Top 5 Places to Visit in West Bengal

Located in the eastern part of India, West Bengal is one of the surreal places where you will find everything. From the mighty Ganges to the mangrove forest, with lofty Himalayas and tranquil seashores, West Bengal is a place that has it all. Adding to its geographical significance, the state celebrates the UNESCO-titled Durga Puja festival and is certainly known for its distinct taste in unique architecture and sublime crafts, ranging from jewellery to best-class sarees. The state has witnessed extraordinary things, whether it be the locations, the history or its intellectual people. To provide a context, the state is home to the Bengal Renaissance, the world's first nationalist movement. Its culture is reflected in its art, music, literature, and cuisine. The place is also the headquarters of ISCKON, the seat of Ramakrishnan Paramhansa and the largest producer of jute.

Going back to history, West Bengal dates back to the 6th century BC, when the region was inhabited by the Banga people. The region was part of the Maurya Empire during the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. In the 1st century BC, it was conquered by the emperor Ashoka. The region was later ruled by the Gupta Empire, the Pala Empire, and the Sena dynasty. The region was invaded by Muslim armies in the 12th century, and was later ruled by the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was eventually annexed by the British East India Company in 1765. The region became an Indian state in 1947, after Indian independence.

Without further ado, let's look at the top five places to visit while you are here!