6 must do things when in Pondicherry

Pondicherry, one of the few erstwhile colonies of French in India, is today one of the most popular destinations in South India. Located in the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal, this tiny Union Territory is renowned for its unique mix of heritage, spirituality and natural beauty.

Beach-Promenade

We tell you the 6 must do things when in Pondicherry:-

-->

Heritage Walk in the Pondicherry Town

The architecture and town planning of Pondicherry is distinct as this territory was under the French rule for nearly 281 years. A remarkable degree of French influence in Pondicherry exists to this date. Pondicherry was designed based on the French (originally Dutch) grid pattern and features neat sectors and perpendicular streets. The town is divided into two sections: the French Quarter (Ville Blanche or ‘White town’) and the Indian quarter (Ville Noire or ‘Black Town’). A heritage walk in both the French and Indian quarters of the town makes for a wonderful experience.

Heritage-Walk-Pondichery

Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Pondicherry is the spiritual home of Sri Aurobindo and his spiritual partner, The Mother. Both their personalities and work continue to greatly influence this town and its people.  The Aurobindo Ashram is located in the French quarters of the town and it’s a must visit. The eternal Samadhi of both Sri Aurobindo and Mother are lie here.

-->

Sri-Aurobindo-Ashram

Experience Promenade Road & Beach

The Promenade Road and Beach and the main hub of the entire town and from morning till evening, it makes for a delightful experience. While in the morning, all fitness enthusiasts can be seen walking up and down the road, in the evening, people from all walks of life converge here to spend some quality time. The Promenade beach is a beautiful beach and the calm waters of the Bay of Bengal crashing against the rocks makes for a fantastic visual experience.

Promenade-Road-to-Beach

Go all out shopping

Pondicherry is a shopper’s paradise. There are so many indigenous brands and shops selling variety of things. From clothes to accessories to crockery to bags, one is spoilt for choice!!!

-->

Shopping-in-Pondicherry

Indulge in Eating experiences

Pondicherry boasts of a superb Creole cuisine thanks to its French heritage. There are many restaurants, cafes and patisseries dotting the town, which make for an amazing gastronomic experience. When in  Pondicherry, take your time out to visit the market and French quarters, where you will discover many cafes and restaurants and any one of them can turn out be a lifelong favorite.

Health-Eating-Pondicherry

Visit Auroville

Auroville, the spiritual city established by The Mother is a must visit when in Pondicherry. It makes for an spiritually uplifting experience and completes the visit to this wonderful destination.

Matru-Mandir-Auroville

So, now that we have told you what all to do when in Pondicherry, what are you waiting for??Pack your bags and head off!!

Make this Holi a ‘Barsana’ Special

Mohe Tu Rang De Basanti….Rang De….. It is that time of the year when the VIBGYOR colors dazzle the air, shrieks of joy fills the atmosphere ,when folks greet each other with colored water and mouth watering sweets. Holi, popularly known as the festival of colors is celebrated in March announcing the arrival of spring. This year Holi will be celebrated during 27 March 2013.

Rango-ki-bochaar-holi-ka-tyohaar

Holi, irrespective of caste or creed is an opportunity for people to get together and have some fun. Bonfires are lit and people dance around it. The pot with butter hung from a distance from the ground is broken as a team game. People climb on top of each other, forming a specific pattern like that of a human ladder to reach the pot. Variety of sweet dishes are made like the Puran Poli, Gujiya, Dahi Bhalle, Kanji Vade, Bhang ke Pakore, Malpua and much more.

Gujia

The origin of the festival of Holi dates back to the Puranas. Prahlad was punished by his father for worshipping Lord Vishnu. So he was taken to the fire by demoness Holika who ultimately got killed while Prahlad escaped miraculously. The burning of Holika symbolizes the destruction of evil and all things bad. So during Holi people cleanse their homes by burning what they feel is bad for them. Another story goes by the concept of Lord Krishna teasing Gopikas by throwing colors at them. Yet another story is that of Kamadeva getting reunited with his wife Rati spiritually after Lord Shiva cursed him into death.

Bhakt-Prahlad

Different parts of the country celebrate Holi in their own ways. The most interesting of the different celebrations is the one in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh. The famous Lath Mar Holi is their way of celebrating it. The women and men indulge themselves in a wonderful interactive game; the women beat the men with sticks while the men taunt them. The audience encourages this and has great fun watching this. In Mathura and Vrindavan, there are special pujas on this occasion. In Delhi also the festival is celebrated with zeal and zest.

Lathmar-Holi-Barsana

Hola Mohalla is the Holi that is celebrated by the Sikh community. Started by the tenth Guru Gobind Singh, Hola Mohalla displays the military power of the Sikhs. The three day festival mocks battles and has a variety of competitions that involves in the get together of the community. Display of swordsmanship and horse riding marks the famous procession which happens at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, a day after the Holi.

