West bengal culture history and cusine

HISTORY
Bengal has rich cultural heritage and a glorious past dates back to 3rd century BC. The region has been ruled by Mauryas, Guptas, Palas, the Muslims and finally the British. Bengal is the birth place of many great personalities, philosophers, scientists, patriots, and home to five Nobel laureates – Ronald Ross, Sir C.V. Raman, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen. During British imperialism, this region was divided into two provinces of West Bengal and East Bengal followed the policy of “divide and rule” to curb the rising of national movement in India. Present Bangladesh is the region of East Bengal and West Bengal is one of the 28th states of Indian Union.

GEOGRAPHY
West Bengal is bordered by Nepal and Bangladesh and the states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya in different directions. From north to south, it stretches from Himalayan Mountain to the Gangetic plain and the Bay of Bengal. The land is mostly plain except the northern region, which comes under the Himalayan mountain range. On the basis of landforms, the state can be divided into the following regions: Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, Terai region, North Bengal plains, Rarh region, Coastal plain, Sunderbans, Western plateau and high lands and Ganges delta.

CULTURE
The rebirth of Indian culture has taken place in this region of West Bengal which added a new chapter in the evolution of Indian history as Bengal Renaissance. This region is the land of Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Mother Teresa, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Jagdish Chandra Basu, Dr. C. V. Raman, Satyendra Nath Basu, U. N. Bhramcharya, Meghnath Saha, G. D. Birla, Girendra Sekhar Basu, P. C. Mahalanabish, Sishir Kumar Mitra, Debendra Mohan Basu, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Saorjini Naidu, Amartya Sen, Saurav Ganguly and many more. The culture of Bengal is deep rooted in its soil and is distinguished by festivals, music, cinema, drama and literature. Festivals in a multidimensional scale are observed in spiritual ecstasy in the state especially during Durga Puja.

CUISINE
Bengalis are fond of Bhaat (rice) and Machher jhol (fish curry). There is a wide range of dishes and cuisines with variety of tastes. Most of the typical Bengali sweets have their origin in traditional household kitchens. The most famous of all Bengali sweet is the rasogolla (a kind of sweet) which is best eaten chilled.

BEACHES
The coastal trip of West Bengal extending from the Gangetic delta land to the border of Orissa offers breathtaking and eye-catching beaches of Digha, Shankarpur, Junput, Bakkhali, Frazergunj and Sagardwip.

Rameshwaram - Benaras of South India

Rameshwaram is the only one of the four Dhams where the resident Deity is Lord Shiva. Varanasi of the South, Rameshwaram is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage centres in India, second only to Varanasi itself. Rameswaram is hallowed by the epic Ramayana. A devout Hindu who visits Varanasi is expected to visit Rameswaram also for the culmination of his quest for salvation. Rama sanctified this place by worshipping Lord Siva after the war against Ravana. Therefore, it is held sacred by Saivites and Vaishnavites as well. It is one of the major marine food centres in the south, much of its fish and prawn catch being exported. The town's most famous monument is the Ramanathaswamy Temple which is a gem of late Dravidian architecture.

Lord Rama sent his most devout disciple, Hanuman (the monkey god), to Mt. Kailas to bring a lingam but the monkey god was delayed and as Shiva had to be worshipped at a certain time, Rama's wife, Sita, moulded one herself which subsequently became known as the Ramanatha. On Hanuman's return, Rama was forced to console the monkey god by having the lingam which he had brought from Mt Kailas installed near the Ramanatha and decreeing that the Hanuman lingam should have precedence over the Ramanatha. The temple as it stands today was begun in the 12th century AD and added to by various rulers over the succeeding centuries. Its gopuram is 53.6 metres (176 ft) high.

Rameshwaram is an island- of Lord Rama's temple at Tamil Nadu is a terrific destination. Along with being a major pilgrimage for the Hindus, Rameshwaram is a happening holiday spot too.

Kalimpong - The Bustling Town

Kalimpong - A small but bustling town in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal. Kalimpong is a small hill station between Siliguri and Gangtok. The road is one of the most scenic routes in this part of the nation. The swift flowing Teesta river runs by the side of the road adding to the beauty of the scenery.

