To the City of Joy and Beyond:

"Cottages at Vedic Village"

The Eastern state of West Bengal is one of the most beautiful parts of India. It has long remained in the backdoor as far as its share of tourist traffic in India is concerned. But now, with the dynamic and visionary leadership of Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, the maverick Chief Minister of West Bengal, there has been a complete ‘U' turn as far as the fortune of West Bengal's tourism is concerned. Nothing exemplifies this change of fortune in Bengal more than the presence of international hotel chains like one of India's finest luxury hotel – the ITC Sonar Bangla, the Hyatt along with the avantgarde Vedic Village resort.

Tourism, which was never a policy priority with the government has suddenly been given a shot-in-the-arm courtesy a slew of futuristic hospitality projects that will cater to the exacting needs of the discerning world traveler. Among the city's best-known hospitality properties is the –"Vedic Village Resort", which offers everything from ownership to the most relaxing of Spa treatments. Whoever said that Kolkata is a dying city with its pot holed roads, closed-down industries, trade unionism, poverty and squalor should have a second look at the resurgent Kolkata of 2008. And one great way to know the pulse of this incredible city is by actually paying a visit to this landmark city of India that reveals its captivating charm like a veil slipping out from the face of a beautiful woman.

Kolkata is one of India's largest cities With landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, the Maidan and Fort William, Octorlony Monument, the Indian Museum, the Eden Gardens, the elegant Cathedrals and Churches, the Howrah Bridge, pilgrim spots like Kalighat, Dakshineswar and Belur Math as well as Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity etc…it has been exerting its mesmerizing charm on the discerning international tourists. Over the years, the Kolkata International airport (NSCBIA) has evolved as the aviation hub of Eastern India with regular flights being operated by renowned international airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Royal Brunei, Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air, Singapore Airlines etc…which in a way has made Kolkata very accessible to international tourists.

Ideally Kolkata with its varied charms is an ideal base from where to embark on a journey of discovery. The state of West Bengal is long and narrow, running from the delta of the Ganges to the towering Himalayas in the north.

Visitors have the choice of exploring the world's largest mangrove forest – the Sunderbans, home of the rare and elusive Royal Bengal Tigers, to the stupendous beauty of the Eastern Himalayas, courtesy the world famous hill station of Darjeeling and other lesser known Himalayan towns like Kalimpong, Lava and Lolegaon that are endowed with some of nature's choicest bounties.

Of late the centuries old Darjeeling Toy Train, which has become kind of a tourist landmark has been conferred with the status of "World Heritage Site" by the UNESCO and this 19th century engineering feat is not only India's oldest mountain railway network but also its most treasured with the famous "Batasia Loop" being one of the world's most photographed railway locale.

Leaving aside the Raj playground of Darjeeling, there is the ethereal beauty of the lush green Dooars Tea gardens of North Bengal where the British introduced Tea Estates are still abuzz with activity from where one of the world's most sought after Tea brands – "the Darjeeling Tea" is manufactured. Thanks to the efforts of the West Bengal's Tourism Department under the visionary leadership of Manab Mukherjee, the suave Minister of Tourism, West Bengal, it is now possible to be an honored guest of a centuries old British Tea Plantation Bungalow in a select few Tea Estates in the Dooars region.

For the intrepid thrill seekers, a stunning array of adventure activities has been lined up ranging from Tiger Watching in Sunderbans to high altitude trekking in the towering Singalila mountain ranges. Opportunities for River Rafting in some of the most spectacular stretches of White Water too is possible in the swift flowing Teesta River and other tributaries.

Besides the adrenalin pumping adventure tourism products, there is a well defined cultural tourism circuit as well with world famous Shantiniketan – the abode of Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore whose visionary concept of "Open Air Learning" is still practiced at the renowned Vishwa Bharati University. There is also Mayapur, in the district of Nadia where the magnificent global headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is located. The Hare Krishna movement, which was popularized by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in the 70s and 80s decade is visited round the year by its followers from affluent Western countries like USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France and Germany which reaches a crescendo during the annual Hindu festival of ‘Holi'.

What sets Bengal apart as a tourist destination is that its people - the Bengalis, so ready to raise arms against the British during India's struggle for independence are also among the most cultured in India. Bengalis are a creative lot and this element of creativity finds expressions in their music, dance, theatre, poetry and films. Outside visitors find the poetry and book reading sessions at star hotels of Kolkata to be a very rewarding experience aesthetically.

Kolkata's cultural pedigree is best summed up by its movie industry. While Mumbai – the Hollywood of India churns out blockbusters with an amazing regularity, Kolkata or "Tollywood" as the Bengal movie industry is popularly referred to, makes a smaller number of non-commercial gems that stands up for its quality, profundity and intensity.

From the flowers sellers beside the ethereal Hooghly Bridge to the Edwardian town halls and the famous Silk Route of the mystical Eastern Himalayas, Bengal offers an eclectic mix of Nature-Culture- Adventure package, which is irresistible for the new age traveler.

For further information on the state of West Bengal,
please feel free to contact –
West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation,
Netaji Indoor Stadium,
West Block, Kolkata-700021.
Tel: 91-033-248 7302 / 8286 / 8242 / 7318 / 210-3194

BY SUBHASISH CHAKRABORTY