Kaziranga National Park :: The place for one horned Rhinos

Oldest and the most famous sanctuary in Assam bounded by the Brahmaputra river and the Mikir hills, sprawls into 430 sq kms of sheer thick forest, elephant grasslands, rugged reeds, mellow marshes and the shallow pools. The park spreads partly in Golaghat district and partly in Nagaon district of Assam.

In the year 1974, Kaziranga has been declared as National Park.

From the Howdah (seat in the back) of an Elephant, you encounter the majesties of the jungles here. You can also stroll through the lush coffee and rubber plantations of nearby Karbi Anglong, or visit the villages and talk to the Karbi people of romp through the fascinating tea gardens and watch how you get your daily cup of tea. Film shows on wild life are also arranged at the tourist lodge on request. The best season to visit the National Park is from October through to mid April.

To Reach

BY AIR – Nearest airport is Jorhat at a distance of 98 kms. Another airport Guwahati is situated at a distance of 217 kms.

By Road – Regular bus service is available from Guwahati, Nagaon, Tezpur etc, through NH 37.

Temparature

Summer : 180C – 350C, Winter : 70C – 240C

Wildlife To Be Seen

It is the preserve of Elephant, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer, Sambhars, Hog Deer, Tiger, Leopard, Slothe Bear, Leopard cat, Hog, Badger, Capped Langoor, Hoolock Gibbon, Jackal, Procupine, Python and a variety of birds – Pelicans, Ducks, Hornbills, Ibis, Cormorants, Egrets, Herow, Black Necked Strokes, Lesser Adjutants, Ring-tailed Fishing Eagles above all the famous One Horned Indian Rhinos. Once almost extinct this endangered species are being increased steadily. They number is now over 400.

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

Mandarmani :: Enjoy the Quiet Sea

Mandarmoni is locatied at the the southern part of West Bengal. Although it came up very recently, but it can manage to take a position in the travel map of West Bengal. The location of this place is in East Midnapur District.

Situated on the Bay of Bengal, the place is famous for serene, quite sea. You will not find the turbulance of water here like Puri or Digha. The beach is quite long and calm. You can take bath, it is safe. in the early morning hours, one can find fishermen going about their daily routine. Do not forget to take a motorbike ride at the hard beach. Bike rental is also available on the beach.

At the end of the beach towards the eastern side, one can visit Mohana (ending place of a river, where it meets the sea). There is a large Red Crab habitat there. A fishing villege is also there at the Mohana.

A good number of resorts have already came up in Mandarmani. Formal name of this place is Dadanpatrabar.

To Reach

By Air

Nearest Airport is Netaji Subhash Bose Airport at Dumdum in Kolkata. It is an International Airport having connectivity with all teh major place of the world along with almost all teh domestic locations.

By Road

Mandarmani is located at a distance of 166KM from Kolkata, One can take a bus from Esplanade to Digha from Kolkata and get down at Chowlkhola More. From Chowlkhola it is 16Kms to reach Mandarmani. Car/Taxi/Motoried Rickshaws are available from Chowlkhola.

By Train

Nearst railhead is Kontai (Kanthi). Digha flag station is almost at the same distance. Digha/Contai is connected with Kolkata withregular train service.

To get more information about Singalila National Park kindly mail at info@visitnortheast.com

Singalila National Park :: A Hidden Splendour

The park is situated almost on the north western border of Darjeeling district. The Kingdom of Nepal is in the west and the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim is at the north. A motorable road from Maneybhanjan to Phalut serves as an international border between India & Nepal. The national park has an area of 78.60 sq kms and it is located at an altitude of 2400 – 3636 mt. The park supports a variety of vegetation types. One can experience a different colour of blooming plant species throughout the year. The park is also very rich in mammalian fauna as well as avifauna.

Singalila National Park is one of the most popular trekking zones in West Bengal. Tourists attracted to this area for the clear views of the mountain ranges including the mighty Khanchendzonga, the third highest peak in this world, which can be viewed clearly on fine days from Sandakphu and Phalut. Tourists can never forget the breathtaking beauty of sunrise and sunsets. The trek to Sandakphu and Phalut in itself is a remarkable experience in once life.

Major Flora – Highest located national park in West Bengal. Forest type changes with altitudinal ranges from 2400 – 3636 mt. Maling Bamboo, Buk, Kawla, Magnolia, Bhojpatra, Oak, Rhododendron, Hemlock, Silver Fir and Juniper etc.

Major Fauna – Himalayan Black Beer, Red Panda, Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Serow, Barking Deer, Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant etc.

Accommodation for tourist is available in Tonglu, Tumling, Joubari, Gairibas, Kalpokhri, Sandakphu, Phalut, Molley, Gorkhey, Siri, Rammam, Rimbick.

To get more information about Singalila National Park kindly mail at info@visitnortheast.com

Rumtek Monastery :: The Center of Buddhist Studies in Sikkim

24 kms and about 45 minutes drive away on the hill opposite Gangtok is the Rumtek Monastery, The Dharma Chakra Centre and the seat of his holiness ‘The Gyalwa Karmapa’ who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Kagyupa sect of Buddhism has its origins in Tibet since 12th century. It is said that after the first Karmapa spent many years meditating in a cave, ten thousand fairies came to congratulate him and each offered a strand hair. These strand of hair were woven into a black hat. This black hat come to be passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery. It is said that unless held with the hand, or kept in a box, it will fly away. It was worm by the Karmapas on ceremonial occasions.

The Monastery is certainly the largest in Sikkim and is a good example of fine Tibetan architecture.A fifteen to twenty minute walk downhill from the main Monastery takes one to the old Rumtek Monastery, which was first built in 1730 by the ninth Karmapa but was destroyed due to a fire and had to be reconstructed to its present state.The new Monastery is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarter in Tibet.

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

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - The Place for One Horned Rhinos

It is situated in Alipurduar sub-division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal and it is about 124 km from Siliguri. The sanctuary was constituted in the year 1941 to protect the wildlife specially the One Horned Rhinos, an animal threatened with extinction. River Torsha runs through his sanctuary. The forest is mainly Savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. Elephant ride can be arranged for viewing the wildlife preferably at dawn.

Major Flora – Terai Grass Land, Riverine Forest, Sal Forest, Simul, Khair, Sisoo, Sidha, Gamar, kawla, Dilenia, Ficus, Mallotus ect.

Major Fauna – great Indian One Horned Rhino, Tiger, Gaur, Elephant, Badger Leopard, Sloth Bear, Otter, Bengal Florican, King Cobra etc.

To Reach -
By Air – Bagdogra near Siliguri is the nearest airport. Indian Airlines and the Jet Airways flights are available to and from Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi and Chennai and Paro (Bhutan).
By Rail – Nearest railway station is Madarihat which is 7 kms from the sanctuary. All the passenger trains stop here. The mail an express trains stop at Birpara / Hasimara Railway Station. Both are 20 kms away from the sanctuary.
By Road – Jaldapara is well connected by government and private buses with Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Bhutan, Darjeeling and other towns of North Bengal.

To know more details about Jaldapar Wildlife Sanctuary, please write to info@visitnortheast.com

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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