Shantiniketan
When it comes to excursions in Calcutta, the mention of Shantiniketan
is like a must. Shantiniketan in Calcutta, India is mainly
known for Vishva-Bharati University that provides a platform
for the convergence of western and eastern culture. Its foundation
was laid by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The best part
about this international university is that it exhibits the
Indian tradition in the most modest manner, while simultaneously
incorporating the best of other cultures.
The best time to visit this soothing place is between November
to March. Set up in the midst of green lushy fields and forested
land, it makes an excellent landscape. Initially, Shantiniketan
of Kolkata, India was an ashram that was started by Maharishi
Devendranath Tagore in 1863.
Later in 1901, Shantiniketan underwent a modification when
Rabindranath Tagore conducted experimental open-air classes
to promote education. His effort didn't go wasted and he gradually
kept widening the scope. An interesting feature of Shantiniketan
consists of the awesome sculptures, mural paintings and frescoes
of Rabindranath, Nandlal Bose, Ramkinkar, Bindobehari Mukhopadhyaya
and others.
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Sunderbans
Location: south of Kolkata
Highlights: famous tiger reserve
Sunderbans is a very famous wildlife sanctuary of our
country. It is the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger and
owing to this fact; it is also referred to as Sunderbans
tiger reserve. In the Calcutta Sunderbans national park,
you can find the estuarine crocodile, wild boar and several
varieties of birds and snakes. |
It is located on the south of Kolkata,
India and stretches till Bangladesh. Also, Sunderbans is the
largest delta of the world formed by the unification of three
rivers-the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna.
It is spread over an area of 2,585 square kms, out of which
the core area of 1,330 square kms is formally declared as
the world heritage site and a national park. Apart from the
Bengal tiger, it also houses other wildlife animals like monkeys,
herons, spotted deer, kingfishers, wild pigs and white-bellied
eagles. Sundarbans wildlife sanctuary in Kolkata is just an
apt destination for ornithologists and bird watchers.
Digha Calcutta
Location: 185 km south east of Calcutta
Digha is located about 185 kms away from the city on the south
east of Calcutta. In the list of must visit Kolkata excursions,
Digha beach is on the top. It is a splendid beach resort consisting
of a 6 km long beach. Shankarpur is the twin beach of Digha,
Calcutta that is about 10 kms away. Digha, India is very well
connected with Kolkata by road. Infact, its about five hours
drive from there. Digha beach is worth visiting, as its shallow
water will help in rejuvenating you. The whole atmosphere
over there is very soothing and serene.
Botanical Gardens
Botanical gardens of Kolkata, India are situated
8 kms away from the city, on the west bank of the Ganga, covering
an area of about 273 acres. Laid out in the year 1787, Calcutta
botanical garden is one of the oldest and largest botanical
gardens of India. It contains about 12,000 living perennial
plants and millions of dried out plants gathered from world
over. The main attraction of the botanical gardens is the
giant size banyan tree that is said to have the second largest
canopy in the world. Over here, you can find a plethora of
beautiful orchids and other colorful flowers. The garden also
has a library, where you can find a valuable collection of
books on botany. The botanical garden of Calcutta houses trees
of rarest variety.
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