Holi-Mohalla

Enjoy this season’s Holi like never before. Feel the water splash across your face, try ‘pichkarying’ your friend and dress in colors like never before.

Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

Kolkata, the original ‘British era’ capital of India is of the most interesting cities to travel. It has an eclectic blend of history, architecture, culture, food and people. Kolkata is one of the popular tourist destination due to its old heritage and culture. However, there are plenty of destinations situated close to Kolkata which can be accessed for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

-->

Shantiniketan

One such place would be Shantiniketan. Also known as the Land of Tagore, this place is generally famous due to its relation to Rabindranath Tagore. Previously known as Bhubandanga after a dacoit who was notorious in the region. It is owned by the Tagore family and Rabindrnath’s father renamed it to Shantiniketan due to it’s calm and serene environment. It means the abode of peace in English. This town is a hub for learning and education. There are several poets from this region who lived in buildings such as konark, Udayana et all.

Shantiniketan

Kala Bhavan is also a college of art and crafts, Sangit bhavan depicts music and dance and many more such universities who teach some part of literature and art. This town has a liking towards music art and culture and these three things depict the nature of the town itself.

kalabhavan

Sunderbans

Sunderbans is one of the most beautiful forests you can come across. Situtated in both Bangladesh as well as India it is the go to place for adventure travellers as well as photographers. Known for the largest mangrove enclosure in the world as well as its rich biodiversity it is no wonder that it has been announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The section under India is known as the Sunderbans National park and covers a huge area of abour 38500 square kilometres. There are over 400 Royal Bengal tigers, the kind it is famous for and more than 30000 deer in the park. The land is covered by water and marsh mostly. It’s name is mostly originated from the sundari trees that it is home to. It gives the best wild life experience anyone can get.

Sunderban

Apart from the Royal Bengal tiger and herds of deer it also has fowls, giant lizards, wild boars and crocodiles that would be a wildlife enthusiasts delight. For the calmer serene type of people the huge group of Siberian ducks are always a treat to watch. 

-->

Royal-Bengal-Tiger

The point where you can catch most of the wildlife action is the Hiron Point. For bird watching one may head to Katka which also has trekking upto a point called kachikali. For wild tiger sightings there is no better place than tin kona island and the fishermen are seen flocking around to the Dublar char island. It is ideal for tourists to refresh their minds and soak in the natural beauty this place has to offer.

Deer-at-Sundarban

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is popular since the Britishers set foot into it and its location is towards the northern side of West Bengal and towards the south of Sikkim. The scenery and the beauty of the destination never ceases to amaze visitors and lures them into a daze of natural beauty. The word arises from Dorje which means thunderbolt or precious stone in the Tibetan dialect. It is believed that the thunderbolt in question is either a symbol of the Lord Indra or a part of the Lamaist religion. All north eastern tours make sure to consider Darjeeling as one of their stops due to its beautiful and important nature. It has an evergreen charm and with its various attractions and monuments it adds to the experience of the journey.

View-of-Kanchenchonga-in-Darjeeling

This city was earlier under the regime of the Sikkim king but later the Gorkhas lost it to the British Empire. The British used the area to great importance and also used it as a getaway to escape the harsh summer in other states. They facilitated tea growing as well as created it as a hill station destination for the people. This made the city famous for its sprawling tea gardens and industries as well as its popular trend of eco-tourism. Their economy is facilitated by the growth and development of timber, tea as well as their tourism.

-->

Darjeeling-Views

Along with tea gardens, they grow oranges and cardamom locally as well. Famous for these as well as the local and traditional handicrafts of Tibetan and Sikkimese nature, these factors make it a well known spot for shopping for traditional art. You are provided with an opportunity to buy shawls, handmade paper, carpets etc that give you an insight into their culture. Also, their food has flavours of Tibetan and Sikkimese infused alongwith the other Indian cuisines as well. The weather is quite pleasant with rainfall that occurs regularly and unexpectedly. Their main visiting seasons are Summer as well as Spring where the rest of the States have a hot and humid climate. With their perfect combination of hills and the amazing view alongwith the fresh and pollution free climate and smiling local friendly faces, this place has been rightfully crowned as the queen of hill stations.

Darjeeling-Tea-Garden

The tourists feel friendly and right at place with the welcoming smiles all around them. The popular sights are accompanied with a toy train that was built in the 19th century. Also marked as a World Heritage, The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway astounds visitors that hop on to it. It stretches over 70 kms and over and passes through an altitude of over 7500 ft. The toy train gives tourists a chance to capture all the beautiful scenery they pass through as well as breathe in the mountain fresh and crisp air. The famous ropeway or the Cable car which is situated in the north point of the city is one of the oldest ropeways carrying passengers. It has connectivity to the bottom of Darjeeling towards the city’s bazaar area.Famous for its picturesque scenery many movies ranging from Bollywood to Bengali film shootings take place here.

