Bunkulung :: A Ecotourism Destination in the Eastern Himalayas

Bunkulung is at a distance of 48 km from Siliguri in the Siliguri - Mirik highway. The place is surrounded by natural beauty with mystic spleadour. The 19 ponds of sericulture project of Govt. of West Bengal is an added beauty. Bunkulung is self-sufficient in nature. It is one of the unique example of ecotourism in North Bengal. It produces everything. From vegetables to fruits and the villege has a co-operative to run all this project. All kinds of Chemical-fertilisers and other toxic materials are not welcome.

The village committee is headed by Mr. Bhim Subba, who is the headmaster of the local primary school. According to him the place is ready to welcome the tourists. They have altogether 12 rooms ready now, all with double bed facility. All the rooms are ornamented with traditional Nepali materials. If you are interested in adventure you can do camping in the beach of the river Balasun. The committee makes arrangement for horse riding and few outdoor games. Other activities include visit to Phuguri Tea Garden and Gayabari Tea Estate to watch the tea processing in some of the finest tea estates of Darjeeling hills. Interested tourists may enquire for the local cultural programme in open air with camp fire and barbeque.

How to Reach: One can reserve a vehicle from Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra Airport. it will take almost 1.5 hrs to reach the destination from Siliguri via Siliguri-Mirik road.

To get more information about Bunkulung kindly mail at info@visitnortheast.com

Neermahal Water Palace :: The Pride of Tripura

Neermahal, the water palace, built in 1930 by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya as summer resort is located at a distance of about 53 kms from Agartala. It is one of the good combinations of assimilation between Hindu and Mughal architectural design. Maharaja (King) Bir Bikram built this palace with the British architecture company, namely Martin & Burn. The 400 mt long palace has housed 24 rooms. It is located in the centre of a lake covering an area of 5.3 sq km.

This spectacular edifice still reflects the wave of its past glory and castes its spell on the mind of the visiting tourists. Well laid gardens and flood lighting add colour to the beauty. In winter large numbers of migratory birds are seen in Rudrasagar Lake surrounding the palace. There’s a boat festival held at the lake annually. Visitors can stay at the picturesquely located Saharamahal Tourist Lodge at Rajghat, the access point for the palace from which one can get a boat. Another attraction here is the craft and heritage villege.

In fact, the then King Bir Bikram built this fabulous edifice to mark the most significant achievement of his life. His another glorious deed is the establishment of Maharaja Bir Bikram College, built upon a verdant green valley in Agartala. Bir Bikram was a true follower of his immediate predecessors who were champions in promoting art, culture and education in this tribal dominated princely state of that time.

Majuli Riverine Island :: The Cultural Heart of Assam

Majuli perhaps the largest riverine island in the world, nestles in the lap of the mighty Brahmaputra, Majuli emerged as the crowning glory of Vaishnavite culture in Assam.

Multifaceted in its attaraction, Majuli unfolds a vanity of interest to the tourist - Rare migratory birds, traditional handicrafts and pottery, ethnic culture and dance forms, water sports etc.

According to the reports of Mr. J. H. Mills in 1853 the total area of Majuli was 2,82, 165 acre, but to strong erosion of the river Brahmaputra it has been gradually decreasing and the present area is less than 880 sq kms. From a historical source, in 1901 the population of the island was 35,000 as per 1991 census the population of Majuli is 1,35,378. The population of Majuli is made up of Ahoms, Kacharis, Brahmins, Kalitas, Koch-Rajbongshis, Benias, Naths, Mishings, Suts, Kacharis, Nepalese, Bengalis etc.

In Majuli, the main attraction for a tourist is the Vaishnava Satras founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. Today the main existing Satras are Dekhinpat Satra, Gurumukh Satra, Anumiati Satra, Kamalabari Satra, Bengenaati Satra, Shamguri Satra etc. The entire plain tribes also possess a colourful and resourceful cultural entity.

Various species of rare migratory birds like Pelican, Siberian Gane, Adjuant Stork are found in Majuli. Another festival performed by the Sonowal Kacharis tribe is ‘Bathow Puja’ where ‘Lord Shiva’, is worshipped with high veneration.

To Reach: Majuli can be reached by three main routes, Jorhat – Nimati Ghat from Jorhat, Dhokhakhana fro Dhemaji and Luit-Khabola Ghat from North Lakhimpur. Besides these, there are many ghats with single machine boat from both banks of the Brahmaputra.

To know more details about majuli, please write to info@visitnortheast.com

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway :: The World Heritage Pride

Darjeeling or Dorjee-Ling means the land of thunder. Darjeeling, the world famous himalayan hill station is considered as the queen of the hills. The place once developed as the resting place for the British Soldiers, is also famous for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a narrow gauge rail that connects Darjeeling from Siliguri (New Jalpaiguri).

The journey on this track starts from New Jaipaiguri. After that the train travels through the plain till Sukna. Then suddenly it started riding uphill and after crossing some mystic station like Rongtong, Tindharia, Gayabari it reaches Kurseong, the calm town. Then after some time it takes you to Ghoom (The third Highest Railway Station in this World, altitude: 7408 Mts) and then decends almost 1000 ft to reach Darjeeling. Ghoom is the highest railway station in the world to be reached by a steam locomotive. There is nothing in the world more exiting then riding on a small toy train across a mountaineous terrain of great beauty.

The World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway perhaps the first and still the most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway. Opened for public in 1881, the structure and construction of this line is believed a engineering feat because of the steep gradient, sharp curves, Z-crossings and loops incorporated in the line.

In the year 1879, Franklin Prestage, then the agent of Eastern Bengal Railway submitted a detailed scheme to the Bengal Government to replace the bullock cart transport system from Siliguri to Darjeeling by Railway Line. The construction of the narrow gauge line begun in 1879 and it was opened in four phases up to Kurseong on 23rd August 1880, up to Sonada 1st February 1881, up to Ghoom 4th April 1881 and the last part or up to Darjeeling on 4th July 1881.

There are:


6 Z-reverses.
At 177 points Hill Cart Road cries-crosses the railway track.
There are 3 loops in the line (most famous is Batasia Loop).
There are 5 major bridges.
There are 498 minor bridges.

If you are interested to know more about DHR or Want to take a ride on it, you can send your request to info@visitnortheast.com

North East India :: http://www.VisitNorthEast.com

Blog is considered amonst the strongst medium in todays information based world. VisitNorthEast is one of the many faces of North East India. It express the sentiments of the region, the colour of its people, the vibrant culture of the ethnic tribes, the Great Himalayas, Mighty Khandchendzonga, the enchanting Brahmaputra and its tributaries and others.

The vast region comprised of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. One can get the glipses of snow capped mountains at Darjeeling, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh or else can enjoy the beauty of virgin forests at Duars, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaziranaga National park, Manas National Park. The region is well equipped with treasure for advneture activities like Trekking, Mountain biking or White Water Rafting.

Come explore this vast land to refresh your mind and soul with the uniqueness of natural beauties.

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