The name, Kalimpong, has three different origins. One, it means the place where the local tribesmen gathered to organize field sports, second, it takes it’s name from the Bhutanese king’s minister’s stronghold and thirdly, it is named after Kaulim, a fibrous plant found in abundance in this region.

The town is 1250M above sea level and offers excellent views of the Mt Kanchenjunga and the other Himalayan peaks. The popular view points are Durpin Dara and Deoro Hill.

This bazaar town was originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and finally it became a part of West Bengal. Kalimpong has several monasteries and also a Kali temple, Churches and a private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan languages, culture etc. The Tibetan Monastery and curio center and Dr Graham's home are important tour stops.

Some facts::roll:

Language: Gorkha, Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, English.
Weather:
Summer:
Mar to Jun 15°C -25°C.
Monsoons:
Jul to Aug. Rainfall: Average Annual 2030 mm (80 inches)
Autumn & Winter:
Sep to Feb 7°C -15°C.

Reference:- National Information Technology Promotion Unit, Kolkata

The Four Essential Places of India Tourism

1. Taj Mahal:
Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. Different people have different views of the Taj but it would be enough to say that the Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love. As an architectural masterpiece, nothing could be added or substracted from it.

Nearby Attractions: Agra Fort (2.5 km away) and Sikandra (tomb of Akbar 3 km away).
When to GO: Mid-January to April and from September to mid-December.

2. Backwaters of Kerala:
Backwaters are ahead and behind made up by the ponding of sea to the beach by the movement of the waves. They are usually formed in the form of lagoons, of lakes and estuaries. The Backwaters in Kerala is a network of esquisite channels, lakes, lagoons and deltas of approximately 44 rivers emptying in the Arab sea. The principal mode of transport on these backwaters is by houseboats bus more 900km of this world of water is navigable. Hear the soothing sound of water rippling alongside your houseboat, as you drift on a Kerala backwater. Feel completely relaxed as you enter a world of serenity and natural beauty in Kerala. See the green countryside, swaying palm trees, emerald rice fields and children waving from the banks of the backwaters of Kerala, India, as you sail on traditional Ketuvalloms or houseboats, on a Kerala backwater.

Be transported to a paradise where land, sea and sky, come together in a union of elements. As you float on a Kerala backwater, the beauty of the serene waterways and quaint inlets and creeks along the coast of Kerala will enchant you.

Nearby Attractions: Munnar Hills, Museums of Trivandrum, and Kovalam Beach.
When to Go: March to May and September to October.

3. Wildlife Safari in Bengal:
Whether you are in a desert or on the high steep slopes or within the dense forests, the best way to explore off beaten tracks of the natural world is through a safari. India is blessed with some of the most varied and adventurous wild sites. There can be no better way of experiencing life in the desert than through a journey into its hinterland on camel back. Similar experience visitors can enjoy among the grasslands, on the back of an Elephant. Experience the tiger, rhinos, and other rich wildlife in Ranthambore and Sunderbans National Parks.

Nearby Attractions: Lake Padam Talao, Raj Bagh Ruins, and Ranthambore Fort.
When to Go: Between December and February.

4. Palaces of Rajasthan:
Rajasthan is a land of forts and palaces. Built on high hilltops, in the middle of enormous deserts, and on islands in lakes, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan India, showcase the architectural heritage of Rajasthan. Many of these Rajasthan forts and palaces look rugged and rough from their exteriors; the interiors take you to an altogether different world. Surprises are the second name of these architectural marvels, which are the Rajasthan forts and palaces spread throughout Rajasthan India.

Nearby Attractions: Amber Fort Jaipur, Chittorgarh Fort, Junagadh Fort Bikaner, Kumbhalgarh Fort Udaipur, Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur, Sonar Fort Jaisalmer, Aravali forest, Amber fort, and Thar desert
When to Go: Between October and December.

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Tips for Travel Planning

Planning for a trip is not the most enjoyable part of a vacation packages. Travel planning involves hours and hours of searching for airfare, arranging transportation and accommodations, and packing. And if you’re completely clueless about travel planning, it could take you even longer.

