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.