Five Must Do Things in the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling
Perched at an altitude of over 6700 feet above sea level in the eastern state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is also known as the Queen of the Hills and is…
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum, Ghum
If you are someone who loves take a ride on heritage mountain railways and are fascinated by railway coaches, equipment and engineering, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) Museum in Ghum…
Photo Essay: Yiga Choeling Monastery aka Ghoom Monastery, Darjeeling
A visit to Darjeeling often means a ride on the heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a visit to the tea gardens and a trip to Mall road. But beyond the touristy…
Tracing the European trail from Kolkata aka the city of Joy
It is not entirely incorrect to say that the East Indian city of Kolkata is one of the most fascinating places to visit in India and has a charm like…
Chandannagar: a taste of the French riviera along the river Hooghly
The simplicity, charm and beauty of Indian colonial towns compares to none other. Colonial India was an important center of trade and economy as early as the 17th century and…
Malik Ghat Flower market in Kolkata: a truly arresting and striking experience
As mentioned in my previous posts here and here, exploring the local markets, especially flower markets is a “must do” in my travel itinerary. Ubiquitous yet unique, these markets truly…
Hooghly Imambara: grandeur of the yesteryears
An architectural masterpiece of the 19th century is the magnificent Hooghly Imbabara in the town of Hooghly situated in the state of West Bengal. Hooghly or Hooghly-Chinsura as it also…
Sunderbans – beyond the Bengal tiger
My maiden visit to Sunderbans, the only mangrove tiger land in the world was truly memorable for more reasons than one. Bestowed with natural beauty and magnificent scenery, the national…
Indigenous creativity: Idol makers of Kumartuli
One of India’s biggest and most colorful festivals Dusshera or Durga puja is celebrated in a variety of ways in different parts of the country. The festival is a riot…
Kolkata: the quintessential charm of the City of Joy
On my first visit to the second largest city of India, I quickly realized that Kolkata has a charm like none other. The cultural and intellectual capital of India presents…