival at Imphal, receive & transfer to hotel, Overnight hotel. Day 03 Imphal After breakfast Visit to war memorial, Museum & woman market, eve. free, overnight in Hotel. Day 04 Imphal After breakfast Visit Metei tribal village, eve. free, overnight in Hotel.Day 05 Imphal After breakfast visit the famous Loktak lake, Keibullamjao National Park - the only floating National Park in the world, eve. free, overnight in Hotel. Day 06 Imphal/ Kolkata/ Depart After breakfast day free till transfer to airport to board flight for Kolkata. Arrival Kolkata and board flight for onward journey. http://indiatravelplaces.com

Nagaland Tour

Day 01 Kolkata Arrival Kolkata, transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Kolkata. http://indiatravelplaces.com Overnight at Hotel. Day 02 Kolkata - Dibrugarh Morning transfer to airport to board flight for Dibrugarh. Arrival Dibrugarh, meet upon at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel. Day 03 Dibrugarh - Mon After breakfast drive to Mon 200 km, 7hrs, the District headquarter of Mon District situated at an altitude of 897.64 meters above sea level. It is the home of the Konyaks tribes. Here it is interesting to see the tattooed faces wearing feathered headgears and traditional dress. Konyaks are adept artisans and skilled craftsmen. Here you can find excellent wood carvings, daos (Machetes), guns, gunpowder, headgears etc. Overnight in tourist lodge. Day 04 Mon Visit typical Konyak tribal village, Shangnyu. Ruled by the chief Angh, it is one of the prominent village of the Mon District. There is a wonderful wooden monument measuring 8ft. in height and 12 ft. breadth which is believe to be constructed by heavenly angels. Carvings of human beings and other creatures are engraved on this monument. Also visit to Konyak Murungs, where one can still see the collection of human skulls. Konyaks were headhunters in the olden days and used to keep the enemies head as a trophy. Overnight in tourist lodge. Day 05 Mon - Mokokchung After breakfast drive to Mokokchung, the district headquarter situated at an altitude of 1325 meters above sea level. This picturesque town is the cultural centre of the AO Nagas. The AO warriors used to wear the beautiful black and red hand-woven shawl with its white decorated band to signify their prowess over their enemies. The two main festivals of AO's are Moatsu in early May and Tsungremmong in August. Overnight in Circuit House. Day 06 Mokokchung - Kohima After breakfast drive to Kohima the state capital and hill station which is situated at an altitude of 1444 meters above sea level 180km, 7hrs drive. Overnight in the hotel. Day 07 Kohima After breakfast visit to Khonoma, an Angami tribal village. 20 km towards the west of Kohima, the village has its own traditions of valour and courage. History reveals that khonoma provided protection to several villages in good old days. The village gate tells the story of the British infiltration into Naga .Hills. War Cemetry : A symbolic memorial raised as citation for the supreme sacrifices made by the officers and man during the IInd World War. Museum : The state Museum treasures rare collection of articles of different tribes which speak about the history and tradition of the Nagas. Also visit to local market. Overnight at Hotel. Day 08 Kohima - Dimapur - Kolkata - Depart After breakfast transfer to Dimapur airport, 75km 2 hrs drive, to board flight for Kolkata. Arrival Kolkata and board flight for onward journey. http://indiatravelplaces.com

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