Gangtok is knocking

View of Gangtok

Mt Kangchendzonga

Gangtok is situated at 5,047ft, in the Eastern Himalaya in the little state of Sikkim. It is 97km from Darjeeling, 114km from Siliguri. Gangtok offers much to do, there are many sightseeing spots like Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point but to truly enjoy the town, walk a lot. Take a walk from the main bazaar to the Ridge, stroll on the Ridge itself, or walk up from there towards Enchay Monastery. On a good day after the monsoons, one can see Mt Kangchendzonga and the rest of the range in all its majestic glory. The peaks change colour through the day. For the best views of Mt kangchendzonga in Gangtak, visit after monsoon, in the month of October.

The Ridge :- Just above the main town, and a few minutes walk up from the main bazaar is the Ridge, a small but delightful stretch of flat road lined with trees. Everyone, either local or tourist comes here for a stroll.On the end of the Ridge are the chief minister’s official recidence and the White Hall. Near the White Hall is the Flower Exhibition centre where there is a display of variety of orchids.

Enchey Monastery :- This Monastery is located a 10-minutes walk above the Ridge. In the morning here listening to the hypnotic chants of the monks during morning prayers.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology :- Every tourist must visit this place where there is museum that exhibits a rare collection of ancient manuscripts, statues, ritual objects and thangkas.

Himalayan Zoological Park :-This open zoo sprawls across an area of 205 hectares in mountainous terrain and is a delightful place for long undisturbed walking as well as spotting some rare animals. Asnow leopard, Tibetan wolves, red pandas, Himalayan palm civets, leopard cats and many colourful Himalayan pheasants are the main attraction of the park.

Rumtek Monastery :- It is the largest monastery of Sikkim which is located 24km from Gangtok on a picturesque road across the Rangeet River.

Getting There:-

Bagdogra  is thenearest airport which is connected to Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati by daily flight. Taxi to Gangtok is around Rs 1,500.

New Jalpaiguri is the nearest Rail station which is connected to Kolkata by Darjeeling Mail, Kanchankanya Express, Kanchanjunga express and Delhi by Guwahati rajdhani express. Taxi to Gangtok costs about Rs 1,500.

Accommodation :-

1.The Royal Plaza (Tel: 281571,280032; Tariff; Rs 6,500-20,000).

2.Hotel Tashi-Delek (Tel: 202991; Tariff; Rs 3,375-5,750).

3. Hotel Chumbi Residency (Tel: 226618-19; Tariff; Rs 2,950-3,450).

4. Hotel Sonam Delek (Tel: 202566; Tariff; Rs 1,000-3,000).

Besides these there are many hotels in Gangtok.

Shantiniketan --- Heritage hangout

Chatimtala

Prayer Hall

Black House

Sculpture

Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It is approximately 200 km from Kolkata. In the middle of the 19th century  Maharshi Devendranath Tagore purchased 20 bighas of land from the zamindars of Raipur. In1863 he constructed a house named, Shantiniketan Griha, the name later came to denote the surrounding locality. Later Rabindranath Tagore started here Patha Bhavan school which was his dream project because he believed studying in the natural atmosphere in open air is much enjoyable and fruitful. In 1921 this school expanded in a university and in 1953 it had been conferred as one of India's  best central universities. Many world famous teachers came to teach here. Indira Gandhi, Gayatri Debi, Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen and many other famous students of Shantiniketan  have spreaded in various parts of the world.

Kalabhavan is the art college of Shantiniketan. It is one of the best art college in the world. Besides this there are various departmet of education and culture.

Upasana Griha or the prayer hall is another attraction of Shantiniketan. The four side of this hall is made of various coloured  Belgium glass with marble step. In the evening it gives a beautiful look  in the candle light. On Wednesday prayer are held here.

Uttarayana complex  associated a group of building such as Udayana, Shyamali, Punascha, Konark, Udichi where Rabindranath lived and worked in various time.

Chatimtala is famous and it was used for meditation by Rabindranth Tagore's Father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore.

The central library of Viswa Bharati is a paradise for book lovers.

The most popular  festival of  Shantiniketan is Poush mela, held in December  from 23th to 25th and Basanta utsab, held in Holi. Millions of people gather in this festivals from around the globe.

Getting There:

The trains are available from Kolkata to Bolpur.

Buses are available from Esplanade to Bolpur.

Nearest airport is at Kolkata.

Accommodation:

1.Santiniketan Tourist Lodge (a unit of WBTDC Ltd)

Rate : Rs 700/- - Rs 900/- (Non AC) ; Rs 1900/- - Rs 2400/- (AC)

Phone : 03463-252398 Mobile : 09732100920

Booking at : Tourism Centre (Kolkata), Shantiniketan Tourist Lodge, All units of WBTDC Ltd

Online booking at: www.westbengaltourism.gov.in 

Email: tourismcentre.kol@westbengaltourism.gov.in

2.Hotel Camellia

Tariff:Rs950-2500
Address:Prantik, Shantiniketan, Bolpur, Birbhum, West Bengal
Tel:91-03463-54778/55044/55043
Fax:91-03463-55044 
Email: chhuti@cal.vsnl.net.in

3.Ranga Mati Tourist Lodge

Rate:Rs.310-Rs.750 
Address:Bolpur Road
Telephone: 03463-252305

Royal retreat

Room in the fort

Night view of the fort 

Sunrise

Panoromic view

Neemrana Fort-Palace is located on a small hill in the Aravallis, midway between Delhi and Jaipur. It is a15th century fort, 2hours drive from Delhi. Lovely terrace, courtyards and poolside. Spread across a hill, it requires some walking and climbing. The Neemrana Fort-Palace began its life in 1464, built by the famous Rajput  warrior-king  Prithviraj  Chauhan. Restoration began in 1986, and in 1991  it became a heritage hotel.There’s an open air amphitheatre where concert or plays are held. You can climb up the rooftop to soak in the starlight and marvel at the views of the surrounding countryside.

