Tour 4 West Bengal

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( 03 Nights / 04 Days) Tarapith 1N + Shantiniketan 2N

Day 01: Kolkata to Tarapith via Bakreswar (295 kms / 7 hrs drive) : Early morning you will proceed to Tarapith, one of the famous pilgrim places of West Bengal. Enroute visit Bakreswar (Shiva) Temple, Ma Bhavatarini Temple and famous hot springs where you can take a bath in the mineral enriched water which is said to have several therapeutic effects. Later you will drive to Tarapith, regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India devoted to Ma Tara (another form of Kali). It is a small temple town, known for its Tantric temple and its adjoining cremation (Maha Smashan) grounds where sadhana (tantric rituals) are performed. On arrival check into your hotel. Overnight stay at Tarapith.

Day 02: Tarapith – Shantiniketan (70 kms / approx 1 & half hrs) : Today early morning visit the Tantric Hindu Temple is dedicated to the goddess Tara, a fearsome Tantric aspect of the Devi, the chief temples of Shaktism. After breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to Shantiniketan. This place was founded in 1901 by Noble Laureate Shri. Rabindra Nath Tagore who visualized a perfect harmony of humanity with nature. Arrive & Check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Amar Kutir (Handicraft Center) near Kopai River & rest of the evening at leisure to enjoy the peace & serenity of this place. Overnight stay at Shantiniketan.

Day 03: Shantiniketan Sightseeing : After breakfast visit, Visva - Bharati University Campus, the complex at "Uttarayan" (Udayan, Shyamali, Konarak, Udichi & Punaschha houses of Tagore), Art Gallery, Museum. Afternoon visit Khoai Hat near Sonajhuri forest to experience the tribes and their life, art, song and dance. Evening free at leisure Overnight stay at Shantiniketan.

Note: University and Uttarayan Complex remain closed on Wednesday (fullday) & Thursday (halfday).

Day 04: Shantiniketan - Kolkata (210 kms / 4 hrs) : In the morning after breakfast drive back to Kolkata with sweet memories to transfer to airport or railway station.

Note: It is advisable to arrive Kolkata one day earlier or reach by early morning flight/train latest by 08 AM to start your tour and book your departure train/flight during evening only after 6 PM.

Inclusions :

·  Accommodation on twin Sharing Basis.

·  Meal Plan (as per mentioned above).

·  Exclusive AC Vehicle for transfers & sightseeing as per Itinerary. 

·  All permit fees & hotel taxes (as per itinerary).

Rates are valid for INDIAN NATIONALS only.

Exclusions :

·  Air Fare / Train fare.

·  Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage.

·  Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.

·  Entrance Fees & Guide charges.

·  Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc. (to be borne by the client and directly payable on the spot).

·  Service Tax.

·  Insurance.

Anything which is not included in the inclusion.

Terms and Conditions :

  • GST is not included in the price. The same will be charged on the total package cost payable.
  • Child Policy: 3 years old to 12 years old.
  • No refund for un-utilized tour or cancellations which may occur due to weather conditions.
  • All SIC rates are based on minimum guests traveling. Change in the number of guests could lead to a change in the cost of the package.
  • Above rates are not applicable during event/peak season surcharge periods. The rates for these periods would be advised at the time of booking.
  • All packages are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Company.
  • Please read and understand all the terms and conditions before confirming.
  • In the event of non-availability of the quoted package, an alternate similar category hotel would be offered.
  • All above rates are based on special land combinational prices. No reduction or refund is applicable if one or all of the services are withdrawn.
  • Company reserves the right to furnish fresh quote for the package with additional or different inclusions from those offered in the above quote.

Hotel Details :

 Destination

 Deluxe ( CP )

  Superior ( CP )

 Tarapith

 Yashoda International /   Similar

 Sonar Bangla (AC Dlx ) /   Similar

 Shantiniketan

 Shanitiniketan Tourist   Lodge (AC Dbl ) / Similar

 Mark & Meadows   Shaniniketan Residency /   Similar

Costing :

 Per Person

 Deluxe ( CP )

 Superior ( CP )

 Vehicle A/C

 02 Pax

16,280

 20,130

 Indigo

 04 Pax

 11,330

 15,180

 Innova

 AWB

 2,310

 4,620

 NA

 WEB

 1,430

 4,180

 NA

West Bengal, situated in Eastern India, is one of the major states in the country. When we talk about the history of Bengal, we cannot consider West Bengal in isolation. It will comprise of origin of Bengal as a whole, including West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh). Bengal territory has been an important region since ancient times. The first mention of this province can be found in the great epic of Mahabharata. Due to its strategic location by the sea, different sects of people came and established here, including Aryans in the post-Vedic period. Thus, today, it demonstrates a prolific mixture of five distinct racial strains.

