In the 17th -18th century, Krishnaram Ray, belonging to a merchant family from Punjab, established the zamindari of Bardhaman on a farman issued by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The Rays went on to rule Bardhaman till 1955. Scattered in and around Bardhaman are quite a few places of interest. The majestic Curzon Gate, now known as Vijoy Toran, was erected in 1903 in Lord Curzon’s honour. One km from the Gate is the Royal Palace. The tomb of Sher Afghan, the last of the Afghan jagirdars in Bardhaman, is located at Pir Beharam in Kanchannagar. Also of interest are Golapbag - the garden of roses -, which also has beautiful water tanks, and the Hawa Mahal. Unique among the temples are the ornate Palki Krishna Chanraji Temple and the Pratapeswar Temple, a 108-temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples are divided into two circles with black and white lingas. Not to be missed are the Lalji Temples with 25 spires, and the Ambika Temple.

Chandannagore was a French colony. This beautifully laid out town, on the bank of the river Hoogly, has a promenade ideal for strolls. The French settlers arrived here in 1673 and the churches, convent and the French Administrator’s residence are the points of interest.Chandannagore is of special interest during the Jagadhdhatri festival which is held during Oct-Nov every year, when the entire place is lighted up and even at night the place is as brightly illuminated as day. The lightings mostly depict the current events.

How To Reach :It is 39 km north of Calcutta and may be reached by road and rail services.

Nestled in the towering snow-capped mountains with Kanchenjungha dominating the sombre, snowy sentinels, is the most beautiful hill station of West Bengal, Darjeeling -- graceful, elegant, sophisticated and beautiful.

The name Darjeeling has Tibetan origins and means a place where Indra's thunderbolt or sceptre rested, (Dodi - thunder bolt, Ling - place). In Sanskrit, it is transcribed as 'Durjay Linga,' and refers to the Lord Shiva. To local people, “Darjeeling” means the abode of God Durjay linga. Tea plantations in the area are an added attraction and produce a substantial part of the world's tea.

At an altitude of 2,590 m (8,482 ft) stands the Tiger Hill, 11 km off the town. Pass through the dense forests dotted with oaks, magnolia, rhododendrons, primulas and other alpine flowers which lead to the road to Senchal, running through Ghoom upto Tiger Hill. Watching the sun rise from behind the Tiger Hill is a heavenly experience. Conducted tours often take tourists on trips to the Tiger Hill and the local Buddhist monastery.

About 225 km off the hill town stands Mt. Everest. Tibet's Chomol Hari mountain, often described as the world's most beautiful peak, is about 135 km off the town. Kanchenjunga stands 28,146 ft tall, Kabru at 24,000 ft and Janu at 25,300 ft, and all the three look conical. Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world.

Tourist spots around Darjeeling

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:

Just two km off the Mall stands the Tenzing Norge Mountaineering Institute. It displays the equipment Norge used during his epoch-making conquest of Mount Everest along with Edmund Hillary. The museum also has a rich collection of Himalayan flora and fauna. Close to the museum stands the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which boasts of high-altitude wildlife including Siberian tigers, Himalayan back bears, pandas, deer and leopards.

Natural History Museum
The museum of Natural History also pertains to the specific charms of the region.

Step Aside

Step Aside was the home of Indian freedom-fighter Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das where he lived and died on June 16, 1925. Step aside also holds the secret of the second Kumar of Bhowal of the famous "Bhowal Sanyasi" case. It is believed that Kumar was found dead in this house by a sadhu and cremated at a Hindu burning ghat. Twelve years later, on his death anniversary, the Kumar appeared in Dacca and laid claim to his estate. Who died at Step Aside and who was cremated remains a mystery till date.

Sister Nivedita Memorial

Swami Vivekananda’s aide, Sister Nivedita, were cremated at the place where the memorial stands today,just below the Railway Station on the way to the Victoria Falls..Religious discourses are held there every Sunday.

The Lebong Race Track

The Lebong Race Track is the smallest and highest racetrack in the world. Races are held here regularly under the aegis of the Gymkhana Club. The track is eight km off the Chaurastha, and the racing season here is between May- June and October-November.

Dhirdham Temple

The temple was built following the pattern of the great Pashupatinath Temple of Nepal in 1939, and is situated below the railway station.

Sree Mandir

The Hindu temple of Sree Mandir, which stands next to N.P.H. Library and Hall just below the market square, offers pujas daily. Annual Durga Pujas are held in September-October.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is part of Kalajhora, a small stream, and is close to the railway station. From 100 ft high, the water rushes down through deep ravines to Sidrapong. There is bridge over the stream. The Victoria Falls are harnessed for generating power for Darjeeling and its suburbs, and is India’s first hydel project.

Happy Valley Tea Estate

The Happy Valley Tea Estate is closest to Darjeeling and stretches across 3 km in the hilly region. Tea is also processed here.