There are some beautiful activities such the 2-hour Zipline Package involves 20-minutes walkup from the fort, a bit of training and safety instruction, and the actual zipping for a distance of up to 400m.

The other activities include a 1-km walk to an 18^th-century stepwell that descends nine storeys below the ground. You can also do the trip in a camel cart. There is a gym (free of cost) and a spa that offers  Ayurvedic massages and therapies like reflexology.

Winter is the best season when you can soak in the sun. During the monsoon, the countryside becomes lush green. Summers are very hot.

Getting there:

The  resort charges Rs 3,913 for pick-up/drop from  Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and from New Delhi Railway Station.

Accommodation:

9 deluxe  suites, 7 suites, 7 grand rooms and 32 rooms.

Tariff: Rs 2,500-21,500; off-season (May 1 to August 31) discount of 20 percent on AC rooms, 40 percent on others.

Contact:

The Neemrana Fort-Palace

Village Neemrana, Dist Alwar, Rajasthan,Tel: 01494-246006-08

Mobile: 09414050068, 09414050044

Website: neemranahotels.com

Delhi Reservation: A-20, Froze Gandhi Marg, Lajpat Nagar-II,Cntact for booking

New Delhi, Tel: 011-46661666

Goa of East...Digha

Tourist enjoying at the sea

A day ends in Digha

Digha is a seaside resort city in the state of West Bengal,India. It lies at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. It is the most popular sea resort in the West Bengal. Renowned for its beaches, Digha is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Digha is the nearest and most popular sea resort of West Bengal. It is mostly famous as a weekend destination for Calcuttans.It is around 187 km away from Kolkata which takes a mere 5 hrs or so.It is one of the most beautiful hotspot located in the country.

Nearby places of interest

1.Mandarmani.

2.Shankarpur.

3.Junput.

4.Tajpur.

5.Udaipur.

Modes of transport

1.Trains.

In 2004 train service has been started in Digha(DGHA) 

Howrah - Digha Superfast Tamralipta Express (12857 UP) departs from Howrah at 06:40 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 10:00 hrs. Return train (12858 DN) Digha station at 10:35 hrs to arrive Howrah at 13:50 hrs. Check current actual timings with railways

Howrah - Digha Kandari Express (18001 UP) departs from Howrah at 14:10 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 17:50 hrs. Return train (18002 DN) Digha station at 18:20 hrs to arrive Howrah at 21:50 hrs.

New Jalpaiguri - Digha Paharia Express (15722 DN) departs from New Jalpaiguri station at 21:00 hrs and reaches at 12:00 hrs. The train runs from New Japlaiguri on Friday. Return train (15721 UP) which runs on Saturday only starts from Digha station at 16:20 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:45 hrs.

Santragachhi - Digha Passenger departs from Santragachhi at 18:15 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 22:15 hrs. Return train Digha station at 5.30 hrs to arrive Santragachhi station (about 8 km from Howrah) at 9:45 hrs.

Howrah - Digha Duronto Express Train - An AC special train for tourists has been introduced. It departs from Howrah station at 11:15 hrs and reaches Digha at 14:15 hrs without any stoppage in between. The complete train consists of 1 1A, 7 CC and 2 EOGs. 

2.Buses.

There is frequent bus service to Digha from Dharmatala bus stand of Kolkata and many other parts of West Bengal. It is almost a 5 hour journey from Kolkata. Bus service is also available from towns across West Bengal such as Midnapore,Bankura,Asansol,Bardhaman, Howrah, and, also from Orissa via Cuttack and Balasore (Baleswar).plz note Digha to kolkata last bus service (day) 4.00pm. from old Digha. and 3.30 pm. from new digha. 

Accomodation.

1.WBTDC Digha tourist lodge.

Ph.03220 266255/56

AC(D)-Rs.1000-Rs.2000

(F)-Rs1600,NAC(D)-Rs.700,1000,200

Tents-Rs.600

2.Larica Holiday inn.

Ph.03220 266481

NAC-Rs.800-1450

AC(D)-Rs.1000-1250

Suite-Rs.3500

3.Hotel Seagull

Ph.03220 2267195,9433020438

AC(D)-Rs.1500-2800

Cot(D)-Rs.2800-3500

4.Hotel Sea Hawk

Ph.03220 266235/46

NAC(D)-Rs.500,700,100,1200,1500

AC(D)-Rs.1200,1500,2000

5.Sonar tori guest house.

Ph.033 22311504/5503

NAC(D)-Rs.550,700

AC(D)-Rs.1320,1850 

and many more...