Lolegaon, land of heritage forests and perfect sunrises

Famous for its stunning view of the Kanchenjunga range

Located about 25 km from Lava in Kalimpong subdivision, beautiful, green, quiet Lolegaon or Loleygaon is considered one of the best places to visit in West Bengal in spring and summer, though winter is a favourite with many visitors too.

At an altitude of about 5,000 ft, Lolegaon is famous for its breath-taking view of the entire Kanchenjunga range, as well as its magnificent heritage forest. The tiny village also acts as a gateway to other locations such as Lava, Kalimpong, and Rishyap, and is a paradise for bird watchers and orchid enthusiasts.

The best way to reach Lolegaon is the four-hour drive from Bagdogra Airport/ Siliguri, about 125 km away, or a similar drive from New Jalpaiguri railway station. Kalimpong, the nearest large town, is 55 km from Lolegaon, and the drive takes a little over an hour depending on the roads. The surrounding population is predominantly Lepcha, who often use the name Kafer interchangeably with Lolegaon.

Once there, you will have one of the best possible views of the entire Kanchenjunga range. Don’t miss the sunrise over the Singalila Range from Jhandi Dara either. In fact, many visitors who have experienced both have stated that this sunrise point is superior to the vastly more famous Tiger Hill in Darjeeling.

Jhandi Dara is about 31 km from Kalimpong, 52 km from Lava, and 70 km from Darjeeling. The viewing point is remarkable in that it offers a panoramic view of the Dooars Plains, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, the Kanchenjunga range, and Nathula Pass from a single location. On a really clear day, you can actually hope to spot Mt Everest from here too.

You might also like walking up to the VIP Bungalow viewing point, a manicured green area with convenient galleries offering an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks.

Yet another notable attraction in Lolegaon is Canopy Walk, apart from small treks and trails. Canopy Walk is around a kilometre from the bus stand, in the middle of forests full of fir, oak, birch and cypress trees, along interconnected foot bridges. At a total length of 180 metres, the bridges stretch from tree to tree, helping visitors view the beauty of the forest from a height. Just a word of caution for those who suffer from motion sickness: these bridges keep swinging, so you may feel dizzy. Keep that in mind before you set out.

At the centre of the village is a stretch of flat land opposite the Eco Park, where there are a few small tea stalls and shops, making up the only bazaar area in the vicinity, selling food and a few other essentials.

For trekkers and bird watchers, a visit to Samthar Plateau is a must. At an elevation of about 4,200 ft in the Himalayan foothills, this lovely destination features terraced fields, mountain streams and thatched huts. For trekkers, the walk begins at Gompa Dara near Lava, and progresses through several hiking and trekking trails.

Enrich your Bishnupur experience with the Bishnupur Tourism Property

Bishnupur is the hub of terracotta or burnt clay architecture

Bishnupur, the temple town of Bengal, is all about an incredibly rich heritage, brilliant terracotta architecture, Bengal’s only Indian classical music gharana, and fabulous crafts such as the ‘baluchari’ sari, ‘Heemputul’ clay dolls, and the highly unique ‘Dashavatar Tash’, or playing cards made of clay.

Once the capital of the Malla dynasty beginning with Jagat Malla, the 10th king, Bishnupur became the hub of terracotta or burnt clay architecture owing to the lack of stones, the commonest construction material in ancient and medieval times. The quality of this architecture reached its peak in the 17th century, as Raja Jagat Malla and his descendants commissioned numerous temples and other buildings.

Experience all that and more on your trip to Bishnupur, and enhance your tourism experience by staying at West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation’s beautiful and comfortable Bishnupur Tourism Property (earlier Bishnupur Tourist Lodge), where tradition seamlessly meets modernity.

Apart from 24-hour generator facility, AC, attached bathroom, car parking, television, running hot water, intercom, laundry, restaurant, room service, and wifi services, you also get dedicated service with a smile, and sightseeing advice and help.

With or without help, you must not miss Rasmancha, the oldest brick temple in Bishnupur, established by King Hambir in 1600. The majestic temple is architecturally one of its kind in the country.

As for the oldest temple in Bishnupur, that would be the Mrinmoyee temple, established by King Jagat Malla in 997 AD, home to possibly the oldest organised Durga Puja in Bengal, dating back 1021 years. One of its unique rituals is the firing of a cannon at the sacred moment of ‘Maha Ashtami-Sandhi Puja’.