Below are a few things NOT to do when planning for a trip. Travel planning requires careful execution and if not done properly, can result in the worst trip you’ve ever taken.

Travel Planning: What Not to Do

Book the First Flight You Find:
If you’re traveling abroad and need to book airfare, DON’T book the first flight you find. If you want to find cheap airfare, you need to compare prices. Search online and call the airlines to see what deals you can find. The Internet is filled with airfare discounts and cheap air tickets. All it takes is a little travel planning and initiative to do a search online or pick up the phone and call the airlines. If you don’t, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars more than you should have.

Pin the Tail on the Travel Map:
In the game Pin the Tail on the Donkey, a person is blind folded, spun around, and given the task to pin the tail on the paper donkey hanging on the wall. As fun and entertain as this children’s game is, it’s not a good method to use when planning a trip. If you’re deciding on where to go, don’t just pick a random destination and hop on a plane. You need to research those travel destinations you are interested in visiting. When researching each destination, find out the best time of year to go (you don’t want to travel to Paris during the rainy season). Find out when the best weather is and plan your trip around those months. Bad weather can quickly turn your exciting vacation into a week spent indoors watching foreign television.

Wait ‘Till the Last Minute to Pack:
Packing is almost always the last task on the travel planning list. After the tickets are purchased, the itinerary is set, and the time-off request has been submitted and signed, it’s finally time to pack. However, you shouldn’t wait until the night before you leave to start packing. You should start packing at least a week in advance. Why? Because you don’t want to stay up all night packing and wear yourself out before you even leave for the trip. Pack gradually throughout the week. Pack those items you won’t need during the week. Then, pack clothing items as they become available (i.e. worn and washed and ready to be worn again on your trip). By gradually packing throughout the week, you won’t stress out packing at the last minute and hoping you remembered everything. Pack gradually and save yourself some time. Travel planning takes time, effort, and a little bit of common sense. If you slack off and don’t plan correctly, your trip could end up a disaster before you even leave your home.

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Brief Info of Varanasi

Almost 3000 years old, Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. Varanasi also Known as the cultural capital of India. In Pali language Varanasi was called Banarasi hence it got the name 'Banaras'.

Varanasi is also called 'Kashi' or the city of spiritual light. The word ‘Kashi’ originated from the word ‘Kas’ which means to shine. Kashi is the place where Shiva and Parvati stood when the "time started ticking". Located on the bank of holy river Ganga, in east Uttar Pradesh, This city of alleys is one of the favourite tourist destinations of India. 80 Ghats (podium) built along the bank of river Ganga is its special feature. One theory also goes that Varanasi is located on the land between the river Varuna and Assi hence the name Varanasi.

Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts and education. People across the world descend in this holy city to imbibe its unique art and culture. People believe that pilgrimage of this holy city; flush out all the sins of life. It is the 2nd most sacred city after Ayodhya. Benarsi sarees and paan (betel) are famous all over the country.

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Pearls of Hyderabad

The two famous cities of Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad & Secunderabad are known as twin cities of India. The main shopping areas in Huderabad are Abids,Basheerbagh, Nampally and Sultan Bazar and MG Road, Rashtrapati Road in Secunderbad. The markets around Charminar are famous for bangles and pearls. Hyderabad is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and silver jewellery of exquisite design are a specialty of hyderabad jewellery. Pearls come in many shapes and of particular interest is the ‘rice-pearl’ – a tiny variety. The precious "Basra"- a pearl unmatched in lustre, colour and price and is available in selected stores. Pearls are sold in strings or raw by weight.

Hyderabad is known as the city of pearls. The pearl market is situated near Charminar. Ornaments made with Rice Pearls can be bought from 'Char Kaman' or the General Bazaar Market.People form everywhere flock here to possess a few of these pearls. Strange that there is no sea anywhere near the city. Yet it has become almost synonymous with quality pearls.