Darjeeling-Ropeway

The natural attractions present in this city have no other justifiable substitute and the beauty is incomparable. The mode of transportation in the destination is preferably a four wheeled drive such as Land rovers as they can navigate through the path easily. The trained drivers can skill their way through narrow and steep areas of the hill. This place has an abundance of local festivals all around the year. The festivals are rich and vibrant and colourful and add to the overall experience gained whilst in the city. The tourist can experience and celebrate the festivals himself or herself

Tibetans-in-Darjeeling-cultural-festival

Digha

Digha is also situated in the East Midnapore district with the bay of Bengal on its north. It is only about 200 kilometres away from the city of Kolkata. Due to its close proximity it is one of the most popular sea resorts of Kolkata. It was initially known as Beerkul. It was first set foot upon by the Britishers and was described as Brighton of the east by them. The shallow nature of the sea makes it easy to carry out activities such as swimming, scuba diving, jet skiing and surfing. It is also known  for its various plantations growing around the place. It also has two other beaches in close proximity known as the Udaipur beach and the Shankarpur beach.

Digha-sea-beach-Old

Also for cleanliness purposes and to reduce the ill effects of erosion a new Digha beach has been formed around 2 kilometres away from the old one. The connectivity options are plenty with it having its own railway station and also direct bus facilities. The Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport at Kolkata is the nearest airport.Apart from the beach it also has the largest aquarium in India as well as its own Science centre.

Sunset-in-Digha-Beach

Mandarmani

The next place is Mandarmani. It is a seaside village with a resort facility that is located next to Kolkata. It is quite up and coming and is developing as the next tourist spot. Located in East Midnapore with the Bay of Bengal next to it, it can be accessed through a highway from Kolkata or Howrah. Some statistics claim that it is the longest beach that one can drive upon in India. With comparatively low waves and formations of dunes all around this place is quite calm and serene. If you wish to travel by train getting down at Contai station would be adviced. The sunrise and the sunsets are a specialty and this place is perfect to relax and rejuvenate.

Mandarmoni-sea-beach

Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is in the southern suburbs of Kolkata and is only around 50 kilometres away from the main city. It was initially known as hajipur and has the Ganges flowing next to it. With the industries cropping up in Haldia and the river on the other side this place is an unusual destination to go to for the weekend. It was said to be inhabited by the Portuguese pirates earlier who left behind the ruins of the Chingrikhali Fort. Apart from the fort the Sarisha Ramakrishna mission ashram is also a must see. It also has an ancient light house which compliments the day spent watching the river and passing boats. All these qualities make it the perfect spot to go on a picnic for. It has a pollution free environment and also offers boat tours to the visitors as well as a ferry ride towards Haldia. Diamond Harbour can be accessed through private cabs or buses from Kolkata. Trains also pass through this place.

Diamond-Harbour

Top 10 Beaches in West Bengal

There is no other destination than a beach that can give you complete relaxation and rejuvenation. So, if you are in West Bengal and are looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate, you can pick from any of these top 10 beaches. These beaches are not only known for their natural beauty and charm but are also known to be perfect destinations to unwind.

While in West Bengal, make it a point to visit the following beaches, as these beaches of West Bengal are known for their exquisite beauty and charm.

Bakkahali Beach

One of the many deltaic islands spread across southern Bengal, the Bakkahali Beach is an 8 kilometers long beach that stretches from Bakkahali Island to Frasergunj. This beautiful beach is known for its beautiful rolling waves and pristine sea shore. Both Bakkahali and Frasergunj form twin towns, which are known to be great tourist attractions. The Bakkahali Beach is known for its long line of casurinas that dot the coastline, giving it an all the more pristine and beautiful look. The beach is generally free and not crowded except during holidays. Even then if one area is crowded, there are numerous isolated regions along the coastline. The destination is perfect for a long drive, cycle ride or even long walks.

Bakkhali-Sea-Beach

Diamond Harbour

Located on the southern banks of the Hooghly River, the Diamond Harbour is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which is located in and around Kolkata. Located in the South 24 Parganas district, Diamond Harbour was once known as Hajipur. It got its name Diamond Harbour by the British, and it was believed to be a safe haven for ocean going ships. This Harbour offers a beautiful and spectacular view of the Hooghly River. The Diamond Harbor was even a stronghold of the Portuguese pirates at one point. Another interested destination here is the Chingrikhali fort ruins, which simply adds beauty and charm to an already beautiful harbor.

Diamond-Harbour

Digha Beach

Digha Beach is one of the most popular beaches in West Bengal; this beach is considered one of the most romantic spots of the region and is also one of the biggest tourist attractions of West Bengal. Every year thousands of tourists simply flock to the Digha Beach to spend some relaxing time in this beautiful pristine beach.  The Degha beach is also one of the oldest beaches of West Bengal. While in West Bengal do make it a point to visit this beautiful beach.

