Category: West Bengal

Kurseong, Lepcha means small white orchid

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Kurseong, the name in Lepcha means small white orchid and the place is often referred to as the land of the white orchid which grows in abundance throughout the year. Kurseong is located at a distance of 32 kilometers to the south of Darjeeling and is often referred to as the young sister of the Queen of Hills that is Darjeeling. Kurseong stands at an elevation of 1458 meters and experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. It is also known as the gateway to north Bengal and is surrounded by beautifully trimmed tea estates attracting tourists all the year round.

Attractions in Kurseong

Kurseong is a popular destination where lots of eminent personalities have spent a considerable time of their lives. Among them were Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sister Nivedita and also Mark Twain. One of the highlights of Kurseong is the Makaibari Tea Estate. Visitors are allowed to see the organic procedure of processing tea here. Trips are free and mornings are the best time to visit.

The Ambootia and Castleton Tea Estate also welcome visitors to their aromatic factory. There is an old graveyard of St. Andrews as a poignant reminder of the era of tea planters. Walk down to Eagle’s Craig or trek to Deer Park to enjoy your day. From Eagle’s Craig you can witness the golden rays of the sun on the Himalayan range which is a visual treat. Visit the Museum of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and also the Forestry Museum to gather knowledge. On the way there are several religious temples, churches, Buddha gompa and mosques. Do not forget to trek to the Balason River and visit Chimney village which is home to a 100 year old gigantic chimney.

You will be able to enjoy your trip to Kurseong if you visit during March through Mid June and September through December.

How to reach Kurseong

Getting in the little town of Kurseong is easy as it is nicely connected with the rest of north Bengal through railway and road. Shuttle jeeps are available from New Jalpaiguri station to Kurseong which approximately takes 2 hours by Hill Cart Road and 1 hour by Old Army Road or Pankhabari Road. The route through Hill Cart Road is often preferred by tourists because they can relish on the visual treat provided by the Himalayan range. The jeeps normally charge 40 INR for 1.5 hours from Darjeeling. Traveling by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s steam toy train is the best experience you can have enroute to Kurseong. Leaving at 6 in the morning it provides ample opportunity for the tourist to capture the pretty sight while moving up the winding railway track.

Where to stay in Kurseong

Accommodation in Kurseong is aplenty. Right from tourist lodges to hotels are available for the visitors. However, if you want to experience the lifestyle of the residents, then homestay facility is the best option. Many families of the Makaibari tea estate offer this facility which includes rooms, typical Kurseong meals, exploring the tea garden and also taking part in the local development programs. They usually charge 800 INR for rooms and meals.

Phalut, a table top on the Singalila ridge

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Phalut is a table top on the Singalila ridge of the Himalayas located on the same trekking trail as Sandakphu. Its distance from Sandakphu is 23 kilometers which takes around 7 hours to trek. Phalut means a bare table top mountain and is 3600 meters in height. The Singalila ridge is a famous spur lying at the southern end of a prolonged crest running down from the Kanchenjunga massif forming the Sikkim and Nepal border. Trekkers love to climb the various ridges of the Himalayas not only because it throws lot of challenge to them but also because of the scenic beauty of the surroundings. The route along the high ridge through small settlements is absolutely spellbinding. Continue reading →

Chamurchi, hill town located at Indo-Bhutan border

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Chamurchi is a small hill town located at the Indo-Bhutan border. It is a relatively new tourist destination and is far from the madding crowds. You can explore this hill station without much chaos and people who have already visited the town wish to come back here again and again. It is a place of natural abundance and generally has a soothing effect on the mind and body of the tourists.

The lush green sprawling tea gardens, the cascading rivers and the small market add to the charm of this small yet pristine hill station of Chamurchi. One of the major attractions of this small town is the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga which looks breathtakingly beautiful.

Top tourist attractions in Chamurchi

The Musical Stone Cave – The Musical Stone Cave is another highlight of Chamurchi. The interesting part of this cave is that when you strike one of the stones inside the cave, the sound traverses as a musical tune to the ears. It is a unique experience for the visitor and the best part is that it is located at a distance of only 3 kilometers. If you decide to trek the road to the cave you will be considerably rewarded with beautiful scenes from the natural reserves of Chamurchi. The Diana River flows through this region giving life to the flora and fauna around it. Wild animals are sometimes spotted drinking from the river.

Garuchira, Kalapani and Rohiti – Garuchira, Kalapani and Rohiti are located close by and do not miss them while you are exploring Chamurchi. They are equally rewarding in terms of tourist attractions. The forests of these regions are home to leopards, elephants and gaurs that are easily visible.

Tea Gardens – One of the primary attractions of Chamurchi is the tea garden. The quaint tea gardens at Chamurchi though not in a good condition can still attract tourists. There is a Mukti Bungalow in Chamurchi which not many people know about. Thanks to the discerning travelers to these parts of the world that this bungalow was discovered and now tourists with adventurous interests are finding it interesting.

Shopping in Chamurchi – Take a walk through the Chamurchi bazaar and explore the shops there. You might also collect a souvenir.

Best time to visit Chamurchi

Chamurchi can be visited through the year, however, try to avoid the rains because it gets dangerous at times.

How to reach Chamurchi

Tourists generally visit Chamurchi on a tour of Dooars though it is slightly off route on private cars. The easiest route to Chamurchi from Kolkata is boarding the Kanchankanya Express departing from Sealdah and arriving at New Mal Junction. You can hire a car from here to take you to Chamurchi and the fare will be 900 INR.

Accommodation in Chamurchi

Accommodation in Chamurchi is sparse. The only place for tourists is the Eco Resort which charges 800-900 INR for double bed rooms and 325 INR for food.