Yet another famed tourist destination is the Jorbangla Temple, commissioned by Malla king Raghunath Singh in 1655. An exceptional example of terracotta art, the temple is named ‘Jorbangla’ (literally twin Bangla) owing to its special ‘dochala’ (twin-spire) style. The stunningly detailed terracotta friezes portray scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Lord Krishna’s childhood.

The Shyam Rai temple was built by King Raghunath Singh in 1643, and is popularly known as ‘Panch-chura’ temple owing to its five pinnacles. It is one of the most popular attractions of Bishnupur owing to its breathtaking terracotta art on both interior and exterior panels.

Religious buildings aside, there is the massive ‘Gar Darja’, a gigantic gate that once supposedly formed the entrance to the royal kingdom of Bishnupur. Gar Darja was possibly part of a larger fortified structure, and still retains a huge terrace and secret chambers.

For history aficionados, a bonus attraction is the Acharya Yogesh Chandra Purakirti Bhawan, the local museum, which houses priceless and irreplaceable examples of the region’s archaeology, art and history.

For booking details and more relevant information, contact:

West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation

DG Block, Sector-II, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091

Ph: 033 2358 5189

Mail: visitwestbengal@yahoo.co.in, mdwbtdc@gmail.com, dgmrwbtdc@gmail.com

Dighali Tourism Property II gives you a new experience of Digha

The property is almost adjacent to Digha railway station

There is a joke among travel-crazy Bengalis – no matter how exotic your travel plans, in the end, it all comes back to Digha. Even while we laugh at ourselves, can we help going back to Digha again and again? No matter how many times you have been there, the beauty of the beach, the calm sea, the spectacular sunrise and sunset, and the charm of the casuarina plantations lining the sea face never grow old.

Located just 187 km from Kolkata in PurbaMedinipur district at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal, Digha is home to the Dighali Tourism Property I & II run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. Whether your trip spans just one night or the entire weekend, we guarantee a memorable stay at Dighali.

Dighali Tourism Property II is spread across 3.5 acres of land and boasts an expansive green lawn decorated with lovely flowers and seasonal plants. It has 21 standalone AC rooms, all clean, well-furnished, and well-maintained, with all modern amenities including intercom, TV (the super deluxe rooms have two), electric kettle, geyser, and a private balcony.

The property also has a multi-cuisine AC restaurant  with a maximum capacity of 30 and complimentary breakfast, and ample parking space for visiting vehicles.

Locationally, Dighali Tourism Property is close to some of Digha’s chief attractions, other than the beach and seaside promenade. So you can take in the beach at New Digha (2 km), and its Science Centre set up by the National Council of Science Museums. Also nearby is the fascinating Marine Aquarium and Research Centre, established in 1989 with the objective of displaying the marine biodiversity of the region as well as conducting research activities.

Yet another popular destination is the Chandaneswar Shiva Temple about 8 km away, close to the border with Odisha, and the JagannathDeul at Dihibahiri about an hour and 15 minutes by road, where you can see the beautiful 16th-century shrine to the deity built by king BhimsenMahapatra of Odisha.

Digha can also be your base for day trips to nearby seaside locations like Shankarpur (15 km), Tajpur (19 km), and Mandarmani (30 km).

Getting there

Dighali Tourism Property II is 182 km southwest of Kolkata by road, with the journey taking about five hours. There are government and private buses leaving at frequent intervals from various points in Kolkata, including the Dharmatala bus terminus. You may also drive down in your own or a hired vehicle.

For those looking to make a train journey, there are several options from Howrah, including the DighaDuronto Express. The journey takes about three hours, and Dighali Tourism Property is literally just five minutes from Digha railway station.

Babur Haat, a village paradise close to Kolkata

Drive just 50 from Kolkata to find a rural idyll

Talk about a perfect weekend rural getaway, and Babur Haat is perhaps not top of the mind recall for most people. Located just about 50 km east of Kolkata on the Basanti Highway in North 24 Parganas district, this quaint village is nonetheless an idyllic retreat known for its village life, innumerable and large fishing lakes, and ‘bheri’ or pisciculture tanks.

The lakes cover extensive areas of the village, and are looked after by local farmers who organically cultivate and breed different species of Bengal fish. You can visit neighbourhood farmlands where the locals grow vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, potato and okra. You can also get a taste of local culture by visiting a typical mud house, the temple, and village market.