Bhutia Bustee and Aloobari Monasteries

The Bhutia Bustee Tibetan monastery is 1.5 km from Chaurastha, the road swerving sharply downwards from “Step Aside.” The monastery belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhist lamas. The Aloobari Monastery is three km to the south of the hill town, en route to Ghoom on the Tenzing Norgay Road. Both monasteries have brightly colored and carved roofs.

Yiga-Cholang Buddhist Monastery at Ghoom

This monastery lies eight km off Darjeeling at a height of about 8,000 ft above sea level, along the highest rail-road station in the world, the last lap of the journey before tourists reach the Batasia loop. The monastery belongs to the Yellow Sect of Buddhists which worships a 15-foot statue of the "Coming Buddha" (Maitreya Buddha).

Batasia Loop

Batasia ("windy place") offers a grand view of Darjeeling town perched atop the hill slopes, with the majestic Kanchenjunga in the background. Aboard the toy train from Siliguri to Darjeeling just below Ghoom and 5 km from Darjeeling is the Batasia Loop - an engineering marvel that actually effected the successful establishment of the narrow gauge railway tracks between Darjeeling and Siliguri.

Senchal Lake

The Senchal lake is situated at an altitude of 8,160 ft and lies 10 km to the southeast of Darjeeling. It is a wonderfuk picnic spot and has a golf course.The lake also serves as a standing reservoir and accounts for water supplies in Darjeeling.

How To Reach :Take a Land Rover or the Toy Train from Siliguri. The quaint narrow gauge steam railway meanders its way from Siliguri in the plains below up to Ghoom and Darjeeling in the hills.

Mayapur is the headquarters of ISKON. The Chandroday Temple, set amidst a garden, is a picturesque sight. There are quite a few big and small temples also.Staying at Mayapur gives one the feeling of how ardent worship is. The system of everyone eating together and then clearing one's own dishes brings about a feeling of equality among all rich or poor, old or young.

How To Reach :There are bus services from Calcutta and from Krishnanagar. Bus services are also organised by the ISKCON and details are available from their office on Albert Road.

The great social reformer and saint Sri Chaitanya was born here in 1486. Nabadwip is the seat of the Vaishnava culture in Bengal and an ancient center of Sanskrit studies. Sonargouranga, the temple with the golden statue of Sri Chaitnaya, is the most important shrine here. There is a profusion of temples, each one worth a visit. Nabadwip remains an important pilgrimage center in Bengal.

How To Reach :It is about 19 km from Krishnanagar and 120 km north from Calcutta, and stands on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.It is connected by bus and rail service from Calcutta.

In 1901, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore founded a school in the traditional gurukul system here. Born into the famous Tagore family of Jorasanko, Calcutta, Rabindranath Tagore’s vision was of a world where humanity would be in perfect harmony with nature. Shantiniketan (abode of peace) is the fruition of that vision. The Visva Bharati University at Shantiniketan, 2 km from the nearest railway station Bolpur, is now a center of international studies and culture. Uttarayan, a complex where Rabindranath lived, has a museum and art gallery. The university is also open to visitors. The charm of Shantiniketan lies in its very special ethos.In 1901, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore founded a school in the traditional gurukul system here. Born into the famous Tagore family of Jorasanko, Calcutta, Rabindranath Tagore’s vision was of a world where humanity would be in perfect harmony with nature. Shantiniketan (abode of peace) is the fruition of that vision. The Visva Bharati University at Shantiniketan, 2 km from the nearest railway station Bolpur, is now a center of international studies and culture. Uttarayan, a complex where Rabindranath lived, has a museum and art gallery. The university is also open to visitors. The charm of Shantiniketan lies in its very special ethos.58 km from Shantiniketan, Bakreswar is famous for its hot springs.

How To Reach :It is 212 km north from Calcutta, road and railway connect Shantiniketan.The nearest railway station is Bolpur.

King Raghunath I of the Malla dynasty founded Vishnupur. It flourished as the capital of the Mallas till the early 19th century. Since there is no stone in the area, the traditional building material was brick. The exquisite craftsmanship of the terracotta artisans is evident in the terracotta temples of Vishnupur. The potters here derive their inspiration from the glorious history of kings, soldiers and wars. A music school, root of the Vishnupur Gharana, was established here in 1370 A.D. Vishnupur is also known for silk (tussar), particularly the Baluchari Sarees. Woven on unusual ‘punch-card’ looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana woven into the border and pallu. Bellmetalware, conch-shell jewellery and pottery (the famous Bankura Horse) are available here.

How To Reach : It is located in Bankura district, 152-km northwest from Calcutta. Both train and bus may reach Vishnupur. The trains can be availed from Howrah and the buses from the Esplanade terminus.