With a cultural history that dates back centuries, West Bengal is home to a plethora of cultures, traditions, rituals and lifestyles that have defined not just the state of West Bengal but the History of the nation as a whole. Often described as a melting pot of different cultures, West Bengal offers a unique flavour to the richness of India. For a travel enthusiast, this amalgamation of different languages, customs, religions, cuisines and lifestyles, West Bengal is an ideal destination.

Gangasagar

An island situated at the mouth of the river Hooghly, Gangasagar is honoured as a pilgrimage site. Also found in the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, millions of devotees congregate each year to take a sacred dip in the holy water. Acres of dazzling silver sand and the quiet sea offer a beach getaway for non-pilgrims as well.

Belur Math

Located on the banks of the River Hooghly, Belur Math is a temple which is notable for exhibiting Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity amongst all religions. This more than a century old temple propagates modern thinking for the overall welfare of humanity.

Dakhineshwar Temple

The famous Dakhineshwar temple is revered for being the sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Kali, the most powerful Hindu Goddess known for liberating souls. This large temple complex which boasts of 12 Mandirs or places of worship has a historical association with some of the greatest names who have resided in Bengal.

Kalighat

The Kalighat Kali temple is the most popular religious attraction in Kolkata. Believed to be the site where various parts of the Hindu Goddess' body, Sati fell, the temple receives a huge amount of devotees on auspicious days and on Bengali New Year.

Tarapith

A small temple town in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, Tarapith is known for its tantric temple and its adjoining cremation ground where tantric rituals are performed. The tantric Hindu temple is dedicated to the goddess Tara, a fearsome deity. Tarapith derives its name and from its association as the most important centre of Tara worship and her cult.

Nadia District

One of the oldest districts of West Bengal and an ancient Sanskrit learning centre, Nadia is an inseparable part of the religious and cultural history of the state. Its ancient temples, historic forts and mosques make it a tourist destination but its stand out feature is the grounds which hosted the famous battle of Plassey.

Bandel

The ancient place of Bandel bears relic to the rich historical heritage and cultural legacies of the bygone era. The lavish religious monument was erected way back in 1600 AD. The gigantic glass windows of the Bandel church, which was erected around the same time, attracts tourists all year round. The sole reminiscent of the Portuguese rule in the area, the Bandel Church portrays the glorious past of the region.

Nakhoda Masjid

Nakhoda Masjid is widely considered to be the principle mosque in the city of Kolkata. Regarded as one of the biggest mosques in the country, it has a prayer hall which can accommodate 10,000 devotees at a time. The interior of the mosque boasts excellent ornamentation and creativity and the adjoining part of the city attracts a handsome number of tourists all year round.

Furfura Sharif

Furfura Sharif, more commonly known as Phurphura serves as a holy place for Muslim Pilgrimage. Home to one of the oldest mosques, built in 1375, the site attracts large number of pilgrims during the Pirsmela or fair.

Nizamat Imambara

The Nizamat Imambara is a Shia Muslim congregation hall built in Murshidabad and is the largest Imambara in India. Originally built more than 250 years ago during the reign of SirajUd-Daulah, the hall is of extreme significance to the Muslim community as well as to the history of India. Its palatial grounds and the unique architecture of the hall makes it an attraction for all tourists.

St Pauls Cathedral

St Pauls Cathedral is a church of Anglican background in Kolkata and is distinguished for its Gothic architecture. Built in 1847, it is the largest cathedral in Kolkata and the first Episcopal Church in Asia. Widely acknowledged as an architectural treasure, the cathedral is set amidst majestic grounds which offer peace and tranquillity. The interior of the church with its frescos and its outstanding visual displays attracts tourists from all across the globe.

Mayapur

Mayapur is one of the largest pilgrimage destinations for followers of Vaishnavism. Considered to be the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered the reincarnation of Lord Krishna and Radha, Mayapur welcomes more than a million pilgrims each year. Mayapur is also known on the world stage as the World Headquarters of ISCKON (International society for Krishna Consciousness) was set up here.