Nature walks along village paths and lanes, bird watching, fishing and boating are some of the leisure activities on offer at Babur Haat. You can plan exciting fishing trips with family and friends and enjoy angling all day. You can also go for short picnics to local village grounds and mango orchards. The open fields offer excellent space for outdoor games like cricket and badminton.

For those who love solitude, you can walk along the paths that wind their way through the bheris, surrounded by vast stretches of water. Among other nearby attractions is Malancha village, just about 15 km from Babur Haat. Famous for its huge fish markets, some of the biggest in Bengal, Malancha is located at the confluence of two beautiful rivers, the Icchamati and the Vidyadhari, and offers a great sunset view.

The best time to visit Babur Haat is during winter and early summer, and there are a couple of local resorts where you can stay. However, you could just as easily make a day trip from Kolkata.

Achipur, Bengal’s first Chinese outpost

How did a man from faraway China build not just a sugar mill, but an entire township in Bengal? What has become of his legacy? Is it still relevant among his modern day descendants?

For answers, you need to drive just about 33 km southwest from Kolkata to the town called Achipur. Though the name may sound vaguely Bengali, its actual origin is far more fascinating.

At the heart of the story lies sugar, called ‘chini’ in Bengali. Considering the root word for sugar is the ancient Sanskrit ‘sharkara’, which the Arabs adopted as ‘shakkar’, which in turn Europeans called ‘zucchero’, ‘sukere’ and ‘sugar’, where does the word ‘chini’ come from?

You see, though the cultivation of sugarcane originated in India and Southeast Asia, and the extraction of sugarcane juice to make coarse sugar is a practice that dates back thousands of years, the Chinese were possibly the first to bring modern refined table sugar to India. And since the Bengali name for China is ‘Chin’, the sugar obtained from them became ‘chini’, which literally means Chinese.

Records show that in 1778, a Chinese man applied to the British East India Company for permission to set up a sugar mill in the area now known as Achipur. He appears to be the first Chinese man to have settled in Bengal, and the British called him Tong Atchew, though the actual Chinese name was probably Yang Dazhao or Daijang.

Local Bengalis called him Achi, and this gave birth to the name for the settlement that grew up around Atchew’s sugar mill – Achipur, or settlement of Achi. Built on roughly 220 acres of land leased to Atchew by Governor-General Warren Hastings, the mill soon employed several Chinese labourers, the ancestors of Kolkata’s large Chinese community.

Following Atchew’s death in 1783, the Chinese settlers moved into what was Calcutta, and all traces of his sugar mill were gradually lost. However, his tomb still stands in Achipur, and attracts thousands of Chinese pilgrims from around the world, particularly during Chinese New Year. Painted bright red and shaped like a horseshoe, the tomb draws offerings that include roast chicken, fish, pig, and wine, and burn symbolic paper money and incense sticks.

So the next time you are in Kolkata, make the 1.5 hour drive to Achipur to see for yourself how a man from distant China added another layer to Bengal’s already diverse history.

When was the last time you saw Kolkata from a double-decker bus?

‘Kolkata Connect’, your chance to view Kolkata as you have never done before, and this applies just as much to tourists as it does to locals.

For those not in the know, this is a tour of Kolkata’s most prominent and iconic heritage landmarks, courtesy the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL), from 1.30 to 6.00 pm, on board a lovely double-decker bus, itself an integral part of Kolkata’s heritage.

The itinerary for the tour looks like this:

1.30 pm: Reporting at Tourism Centre, Kolkata

2.00 pm: Starting from Tourism Centre, drive past Lalit Great Eastern Hotel, Raj Bhavan, Curzon Park, Red Road Crossing, Akashvani Bhavan

2.15 pm: St John’s Church

2.35 pm: Leave St John’s Church, drive past Currency Bhavan, GPO, Reserve Bank of India, Writer’s Building, Park Street, Maidan, Fort William, Red Road, Babu Ghat

3.05 pm: Eden Gardens

3.20 pm: Leave Eden Gardens, drive past High Court

3.30 pm: Prinsep Ghat

4.00 pm: Leave Prinsep Ghat (toward Victoria Memorial through PTS)

4.15 pm: Victoria Memorial (tea & biscuits will be served)

5.00 pm: Leave Victoria Memorial

Drop off points will be St John’s Church, Eden Gardens, Prinsep Ghat,

Victoria Memorial. Guests may end the tour at Victoria Memorial, or at the Tourism

Centre at 5.30 pm.

