This West Bengal travel guide intends to make you familiar with everything that the state proffers to the traveler, be it food, art, culture, festivals or the wonders of nature.

History of West Bengal

Being a prominent territory of India under the colonial rule, West Bengal got to witness division basi religion after the independence of the nation in 1947. As the western part of Bengal, which is dominated by the Hindus, became the West Bengal; the other Muslim dominated portion of the region became a part  of Pakistan. Later in 1971, post the fallout between the East Bengal and Pakistan, the latter portion became Bangladesh.

Culture of West Bengal

With strong inclination towards literature, music, art, and craft, the locals of West Bengal can be found quite welcoming and well-spoken. Inhabiting people of every religion, including Islam, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhism, Hindu is the most dominated one. Hence, here one can get to observe festivals of different religions. Home to many great scholars, poets, and film-makers, locals can be found speaking Bengali, Urdu, Nepali, and some other languages.

Attractions in West Bengal

Although there are many tourist destinations in the state, the gem of West Bengal tourism is Darjeeling, a serene, charming little hill station that invokes the poet in everybody. Beautiful sunrises to wake up to, foggy afternoons spent soaking up the sunrays, and chilly evenings to bundle up inside in. Just the name of Darjeeling conjures up images of the sun reflecting off of snow covered peaks, vibrant green hills and fragrant tea gardens, while the clouds roll in. Tiger Hill, perched atop a height of 2,590 m, is especially popular for offering mesmerizing sunrises, when the weather is clear.

Tourism in West Bengal is not limited to the hill station of Darjeeling, there are a hundred other destinations that are worth a visit such as Kolkata, The Sundarbans, Digha, Siliguri, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Kurseong among several others. There are several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state, such as Sundarbans National Park, Jaldapara National Park, Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary and Singalila National Park, which are worth a visit for the unique flora and fauna found there. The coastal areas are ideal for a relaxing beach vacation, without the hustle bustle of the city.

As architecture is a major draw here, so are the shopping opportunities. If you are looking for silk or handloom saris then there can be no better place in this part of the country than West Bengal. Choose from a myriad of colors and make such as jamdani, kantha, tant, korial, gorad, baluchari, muslin and tussar.

Adventure in West Bengal

Encompassing some magnificent pinnacles that are perfect for trekking, here one can grab a chance to navigate through the deep and tapered valleys, while cherishing the alluring views of pristine waters and alpine forests. Hop on to Jayanti and Ayodhya hills to feel some adrenaline rush through rock climbing, or indulge in parasailing, water skiing, and activities like snorkelling. Tourists may also visit to Delta River, and choose to sail through the creeks, jungles and an ocean on a wooden cruise boat while savouring the enticing view of the backdrops of West Bengal.    

Famous Food of West Bengal

Being a treasure trove of rich culture, here locals enjoy the art of cooking. With some flavourful cuisines at its credit, Bengalis are quite foodie. Mainly prepared with fish, rice and lentils, and sauteed with cumin, fenugreek leaves, and mustard seeds; here one can cherish famous food items, like: Sukto, Macher Jhol, Pitha and more. While, the famous sweets of Bengal are: Shondesh, Rasmalai, Roshogolla and more.   

Festivals of West Bengal

The list of famous festivals of Bengal includes, the celebration of Durga Pooja, when the entire state is decked up like a bride. While, Vasant Panchami, Basanta Utsav, and Jamai Sasthi are some  of the important festivals observed here. With a wonderful heritage and tradition to take pride in, here many religious festivals are celebrated with passion.

Travel and tourism in West Bengal will take you to many different spots, each one more beautiful and fascinating than the first, so make sure that you have planned accordingly and have enough time to cover all the major destinations of the state.