Paschim Banga Tourist Guide

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Paschim Banga houses the sub-Himalayan and Himalayan regions in the northern part and the Gangetic Plains in the southern part.

About Paschim Banga

Paschim Banga was conquered by the British in 1757, and Calcutta (now Kolkata) was made the capital of British India.Kolkata is now the capital city of Paschim Banga, and Bengali is the most widely spoken language here. From the start of 1000 BC, Paschim Banga has always been an important commercial center in India.

Where is Paschim Banga

Paschim Banga is a state in the eastern part of India. Paschim Banga shares international borders with Bangladesh to the east, Bhutan to the northeast and Nepal to the northwest. Paschim Banga is covered by Sikkim to the north, Bihar and Jharkhand to the west, Assam to the east and the Bay of Bengal to the south. Ganges is the main river that cuts Paschim Banga. The other rivers that flow in Paschim Banga are Bhagirathi, Hooghly, Damodar, Teesta and Mahananda.

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... Major Cities

Kolkata, Howrah, Darjeeling, Haldia, Durgapur and Kharagpur are prominent cities in Paschim Banga. Kolkata is the most populated and the largest city in Paschim Banga. Howrah is the major industrial hub in Paschim Banga. Darjeeling is a picturesque hill station located on the Himalayas. Durgapur is the fourth largest city in Paschim Banga and an industrial city. Kharagpur, the fifth largest city in Paschim Banga, also has the longest railway platform in the world.

Places to Visit

Gangasagar in South 24 Paraganas, Dakshineshwar in North 24 Paraganas, Tarapith in Birbhum, Tarakeshwar and Furfura Sharif in Hooghly, Kalighat in Kolkata and Belur Math in Howrah are some of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations in Paschim Banga.

St. Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie, Writer's Building, Princep Ghat, Town Hall and Marble Palace in Kolkata are heritage sites in Paschim Banga. The Howrah Bridge on river Hooghly is a world famous cantilever bridge. The ShovabazarRajbari which holds the Durgapuja festival every year is an important tourist destination.

The Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve is the only one of its kind in the country. The rich diversity of flora and fauna in this area provide livelihood to over a million people who have settled down here. Project Tiger was commenced here with an idea to save the remaining tiger population from becoming extinct.

Digha, Mandarmani, Gangasagar, Shankarpur, Tajpur and Bakkhali beaches provide the tourists a relaxing and comfortable setting to spend their vacation.

Gorumara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Singalila National Park, Neora Valley National Park and Sunderbans National Park are the five national parks in Paschim Banga.

The Himalayas plays a major role in bringing in tourists to the state. There are beautiful hill stations like Darjeeling and Kalimpong and trekking spots across the northern region of Paschim Banga.

How to Reach
Air: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata plies regular flights to international cities. Paschim Banga also has 5 domestic airports that connect the state to the rest of the major cities in India.

Rail: Eastern Railways and South Eastern Railways take care of the railway lines in Paschim Banga. The North Eastern Railways also ply trains in the northern part of the state. The first underground railway network in India was built by Kolkata Metro. The Darjeeling-Himalaya railway line is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Road: There are 15 National Highways and as many State Highways that link Paschim Banga with various states in India. The roads in Paschim Banga are of substandard quality and have been poorly maintained. Taxis and autos can be hired to travel within the city.

Sea: The Kolkata Port Trust maintains both Haldia and Kolkata docks. There are regular passenger services to Andaman and Nicobar Island and cargo services to ports within India.