Chennai--The Indian Tradition

Chennai (formerly known as Madras) the capital of Tamil Nadu, lies along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, developed after 1639 when the British East India Company established a fort and trading post at the small fishing village of Chennai. Over the past three and a half centuries, the small fishing village has grown into a bustling metropolis which is especially known for its spaciousness which is lacking in other Indian cities. This characteristic is exemplified by the long esplanade called the Marina and which is lined by impressive buildings which remind the casual visitor of the long and inseparable association the city has had with the British. Even elsewhere in the city, one cannot fail to notice the dominant British influences in the form of old cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, wide tree lined avenues.

As a city it continues to maintain the best of South Indian traditions.Thus, the unwary visitor will find Madras more than just a gateway of South India. He shall find it a convenient base to peep into the varied aspects of traditional south Indian culture and life styles which intermingle with the modern city complete with its plush hotels and restaurants - offering a range of continental and typical south Indian cuisine, long and uncrowded stretches of beaches, modern shopping centers which offer traditional handicrafts, textiles and much more peculiar to this part of India.

Besides the modern city itself, there are several interesting towns like Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, each with a rich collection of ancient temples and an array of traditional handicrafts which are very much their own.

Luxury Honeymoon Package Kerala (India)

Kerala has been emerged as a Paradise for honeymooners, because of its beautiful Beaches, Lakes, Backwaters, Hill stations, houseboats etc. Travelchacha.com offers you a world of choices for your romantic honeymoon holidays, romantic vacation. We offers Honeymoon packages to India Kerala,Manali,Delhi etc . Book your Honeymoon tour:

Day 01 - Kovalam
Arrive Trivandrum and the representative will meet and transfer you to Kovalam the beach resort of South India, enriched with rich Greenary of Coconut Palms and laced with golden sands.On arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the day free ot realx and enjoy the beach.

Day 02 - Kovalam
This morning after breakfast, visit Mattupetty famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Proceed to Mattupetty lake and dam, which is a very beautiful picnic spot. You could enjoy boating in the lake and view mountains and landscapes from afar. Onwards proceed to Echo point famous for the natural echo phenomenon and then to Top Station offering marvellous views of Munnar valley below. Return to the resort and enjoy the facilities at your resort.

Day 03 - House Boat
Today morning after breakfast Proceed to Alleppey, Known as the Venice of the East. On arrival check into a traditonal House Boat of Kerala Style. Crusie through the back waters is the fabulous way to explore the facinating beauty of the backwaters.

Day 04 - Periyar
Disembark the boat at Kumarakom and Continue to Thekkady the famous wild life sanctuary of South India. On arrival check in at hotel. Periyar wildlife sanctuary, home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. Evening go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wild animals.

Day 05 Munnar
In the morning depart for Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by. Arrive Munnar and check in at hotel. In the evening you can go for sight seeing of Munnar and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution, most of the covered by Tata tea.

Day 06 Cochin
Morning after breakfast proceed to Cochin - the queen of Arabian Sea. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon you can go for sightseeing of Cochin which includes the Jewish Synagogue, Mattanchery Palace, St.Francis Church and the Chinese Fishing Nets. Evening you can witness the dance drama of Kerala - Kathakali Dance.

Discover Oriental East India

This unique tour combines the two eastern states of Sikkim and West Bengal. Similar in many ways yet so different in their cultural traditions, heritage, people and the environment. This tour reveals aspects of India very often missed while travelling the regular circuits. This journey starts at the north-eastern state of Sikkim (Indian border state to China), tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, a place with breathtaking beauty, rich biodiversity and the most splendid views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. We then travel to Lachung, a place very close to the Tibet border. From there we start our southward descent to the state of West Bengal, visiting the famous architectural towns of Murshidabad and Vishnupur and then to Kolkata, the erstwhile capital of the British. From Kolkata we journey to the Sunderbans National Park, the world's largest delta formed by the Ganga (Ganges) and Brahmaputra rivers. At this point you have the option of either ending your journey on the backwaters or travelling further south to visit the temple towns of Bhubaneshwar, Konark and Puri, winding up on the palm-fringed beaches of Puri.

New Recognisation of India - Golden Quadrilateral Raod

The Golden Quadrilateral connect the four metropolises: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Yet another project will connect the smaller towns with expressways. The end-product will resemble a quadrilateral. The first phase of the 5,846-km long Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) project of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), linking the four metros of Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, is nearing completion. Of the 38-lakh-km of roadways in India (the second largest in the world), national highways account for 58,000 km and the balance fall within the purview of the states. The former takes care of 40 per cent of the total traffic handled by all roads.

