West Bengal is the most enchanting among the coastal states of India. Its capital, Kolkata, is as cosmopolitan a city as any. Some of India's most

preferred travel destinations are the Darjeeling hill region in the northern extreme of the state, the highest peak of the state Sandakphu and the Sundarbans mangrove forests in the extreme south. The state of West Bengal has significant architectural and natural heritage. A travel to West Bengal takes you to the state, which has given birth to maximum number Nobel laureates of the country. This is the home to numerous poets, painters, filmmakers and scholars celebrated across the globe. West Bengal is mostly preferred during September and October, when the state celebrates Durga Puja with much enthusiasm. Food of West Bengal is a great mix of delectable vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Some of the dishes famous among natives in West Bengal are Aloo-Posto (potatoes with poppy seeds), Ilish Macher Jhol (Ilish fish curry), and Sukhto which is a combination of various vegetables like brinjal, bitter gourd, drumsticks, and Bori. Another flavorsome dish from Bengali cuisine is Kosha-Mangsho' which is a dish of mutton. West Bengal is a fascinating place that offers everything. Some of the famous tourist attractions in West Bengal are listed below.

❖ DARJEELING: QUEEN OF HILLS

Darjeeling is among the best hill stations in India. The beautiful tea gardens on the slopes of rolling hills, the orchids, pines & rhododendrons, the cute Himalayan toy train negotiating its way through the mountains combined with great sightseeing tours, food, shopping and other exciting activities, there’s so much that this stunning town has to offer.Main attractions here are: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train, Tiger Hills, Batasia loop, Darjeeling Ropeway, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Rock Garden, Singalila National Park, The Peace Pagoda, Sandakphu Peak, Water Rafting in the River Teesta, tea plantations, Padmaja Naidu Zoo, Tinchuley, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Bengal Natural History Museum, Lepchajagat and vice versa. For a well-needed break from the blistering and moist summers of India, this city is one of the best tourist places in West Bengal.

❖ SUNDARBANS: LAND OF MANGROVES

 

The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world. , lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. he area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python. Sundarbans National Park established in 1984, constitutes a core region within the tiger reserve; it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. It is one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on earth, a truly undiscovered paradise for anyone.Sundarban National park is one of the popular visiting place for the visitors.Main attractions here are: Sundarban National Park, Kotka Beach, Karamjol, Hiron Point, Dublar Char Island, Tin Kona Island and Vice Versa.

❖ SHANTINIKETAN: THE PLACE OF PEACE

 Birbhum region of West Bengal and around 212 km from Kolkata. It was pSource:ut on the map by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore as it was his residence. Now a university, the spot currently draws a huge number of tourists every year. Shantiniketan

was earlier called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit), and was owned by the Tagore family. Shantiniketan is in the Birbhum District of Bengal, famed for the Baul singers, the wandering minstrels of Bengal who sing songs of love and devotion on the ektara. The red soil of Birbhum, the green forest, the fresh air, the beautiful scenario of the bank of river Kopai, the remnant of Khoai created by rainfall during monsoon attract travelers by its own beauty.Main attractions here are: Uttarayana, Viswa Bharati, Tagore’s Ashrama, Kala Bhavana,Chattimtala ,Poush Mela, Deer Park, Santiniketan Tourist Lodge,and Vice Versa.

❖ MAYAPUR :THE RELIGIOUS CITY

 and Jalangi rivers, this religious center is a city with scenic views and many sanctuaries. Mayapur is a well known Vaishnavite tourist spot established by the Bhakti saint Vinod Thakur. Mayapur is renowned for Chandrodaya Temple, Shree Chaitanyamath, and Goswami Maharaj Temple of Dashavatar. Mayapur, the land of the Golden Avatar, is commonly associated with Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is

believed to be an incarnation of Shri Krishna about 500 years ago. He was the one who started the Krishna Movement. Mayapur came into being in 1970 when Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada laid the foundation of his spiritual base here.With the mental well-being of people in mind, he intended to create a space with an amazing cultural experience and education for the people to grow Krishna Consciousness.Main attractions here are: ISKCON Chandrodaya Temple, Yoga Peeth, Chand Kazi Samadhi, Shri Chaitanya Math. These were some of the best places to visit in West Bengal. Do add them to your list of places to visit on your next trip to West Bengal.