The West Bengal is the fourth most populous state in the country is widely considered the
Melting pot of
Cultures. Its capital Kolkata is often termed as the cultural capital of India. West Bengal
offers a
unique
flavour to
the richness of India with its synthesis of various languages, religions, customs, traditions,
cuisines and
lifestyle.
Bound by the grandeur of the Himalayan ranges in the north and sweetened by the sea in the south,
Bengal has
everything
a state needs to flourish.
Nestled in a cosy cluster in the North, Darjeeling is often dubbed as the Queen of the Hills.
Renowned for its
tea
plantations. The Sunderbans is universally acclaimed for housing globally endangered species
such as the
Royal
Bengal
Tiger.
Apart from possessing hill stations, Bengal also offers some of the best beach front locations like
Digha
and
Mandarmani. Once the capital of British India, Kolkata is a blend of Western and Indian
culture. Home to
a
plethora of
historical sites, it houses Hindu temples, mosques, churches, as well as British monuments like the
Victoria
Memorial.
After India gained independence from the British, Bengal played the most important role in emerging
renaissance
in the
field of social, cultural, political and educational reforms. Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy,
Swami
Vivekananda,
Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were at the forefront of the freedom movement.
West Bengal
has also
been a home to world famous figures like Mother Teresa, Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore.