West Bengal is the eastern most state of India, endowed with a rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and natural beauty. The state has a culturally engaging capital city, Kolkata, and scenic landscapes to provide a unique blend of traditions, festivals, and scenic beauty. Here are some interesting facts that you should consider when travelling to West Bengal.
1. Kolkata: The Former Capital of British India
More commonly known as Calcutta, it served as the capital of British India from 1772 to 1911. The city is dotted with some buildings of that era; from monuments such as the Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge.
2. Home to the World’s Largest Banyan Tree
The biggest banyan tree in the world is located at Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden near Kolkata. The area covered by its canopy is approximately 14,500 square meters, and the tree is over 250 years old.
3. Indian Museum – The Oldest and the Largest Museum of India.
Kolkata’s Indian Museum, which was built in 1814, is India’s oldest and largest museum. The collections at the museum include fossils, paintings, sculptures, and antiquities that are indicative of different millennia of Indian history.
4. Thе Sundarbans: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Sundarbans in West Bengal are the largest mangrove forests in the world and a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site. It houses quite a number of species of birds, reptiles, and fish, including the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger.
5. Highest National Park in West Bengal: Singalila
Singalila National Park, situated over an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level in the Darjeeling district, is the highest national park in West Bengal. It boasts some of the most spectacular views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga and is among the most famous trekking destinations.
6. Unique Festival of Culture: Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a big event in West Bengal, and UNESCO acknowledges it as the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. The festival is marked by elaborately designed pandals with music, dance, and vibrating scenes across the state.
7. The Bauls of Bengal: Mystic Minstrels
The Bauls of Bengal are a unique tribe of mystic minstrels from West Bengal who have enchantedthe people with their soulful music amalgamated with philosophical songs. Their music is a combination of elements of Sufism, Vaishnavism, and Buddhism, the reflection of spiritual heritage.
8. Ghum: Highest Indian Railway Station
Ghum Railway Station in Darjeeling is officially the highest railway station at an elevation of 7,407 ft. The railway station is a part of the “Darjeeling Himalayan Railway” site declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, renowned for its iconic toy train.
9. Birthplace of Indian Chinese Cuisine
Kolkata is the birthplace of Indian-Chinese cuisine, a fusion that happened when Chinese immigrants started to settle in the city. The blend of Chinese ways of cooking with Indian varieties of spices has become popular all over the country.
10. Rich Litеrary Heritage
West Bengal is known for its rich literary heritage as it originally housed the only Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, who was also the first non-European Nobel Prize winner in Literature. Other literary giants in the field also came from this state; these include Satyajit Ray, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.
11. Darjееling: Tea Capital of India
Darjееling is a hill station in Wеst Bengal, famous for its tea gardens that produce the world-rеnownеd Darjееling tea. Thе placе is oftеn rеfеrrеd to as thе “Champagne of Teas” on account of the dеmand for Darjееling teadue to its unique flavour and aroma.
12. Thе Largest Outdoor Book Fair in Asia
Kolkata hosts one of Asia’s largest and the world’s third-largest outdoor book fair. Several book lovers, publishers, and authorsworldwide are attracted to this fair, and hence, it is also a very important cultural event within the city.
13. Victoria Memorial: A Grand Colonial Monument
Victoria Memorial is a huge, white marble structure built between 1906 and 1921 and dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Located in Kolkata, it has a museum within the memorial and serves as a tourist attraction showcasing British colonial architecture along with its rich array of artifacts.
14. Dakshinеswar Tеmplе: A Spiritual Landmark
Dakshinеswar Kali Tеmplе is located at the banks of the Hooghly River at Kolkata, a very famous Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. This is also one of the major pilgrimage sites where millions of devotees and tourists flock throughout the year.
15. Rich Musical Tradition: Rabindra Sangeet
West Bengal is well-known for its musical heritage, most especially Rabindra Sangit-a genre of songs written by the genius of Rabindranath Tagore. These songs are different from all others because of their lyrical beauty and emotional depth and are thus integral to the culture of Bengalis.
Conclusion
With the combination of cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and natural beauty, West Bengal provides a unique experience for every kind of traveller to stay different. From vibrant festivals to stunning landscapes, this state truly stands as a representative of the spirit and diversity of India.