Different dynasties, right from the Palas to the Guptas and the Sena, have ruled over the territory of Bengal. Thereafter, it was the time of the Muslim reign, which began with Qutub-ud-in Aibak and ended only after the Battle of Plassey. Then, came the British. The 200-year long tryst of Bengal with British left some inextricable influences on the culture of the state. After gaining independence in 1947, India retained West Bengal, while East Bengal became a part of the Pakistani territory. Today, East Bengal has formed itself into an independent state, called Bangladesh, and West Bengal is a part of the Republic of India.

The Complete History

Ancient Bengal:

The earliest mention of Bengal can be found in the old epic of Mahabharta, as 'Vanga'. At that time, the territory was divided into smaller kingdoms and was ruled by chieftains. As per the ancient records in Vedic literature, it was inhabited by several groups of people, belonging to various races. The original inhabitants of Bengal were not Aryans, rather Dravidians (most probably). The Aryans came to Bengal after the Vedic period. It is assumed that the Brahmins and other high castes of Bengal were the descendants of the Aryan invaders, who forced their culture upon the primitive barbarian tribes of Bengal.

Medieval Bengal:

Many dynasties exercised their control over Bengal when monarchy came in fashion in India. In about 3rd century, Mauryas and Guptas established their rule in Bengal. The establishment of Gupta Empire marked the end of all small kingdoms that flourished in Bengal, ruled by tribal chiefs. The Palas followed the Guptas and established their strong rule in the territory, from about 800 AD till the 11th century, after which the Senas overtook the Empire of Bengal. Sena Dynasty lost the kingdom of Bengal to Qutub-Ud-In-Aibak, the Sultan of Delhi, in the beginning of 13th century.

After being a part of Delhi Sultanate, the region of Bengal came under the Mughals. The tryst of Bengal with Muslim culture started with this phase only. As an influence of the Muslim culture, conversions began to take place in the state and it also witnessed the development of art, culture and cottage industries. Production of items like muslin brought Bengal to limelight, as they were in great demand in other parts of the world. This phase of Muslim reign surely left an everlasting impact on Bengali culture.

Modern Bengal :

The modern history of Bengal can be traced back to the late 17th century, when foreign influences started disturbing the traditional monarchy of the state. Portuguese, Dutch, Danish French and British influence, all began in 17th century only, when Bengal gained prominence in the world, mainly due to its growing textile market and strategic location. The British came to Bengal in 1690, as traders, and extended their grip over the entire state, in about 60 years. The Battle of Plassey, in 1757, officially exposed the loosened grip of Muslim rulers on Bengal, when Siraj-ud-daul, the last independent ruler of Bengal, was defeated by the British. Bengal was officially made a part of British Empire in 1764, after the battle of Buxar. East India Company, then, fixed a Subedar of the state and acquired administrial as well as financial power. This was the point from where the actual colonization of India began. Calcutta was officially made the capital of India in 1772. The first Indian struggle for Independence (Sepoy Mutiny) started near Calcutta, in 1857, and resulted in transfer of authority, from the East India Company, to the British Crown. In 1905, the British partitioned Bengal on the lines of religion. This was the phase when discontentment began in the state, which led to its strong involvement in the freedom struggle. In 1911, the capital of India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. In 1947, when India gained independence, Bengal was divided between India and Pakistan. The Hindu-dominated West Bengal was given to India and the Muslim-dominated East Bengal went with Pakistan.

West Bengal became the witness of one of the worst religious riots after independence. Between 1960 and 1970, severe power shortages, strikes and a violent Marxist-Naxalite movement destroyed much of the state's infrastructure, causing a prolonged phase of economic stagnancy. In 1977, the leftist group (Marxist) of India gained a grip over West Bengal's political scenario, leading to stability in the state. The economy of West Bengal further gathered pace after the LPG economic reforms were introduced in India, in 1991. Today, West Bengal is regarded as one of the most developed states in India.