Guide fees, bus charges, parking fees and entrance charges are all included in the

Package, which costs Rs 499 per head. No refund is admissible after booking or change of dates, the package is not refundable, no pre/postponement allowed.

A word for tourists booking the first floor (upper deck) of the double decker bus – make sure you take proper protective measures like umbrella and sunscreen protection as per your convenience, since the first floor is roofless.

Lamahatta encouraging eco-tourism since 2012

Ecotourism guarantees that biodiversity and ecological harmony of the environment will not be damaged. The locals will closely collaborate on the growth of the tourism industry and manage businesses that will enable them to profit from it, making it long-term and sustainable. Lamahatta, in West Bengal, has set up an example of being one of the best eco-tourism destinations in India.

The serene hamlet of Lamahatta is located at an altitude of about 5,700 feet. It is only 23 kilometers from Darjeeling and takes over an hour to reach there by car. In late 2012, Lamahatta developed as an eco-tourism place. The word ‘Lama’ stands for Buddist Monk and ‘Hatta’ for a hut, making Lamahatta a monk’s hermitage.

Lamahatta offers beautiful natural attractions enough to lure the minds of tourists. You can see a beautiful garden stretched vastly along the sloppy hill here, known as the ‘Roadside Garden’ or Lamahatta Eco Park. It is shadowed by a forest of tall dhupi and pine trees. Walking by the shrubs of colorful seasonal flowers, you would notice several gazebos made of wood and bamboo. You can sit leisurely or indulge in meditation for a while. The Eco Park is embellished with rows of colorful flags, fluttering in the chilly wind. You will also find a wooden watch tower, offering a clear view of the entire Lamahatta. With a clear sky, you can see the peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Tiger Hill, Namchi, portions of Darjeeling, and the beautiful Rangeet river flowing below.

A short nature trail through the woods would take you to the small lake, which the villagers here consider to be a sacred one. However, you must take the guidance of a local as the forest trail is not well marked at places. Do not forget to catch the breathtaking view of the confluence of rivers Teesta and Rangeet located about 10 kilometers from here.

Visit the Lamahatta Monastery located only 1.5 kilometers from Lamahatta Eco Park. You can trek from Lamahatta to Takdah forest, where you could see the alluring Takdah Orchid Centre. Or, you can trek towards the Gari Danda fort nearby. Passing through the lovely Peshok Tea gardens, you can visit Tinchuley, another wonderful mountain hamlet only 6 kilometers away from Lamahatta.

Lamahatta is 72 kilometers from Siliguri and would take 3.5 hours to reach. Darjeeling and Kalimpong are also not much away from Lamahatta. You can stay at the Darjeeling Tourism property, an initiative by WBTDC, and experience the magic of the hills.

Heading – Raichak – the perfect one-day trip

The tiny and cozy town named Raichak lies on the banks of the Hooghly River. Raichak is only 60 kilometers from Kolkata and 15 kilometers from the infamous Diamond harbor. On hiring a cab from Kolkata, it will take a maximum of 2 hours to reach Raichak.

In the 18th century, the Dutch had built a fort on a river bend of Raichak, which has turned into ruins in recent times. Raichak gained back its lost importance with the development of Haldia, as it serves as the link between Haldia and Kolkata.

One should visit Raichak during the period between October to March, as the weather then becomes pleasant and the temperature drops down to a bearable range. The Raichak Fort is the most popular tourist attraction here. It was one of the most beautiful forts in India and continues to be one after its renovation a few years back. After being left ignored for a long time, it was finally taken over by a group of hotels that named it The F Fort. However, one can still spend time appreciating the Anglo-Indian architecture that predominates the edifice.

Once in Raichak, you can quietly savor the spectacular sunset standing on the ghats of the Hooghly River. Or, can board a ferry from Raichak jetty or Nurpur jetty, heading towards Gadiara. You can even reach Diamond harbor from where you can book a daylong river trip on a cruise over Hooghly.

Only 15 kilometers from Raichak, Daimon Harbour once used to be a port bustling with life. You can still notice large water vessels stranded by the port. You will get to see Chingrikhali fort here, the ancient Portuguese fort which once used to be the refuge of Portuguese pirates. Standing here, you can also spot a lighthouse, belonging to the bygone era. A lot of tourists arrive at Raichak to visit the Ashram of Sarisha Ramkrishna Mission. 