After you have reveled in the natural beauty of the place, it is time to visit Samtse in Bhutan. It is only a short distance away and is equally spectacular. There is a monastery in Samtse which can be visited early in the morning.

Darjeeling, Queen of Hill Stations

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Darjeeling, situated on the lofty Himalayas, is a part of West Bengal. It was built by the British and is known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations.’ It is particularly famous for its natural beauty. The mountain ranges, tea gardens and snow covered Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, provide a unique opportunity to tourists who can relax amid nature here. The sight of red rhodendrons, swift flowing Teesta river and green tea estates are particularly breath taking.

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Farah Bag in Lalbagh, Murshidabad

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Farah Bag is the third of the garden trio in Lalbagh which means ‘garden of pleasure’. Farah Bagh is the smallest among the garden trio and is located on the banks of Bhagirath River. Dahapara, the famous settlement of the Qanungo is situated on the south-western part of Farah Bagh. Farah Bagh is reckoned for its beauty and charm and Ali Jah of the Nawabs used to stay here after an extensive tour of his lands. It has canals, palaces, reservoirs, fountains which make it immensely attractive. The common myth about Farah Bagh is that fairies used to come down to this paradise on earth to spend their time.

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Roshni Bag, Muqbara of Suja-ud-Daulah, Murshidabad

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Roshni Bag is the mausoleum or muqbara of Suja-ud-Daulah located in Murshidabad district. Suja-ud-Daulah dies in 1739 and was buried in this spot. When translated in English it means ‘garden of lights’. Once you enter the premises, you will notice a 3 domed brick built mosque in the northwestern part stands enclosed in a walled compound. The mausoleum of Suja-ud-Daulah can be seen from the mosque as a rectangular structure. Arriving at the spot is easy by a car; taxi or you can simply walk to it if you are staying around. This place is of utmost significance to the students of history and archaeology.

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Jain Temples of Azimganj, Murshidabad

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Azimganj small town in Murshidabad is home to 7 Jain temples of immense historical, architectural and spiritual value are located. They are:

Sri Neminathji Temple, Azimganj was built in Samvat 1943 by Shree Singh covering an area of 2933, 2616 Sq. Mt.

Sri Padam Prabhuji Temple, Azimganj was constructed in 1880 AD by Yati Bijay Chandji Khattargachhit covering an area of 764.0173 Sq. Mt. The idols are 500 years old.

Sri Sumatinathji Temple, Azimganj was built in 1856 AD by Uttam CHandji Nahar and was rebuilt by Setab Chandji Nahar in 1897 AD. This temple covers an area of 421.8674 Sq. Mt.

Sri Sambhavnathji Temple, Azimganj was founded in 1886 AD by Rai Dhanpat Singhji Dugar and covers an area of 3665.6731 Sq. Mt. This temple is home to the larges idol of Jain Swtambaras in Eastern India.

Sri Chintamani Parasnathji Temple, Azimganj was built in 1888 AD by Manhot family and the idols are 500 years old.

Sri Shantinathji Temple, Azimganj was constructed in 1873 AD by Gulab Kumari Bibi and one of the idols belongs to Samvat 1510.

Ram Bagh Samalia Parasnath Mandir and Dadabari, Azimganj was built in 1870 AD by Shree Singh. This temple complex is also home to temples from Jangipur, Kiaganj, Cossimbazar which were rebuilt here.

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Cossimbazar Kuthi, Murshidabad

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Cossimbazar Kuthi is a relatively less popular tourist spot in Murshidabad. The bazaar area used to be famous due to its silk production which has reduced these days. However, the Cossimbazar Kuthi stall stands at present. During its heyday Cossimbazar Kuthi used to be the residence of Babu Jagabandhu Roy, who was a high class Kulin during the Nawab’s time. He also became the chief of the Cossimbazar Silk Factory in 1760AD. It is also known that Job Charnock had worked in the capacity of assistant in this Kuthi for INR 300.

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Dutch Cemetery in Murshidabad

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The Dutch Cemetery is located next to the Cossimbazar railway station at Kalkapur where the Dutch owned huge factories in the year 1666 AD were based. The grandeur of the Dutch has been ruined and small tombs of 43 in number remain to this day. Most of the monuments were built between 1721 and 1792 AD. The oldest monument at the Dutch cemetery belongs to Daniel van der Muyl who died in 1721. Most of the monuments are pyramidal in shape with cenotaphs mentioning the names. Some of the popular and relatively less ruined ones include Gregorius Herklots, Matthias Arnoldus Brahe, tamerus Cantes Vischer. The cemetery is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

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Jafarganj Muqbara near Hazarduari Palace, Murshidabad

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Jafarganj Muqbara or cemetery was built on an area of 3.51 acres by Mir Jafar. It is located approximately half a mile north to the Hazarduari Palace premises inside the bigger campus of Namak Haram Deuri. The cemetery is enclosed within waved walls and is the final resting place of the Nawabs belonging to the Najafi dynasty from Nawab Nazim to Humayun Jah. Nawab Nazim Syud Ahmed Najafi’s tomb was later shifted to Karbala in Arab. It is also home to the graves of Syud Ahmed Najafi (Mir Jafar’s father), Shan Khanum Begum (Alivardi Khan’s sister), Munny and Babbu Begum (Mir Jafar’s widows), Muhammad Ali Khan (Mir Jafar’s brother), Ashraf Ali Khan and Ismail Ali Khan (Mir Jafar’s brother-in-laws).  This cemetery is now maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India and the entry fee is 3 INR only.

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