West Bengal

West Bengal merges the arts, the countryside, nature, mountains and the city. Whether you are spiritually or artistically inclined and want to be amongst your own sorts or you are adventurous and want an adrenaline rush to be amongst elephants and rhinoceroses, the state offers it all.

Darjeeling:



Surrounded by lush green tea plantations, backed by impressive Himalayan scenery and draped over a sheer mountain crest, Darjeeling is one of India's top 10 hill stations. It's sanctified with a dazzling view of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak. When you are not gazing at the Khangchendzonga (Mount Kanchenjunga), you can visit some of the other Darjeeling's most admired attractions which include monasteries, botanical gardens, a zoo, and the Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway cable car (the longest cable car in Asia). Darjeeling is a wonderful place to walk around, and explore the tea estates, villages, and markets. Don't visit during the monsoon season though; the region is one of the wettest places in India!

Kolkata:

More than being the capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata or Calcutta as it used to be known as; it has grown to become the cultural capital of India. It is no longer associated with destitution and slums. Being vibrant yet intimate, a city full of captivating soul in addition to being the only city in India to have a tram car network, Kolkata keeps its old-world charm.

Sunderbans:



A magnificent network of channels and tangles of semi-submerged mangroves is part of the world's largest river delta that is only one of its kind in the world. Royal Bengal tigers not only lurk in the impenetrable depths of the forests, but also swim the delta's innumerable channels.

Extending into the neighboring Bangladesh and spread over 54 islands, the Sunderbans is only accessible through boats. Cruising down the Hooghly River from Kolkata is the most memorable and terrific way of getting there. Don't be optimistic about seeing any tigers though. They're very shy and usually remain well concealed in the reserve.

Shantiniketan:



An epitome of its Bengali name, which means Abode of Peace, the old-fashioned picture-perfect university town of Shantiniketan is located just over 200 kilometers from Kolkata. Rabindranath Tagore, the Noble Laureate poet founded a school here in 1901 which later developed into the Visva Bharathi University with an emphasis on humanity's relationship with nature.

One of the chief attractions in Shantiniketan is the Uttarayan complex where Tagore lived. It now has a museum and art gallery. Shantiniketan is also a highly regarded center for conventional handicrafts such as batik, pottery, weaving, and embroidery.

Jaldhapara Wildlife sanctuary:



If you don't want to travel all the way till Assam to see the rare one horned rhinoceros in the wild, don't despair. This rarely visited sanctuary is a refuge to over 50 one horned rhinoceros. The best way to spot one of these would be aboard an elephant. The best months for sighting these rhinos would be in the months of March and April, when they are attracted by new grass though the sanctuary's open from October through May.