You can also take a tour of the nearby Joynagar town, where you would find a collection of ancient manuscripts belonging to Kalidas Dutta, terracotta figurines, and idols of Hindu deities carved out of black stone. Adding to it is the local market selling handicrafts made by the artisans of Joynagar.

You can either plan a one-day trip to Raichak or move towards places like Gangasagar, Kakdwip, Namkhana, and Bakkhali from Diamond Harbour. 

You now have a brand new place to stay on your next Sundarbans trip

Free and fast Internet, excellent multi-cuisine restaurant, well-maintained and comfortable AC rooms, laundry service – all in the heart of the Sundarbans. Sounds good? The real experience is even better once you visit Matla Tourism Property (formerly Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge), run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

The objective is to offer comfortable accommodation at affordable tariffs, but Matla Tourism Property offers you more than value for money when it comes to hospitality. Located entirely within the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, the property is constructed largely of wood, and powered by a 24×7 generator. The extremely helpful staff go out of their way to make your stay comfortable, and complimentary pick up and drop is provided by WBTDCL from Gadkhali ferry ghat.

Particularly for those looking for a perfect weekend getaway, Matla Tourism Property is ideal since it is very close to the Sundarban National Park. You can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities arranged by the property, or simply walk around the fenced-in and absolutely safe, spacious compound in the company of cheerful monkeys. The property has 24 rooms across two floors, and each room is equipped with all basic modern conveniences.

Places of interest near Matla Tourism Property include Sajnekhali Watchtower and Tiger Reserve, Sudhanyakhali, Jhingakhali, Burir Dabri, and Dobanki Watchtower. The sheer thrill of such close proximity to the world’s largest mangrove forests, home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, is hard to describe in words. The silence around the property is punctuated by continuous birdsong and the chattering of monkeys, giving you the feeling that you have walked right into the lap of nature.

The easiest way to get here is to drive to Gadkhali from Kolkata, a distance of about 83 km, and take the complimentary ferry to the property. There is ample parking space at the Gadkhali ferry ghat, so your vehicle is safe. Alternatively, you could travel to Canning by bus or car, about 55 km away, and take the ferry from there.

For booking and other details, do visit the property’s page on the WBTDCL website.

Gangasagar 2022 held with all Covid protocol in place

Sagar Island is about 100 km south of Kolkata

The holy pilgrimage to Gangasagar Mela, also known as Gangasagar Yatra or Ganga Snan, makes up the second largest congregation of Hindu pilgrims in India after the Kumbh Mela. It is an annual holy event held on Makar Sankranti (the last day of the month of Poush, usually corresponding to January 14 or 15), at the point where the river Ganga merges with the Bay of Bengal.

In 2023, for example, Makar Sankranti will be held on January 14. This is the day considered the most auspicious for a dip in the sacred waters of the Ganga. However, plenty of devotees also bathe in the river the next day. Devotees from all over the country, and many other parts of the world, gather in their hundreds of thousands for the early-morning ‘snan’ (bath), while chanting hymns to Lord Surya, the sun god. The carnival is held every year at Sagar Island, situated on the tip of the Ganges delta at the top of the Bay of Bengal. After the sacred dip, the pilgrims offer puja at the Kapil Muni Temple or Ashram. 

Should you be among the attendees, we suggest you book your stay at the Gangasagar Tourism Property run by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDCL). Accommodation in Gangasagar is always a slightly tricky prospect, since no private accommodation is available in the Gangasagar temple area. But at Gangasagar Tourism Property, you will have:

• 24-hour generator facility
• Full AC
• Attached bathroom
• Car parking
• Colour television
• Hot water
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Western style toilet

We will do everything we can to make your Gangasagar experience as memorable as possible. As they say, ‘sab tirath bar bar, Gangasagar ek bar’ (no matter how many pilgrimages you make, they are equal to one visit to Gangasagar).

Gangasagar or Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges delta about 100 km south of Kolkata, covering an area a little over 12 sq km. The island is a popular tourist attraction anyway, even without the  annual fair, and offers the charms of an unspoilt beach on the estuary, with acres of silver sand and clear blue sky, and the calm sea stretching as far as the eye can see.

The island is still relatively unknown and thus, unexploited. It also has a lighthouse, offering spectacular views of the beach, and sunrise and sunset.

For booking and other details, do visit the property’s page on the WBTDCL website.