Digha-Sea-Beach

Falta Beach

Falta is another one of the popular beaches of West Bengal, and is also a major tourist attraction of the state. The Falta beach is known for its exquisite beauty and rolling waters. Like most of the beaches of West Bengal, the Falta Beach too has a rich colonial history. The region was a British retreat way back in 1756, and it is also is famously known as the region from where Robert Clive reconquered Kolkata. The Damodar River flows down and joins the Hooghly just below the Falta.

Falta-Beach

Frazerganj Beach

Frazerganj Beach along with Bakkahalli form a twin town, this region is known for its pristine white sands and a line of beautiful Casurinas that dot the coastline. Running along 8 kilometers this beach is known for its white sands and is also the prime hub of Pisiculture in India. Along Frazerganj is the famous Henry Island, which is equally picturesque. Like the other beaches of West Bengal, Frazerganj too has colonial history, but there also in an interesting legend attached to the region.

Sunset-at-Frazergunj-Beach

It is said that once the Lt. Governor of Kolkata Andrew Frazer was attracted to the region and decided to come and settle here, he even built a bungalow at Narayanitala, which is a village nearby. There still is the bungalow nearby, however it is in ruins. Frazerganj is one of the most beautiful beaches of West Bengal.

Frazerganj-Beach

Junput Beach

Junput is another one of the famous beach towns of West Bengal, the Junput Beach is known for its natural pristine beauty, which simply makes it stand apart from the other beaches of West Bengal. The beach is surrounded by beautiful trees and it is the perfect destination for a picnic with family and friends. The beach is known for its red crabs and fir trees that dot the coastline.

Junput-Sea-Beach

Sagardwip Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches of West Bengal, Sagardwip is also known as Ganga Sagar. Located on the estuary of the Ganga River, Sagardwip is one of the beautiful unspoilt beaches of West Bengal. Located on the Sunderbans, Sagardwip is a weekend attraction for those who live in Kolkata. Apart from relaxation and rejuvenation, Sagardwip is also a famous pilgrimage spot and destination, as it is point where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. Every Year during the auspicious occasion of Makar Shankaranthi, thousands of pilgrims flock here to take a dip in the waters of Sagardwip.The beach area is known for its clear blue sky and white sands.

Sagardwip-Beach-during-sunset

Sagardwip is also been mentioned in the ancient texts of Ramayana and Mahabharata apart from being featured in the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

Sagardwip-Beach

Shankarpur Beach

Located 14 km east of Digha in West Bengal, the Shankarpur Beach is one of the few virgin beaches of West Bengal. The Shankarpur beach is known for its cool mornings, and there even is great number of fishermen in the region, who are seen hauling their nets in the morning. The region is perfect for numerous photographic opportunities, thanks to the clear waters that simply reflect the rising sun, and the local boats that dot the coastline. Shankarpur is a part of the Kosi Basin, thus making it a very fertile land, and the region is known for its flat alluvial plain. There are numerous temples as well in and around the region.

Shankarpur-Beach

Mandarmoni Beach

Also known as Mandarmani, this beach features in the top ten list of must see beaches of West Bengal. The Mandarmoni beach is relatively calm and most people are known to visit the beach to relax and rejuvenate. The waves are invariably calm and at most times, one can spot fishermen in the waters.

Mandarmoni-Beach-Sunset

There is a river delta known as mohana at the end of the beach and this region is also known for its fishing settlements. There are numerous resorts and hotels along the coastline, which offer a picturesque backdrop of the ocean and the delta. It is interesting to note that while on one side is the fishing village on the other side there are dense jhau trees, and when one goes a bit further on the other side of the bank there is more dense vegetation. While the forest region might appear close, it is rather far and it is unadvisable to attempt going there.

Fisherman-at-Mandarmoni-Sea-Beach

Tajpur Beach

The Tajpur beach too is located on the east of Midnapore. Of all the beaches of West Bengal the Tajpur beach is one of the most recent discoveries of West Bengal. This beach is rapidly gaining popularity and fan following, thanks to the undulating terrain and seclusion that the Tajpur beach offers. It simply is an ideal location for a weekend vacation. This beach is simply infested with numerous red crabs, which sometimes make the coastline look crimson! The beach is also fringed with dense tamarisk trees making the location all the more pristine and picturesque.

Tajpur-Beach-Sunset

Thus, West Bengal simply has too many breathtaking beaches to make a simple mention of them. These beaches are not only popular tourist attractions; they even offer a wide variety of adventure sport activities. They are also known for their rich flora and forest regions, fauna and aquatic life that is present here. Thus the beaches of West Bengal are one of the most beautiful and breathtaking locations of the country.

Tajpur-Beach