One of the most significant geographical characteristics of places situated on the border of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa is the abrupt growth of hills. Scattered all over the plains, these hills seem to have shot up virtually from nowhere, giving them a rather unassuming look. Both rocky and green, the hills, however, make the […]
If you have been impressed by the Sunderbans and its snaking rivers, meandering creeks, dark mangrove forests, brooding silence and Dakshin Roy (the tiger god), Bhitarkanika in Orissa will attract you too. Known as the second Sunderbans, Bhitarkanika has exotic birds, thousands of giant turtles, crocodiles, pristine beaches, narrow creeks that flow past deltaic islands. There […]
Debkunda is a hamlet that rests on a hilltop and boasts a waterfall and a lake, considered sacred by the local people. To reach Debkunda you need to start your journey from Balasore in Odisha and reach our destination in about two hours by driving through the Kuldiha forest range, a gateway to the Simlipal Reserve […]
Barkul is nestled between hills on one side and the second largest lagoon in the world, Lake Chilika, on the other. Needless to say the main attraction is the grand lagoon and its picturesque surroundings. The weekend retreat is about 100km from the Orissa capital, Bhubaneswar. Winter is the best time to visit, when the […]
Bhubaneswar, literally meaning the seat of the Lord of universe, is known as the Temple City of India. For the last 1,500 years Kalinga (present-day Orissa) has been ruled by several dynasties and each tried to outdo the other by constructing magnificent temples, resulting in a huge concentration of temples in Bhubaneswar. Legend has it […]
If you fancy a day trip now when the summer has not yet given its harsh bite, Ilambazar can be an excellent option. Rich in history, this temple town in Birbhum is a feast for the eyes and the mind. The history of Ilambazar dates back to the great Bengal famine of the late 18th century […]
Two 14th century stone temples that stand like sentinels on the bank of the Darakeswar river are the main attraction of Dihar in Bankura. Both structures are destroyed but their presence is still majestic. The temples are dedicated to Sareswar and Saileswar, both names of Lord Shiva. Built in the rekh deul style of Orissa, the structures do […]
It is said that Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar once swam across a raging Damodar on a stormy night to meet his mother. You do not need to do anything similar, but still can have a great day lazing around the riverbank in Mahisrekha, a small town near Uluberia in Howrah. You’ll find the Damodar, often referred to […]
Bandel, on the banks of the Hooghly, is best known for its magnificent church. Steeped in heritage and culture, the BandelChurch is a testament to the engineering skills of the Portuguese. People from almost all religious communities visit the church to admire its beauty, if not to worship. The chandeliers, coloured-glass windows and the statues […]
A destination that makes hectic urban life seem irrelevant; a location in the lap of nature with mountains, forests, and streams. That’s Buxa for you. With its scenic charm and a rich bio-diversity, Buxa in north Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district is famous for its tiger reserve, the only one in the whole of the Kanchenjunga circuit. Take […]
Bengal’s temple architecture can be classified under two broad heads — chala (sloping roof) and ratna(pinnacle) style — but rarely do these two styles combine in a single temple. The Durga temple of Bali-Dewanganj is probably the best example of that rare architectural meeting point in Bengal. Bali-Dewanganj is a non-descript village in the Arambagh subdivision of Hooghly […]
A temple that served as the setting of a classic novel, a lighthouse overlooking the confluence of a river and the sea, winding trails lined by casuarina and eucalyptus, a secluded beach — Junput offers plenty of attractions for those willing to look beyond Digha and Mandarmani. Junput can be best reached through Contai, about […]
Sikkim, for an enthusiastic traveller, traditionally meant North and West Sikkim, comprising primarily of Lachung, Lachen and Yumthang in the north and Peling, Geyzing and Kaluk in the west. East Sikkim meant only Gangtok. The discovery of Ranka, only 14km from Gangtok, is about to change that. Resting on the ravines of a hill at a […]
A seaside town bordered by ancient historical sites, Vizag and its surrounding areas offer varied tourist attractions and are an ideal getaway for an extended weekend. While the beaches of Vizag are the perfect unwind destination, located 15km from Vizag are the old Buddhist sites of Thotlakonda and Bavikonda on the Vizag-Bhimli highway. An aerial survey […]
Bangriposi, a tribal hamlet nestled in the Thakurani range of hills in Odisha, offers the perfect marriage of scenery and serenity. Situated 228km from Kolkata, this attractive but unusual destination off NH6 is far from the city’s frenzy and a welcome abode in the solace of nature. Those who long for hills, jungles and waterfalls […]
Chiria which is a census town in Pashchimi Singhbhum district in the state of Jharkhand has India’s largest iron ore mine with reserves of 2,000 million tonnes of iron ore. This mine is operated by Steel Authority of India Limited. Surrounded by Kiriburu, Karampada, Tupadih Rangra and Rakshi, it lies to the south-west of Manoharpur. After getting off at the Manoharpur […]
Hee Bermiock in West Sikkim is at an altitude of 1,700m above sea level can be traveled from New Jalpaiguri (NJP). It is an all-weather destination, its charm changing with every season. In winter it is especially a traveler’s delight with clear skies and snow-capped peaks all around. The shrill whistle of birds is a wake up […]
Huma is a little- known getaway in western Orissa, 28km east of Sambalpur on the bank of the Mahanadi. A leaning temple is the main attraction here. The place must not to be confused with Humma, which is 110km from Khurda, 6km from Ganjam. The peacefulness of the road that leads to Huma will astonish […]
A shrine dedicated to an ascetic, who is believed to have brought rains to a drought-hit village with his spiritual power, puts Ghutiari Sharif on the map of tourists. A tiny suburb in the hinterland of South 24-Parganas, Ghutiari Sharif boasts a mazaar or dargah of Pir Ghazi Mubarak Ali Sahab, who was known to have kept wild tigers […]
Charming and blissful — that’s the most apt description of Kaluk. Situated in the buffer zone of the Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary in West Sikkim, it’s nothing short of a paradise for nature lovers, even for someone with a passing interest in flora and fauna. At 5576ft, Kaluk is nestled atop a lush green hill teeming […]