A good example would be the four-lane expressway developed and maintained by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) between Delhi and Jaipur. The traveller is charged a nominal toll tax and this allows for the maintenance of the highway. These roads are particularly delightful to drive on. But remember, not all roads in India are like this - several are pot-holed and rough.

Kerala Tour Information

Kerala with a panoramic view with its nature attracts visitors all around the world. The natural beauty of Kerala back waters, beaches, hill stations, wild life sanctuaries give happy mood for the visitors during their entire touring.Apart from their touring, it enhance the joyful mood and mind when they visit Kerala temples, attend Kerala fairs and kerala festivals during the season.

Kerala has got a special encryption in the book of Ayurveda. The state is enriched with Ayurveda clinics and talented Ayurveda Doctors. Ayurvedic massaging, Panchakarma etc are the famous treatments in Ayurveda. Many of the hotels and resorts link with ayurvedic treatment packages.
Boat house or house boats locally called as Kettuvallam are very famous mode of transportation in the back waters for the tourists. From Kumarakon to Cochin one could enjoy the voyage though lush palm and coconut trees at the banks of rivers and back waters. One could not forget the event when they travel.

Food are served according to the liking of their taste. Many star hotels are available with tour packages from moderate to luxury tariff. Shopping is a wonderful activity which many of the tourists like to shop in Kerala. Kerala is famous for spices and handicrafts. Golden ornaments give fame and name to the state on the quality. Well, Kerala is one of the wonderful and beautiful place one should not miss to visit in his life time.

Beach of Kerela Kovalam

A vacation spent on a white sand beach looking out on warm turquoise waters, is many people's dream getaway. Many people base their vacation destination on where the waters are bathtub-warm, there are swaying palms, and you can kick back and really relax

The beaches of Kerala are renowned the world over for their breathtaking beauty. The blues of the sky and the blue waters of the beaches of Kerala come together to take away the blues. Amongst the popular beaches of Kerala are the Kovalam Beach and Varkala beach. The other much-visited beaches of Kerala are Thanagasseri Beach, Cheria Beach, Tanur Beach, Padinharekara Beach, Beypore Beach and Kappad Beach.

Travel Kerala, where the whispering palms and winding rivers come together to create the magic web of the backwaters. Kerala beaches are also known for its natural Ayurveda and Yoga retreats, famous worldwide for its Ayurveda treatments. Kovlam is a perfect example of such beach where tourists come to take Ayurvedic treatments and thus evolved as a major Ayurvedic centre with many hotels and resorts offering Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapies and treatments. One can treat the worn out body and energise the nerves and muscles through time tested rejuvenation treatments.

Kashmir Heaven of India

Welcome to the beautiful nature blessed land of Jammu & Kashmir. Whether a boat ride at the Dal Lake or a visit to the highest Golf Course in the world at Gulmarg or travelling to the delightful Pahalgam, Sonamarg or the serene Leh and Ladakh – a tour to Jammu & Kashmir is overhelming in every way. Explore and cherish the beauty of this wonderland with exclusive tour and travel packages of Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir tour is an ideal getaway for all nature-lovers and a paradise for all honeymooners. Come and Enjoy your Jammu & Kashmir travel and relish the magnificent beauty of this heaven on earth.

Strategically located the state of Jammu and Kashmir constitutes the northern most extremity of India. Jammu & Kashmir with its summer and winter capitals at Srinagar and Jammu, respectively, is divided into 3 major and distinct regions - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Charm of Uttrakhand lies in its Natural Beauty

It’s true that hill of Uttrakhand is not the place many people would like to call home. It turns extremely cold in the winter due to its location on the eastern edge of the India. No wonder, the geographically small state of Dehradoon does not even rank in the top twenty states in terms of population.

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Travel guide in india

When searching for value in travel, everyone comes in contact with the package tours holiday. Before you recoil in horror, let’s face it, if you are going to a place for the first time and want to do this safely and within a budget,packaged holidays often can’t be beat. They will provide you all.