Egra
State
Egra is an ancient town situated on the Kolkata-Digha road.
Accessibility
Air
The nearest airport is Kolkata at a distance of 210 Km.
Rail
Road
District
Purba Midnapore
Topic
Unexplored
Jayanti
State
Jayanti, often referred to as the “Queen of Dooars”, is a small forest village within Buxa Tiger Reserve, located along the Jayanti River, forming a natural border with the Bhutan hills. The place is known for its beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and is an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate in the midst of nature. The way to Jayanti through the densely forested Buxa Tiger Reserve is a fascinating experience and huge attraction of Jayanti tour.
History
Jayanti is one of the 51 Shaktapiths according to Hindu mythology.
Accessibility
By Air: Nearest airport is Bagdogra airport, 195 km from Jayanti.
By Rail: Alipurduar is the nearest railway station of Jayanti. Nearest railway station is Rajabhatkhawa on the New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar-Samuktala Road Line.
By Road: Jayanti is well-connected by good road and can be reached from Cooch Behar, Jaldapada and Siliguri.
Things to do
Trekking
The 13 km trek from Buxaduar to Jayanti is especially popular, passing through the dense forest of the Buxar Tiger Reserve.
District
Jalpaiguri
Location
30 Km from Alipurduar
Topic
Jhallong
State
Jhalong is near Dooars, situated on the banks of Jaldhaka on the way to Kalimpong. It is located at the foothill of Himalayas where one can see the real beauty of Himalayas.
(Jhalong is a village, which is located 99 km away from Siliguri in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district in West Bengal. Situated on the banks of river Jaldhaka near the India-Bhutan border, this village is popular for its scenic beauty. The major attraction in the region is the Jaldhaka Hydro Electricity Project on the Jaldhaka River. This hydroelectric project is the first of its kind in India.
Location
99 km away from Siliguri
Topic
Kochua
State
Kochua is a village and believed to be the birth place of Loknath, a sage. The place is famous for the temple dedicated to Loknath. In honor of this sage Brojo Mandir was built in 1943.
District
North 24 Parganas
Topic
Malbazar
State
Malbazar is one of the more important towns in Dooars and due to its strategic location on the national highway, it serves as the gateway to Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wild Life Sanctuary, Jhalong, Bindu, Samsing and Suntalekhola.
Accessibility
Air:
Rail: From Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri (55 km).
Road: From Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri (55 km).
Topic
Jiaganj Azimganj
State
Jiaganj Azimganj is a twin town where the Jain culture flourished, gets its name from the two towns on opposite sides of the Baghirathi River, Jiaganj (Ziaganj) on the left bank and Azimganj on the right bank. Jiaganj's historical name is 'Baluchor'. The most famous Indian Sari, called 'baluchori' was invented here.
History
The twin towns of Jiaganj and Azimganj were important trade centre during the Subah reign in Bengal and considered as the "Baranasi of Bengal" during the period of Rani Bhabani (a renowned landlord of Bengal). It was also a holy place for Vaishnava culture in some point of time in the past.
Accessibility
By Air: Nearest airport is Kolkata, 223 km.
By Rail: There are two parallel railway links on both the sides of river Bhagirathi: one is connecting Sealdah (Kolkata) to Jiaganj and another Howrah (Kolkata) to Azimganj
By Road: The place is well-connected to adjascent townships like Lalbagh (Murshidabad), Berhampore, Lalgola, and Bhagabangola. Apart from buses (both private and state bus service) shuttle taxi is available in these routes.
Ferry: Jiaganj and Azimganj are connected by boat service managed by local municipality on river Bhagirathi. A new rail bridge is coming up over river Bhagirathi connecting Nashipur to Azimganj.
Getaways
District
Murshidabad district
Location
Situated on the opposite banks of the river Bhagirathi
STD Code
03483
Topic
Best time to visit
October to March
Diu
State
Diu is a city in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and Diu. It is a small island situated on southern east coast of Kathiawar, Gujarat separated from the mainland by a tidal creek. Diu is famous for being the location of the pivotal Battle of Diu in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, Dubrovnik and the then Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada. The monuments are well maintained and beaches are uncluttered, gentle and serene making them perfect for sun bathing and swimming.
Diu is a city in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and Diu, India. It is famous for being the location of the pivotal Battle of Diu in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, Dubrovnik and the then Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada.
History
The Parsee community that fled religious persecution in Iran in the 7th century landed here before moving to the southern coast of Gujarat. Diu is a tiny little island in the Arabian Sea, comfortably and easily accessible on the sea route from West Asia to India and the Far East. The Sultans of Oman controlled the entire region during the 14th and 16th centuries and Diu became a flourishing trading post and naval base from where the shipping routes of the Arabian Sea could easily be controlled. Little wonder then that the Portuguese doggedly tried to gain control of this strategically placed enclave before finally succeeding in 1539, after almost twenty years. For the Portuguese, Diu and its counterpart across the Gulf of Cambay, Daman served as base for the lucrative opium trade with the east. Diu remained under Portuguese control till its independence in 1961, even though the mighty naval empire of Portugal had declined long ago.
Accessibility
Air
Gujarat Airways is operating a daily flight between Mumbai and Diu
Rail
Nearest rail-head is Veraval, about 50 kms. From Diu train service is available from Veraval to Rajkot and Ahmedabad.
Road
Regular bus services are in operation from Diu, Ghoghla and Una to various cities in Gujarat.
Una- 30 kms, Ahmedabad- 495 kms, Bhavnagar- 225 kms, Bombay- 930 kms, Daman- 763 kms, Sasangir-128 kms, Rajkot- 261 kms, Somnath- 87 kms, Veraval- 77 kms.
Shopping
Shopping entails a lot of fun in Diu and it happens mostly on the beach where vendors sell handmade items and trinkets made of seashells and pearls. Other popular items sold here are leather slippers and handicrafts made of straw.
District
Diu District
Topic
Termperature
Summer 21-35°C, Winter 12-24°C
Best time to visit
October and May
Daman
State
Daman, a small beach town and an ex-Portuguese enclave, still retains a taste of old Portugal with well preserved forts and churches. While the town has a 2000 year old history, it is the Portuguese rule and legacy that draws visitors to this town. Daman is sometimes referred to as the Twin Fort City for the two impressive forts built by the Portuguese.
The Damanganga River, which flows into the Arabian Sea, divides the town into two distinct parts - the Nani Daman (Little Daman) and Moti Daman (Big Daman). The massive Daman Fort encloses the Moti Daman part of town.
History
Traces of Daman's history reach back to the 1st century A.D. In 1531, the Portuguese captured Daman along with Diu and Goa and these regions were officially ceded to the Portuguese by Bahadur Shah, the last major Gujarati Sultanate in 1559.
In 1961, these Portuguese territories joined the Union Trerritory of India under Operation Vijay. In 1975, the Treaty of Friendship and Peace accorded it De facto recognition to form an integral part and parcel of India. Till 1987 Goa, Daman and Diu were considered a single union territory, when Goa became a separate state. Today it is only the Union territory of Daman and Diu governed from Delhi.
Accessibility
Air
Nearest airport is Bombay 193 kms.
Rail
Nearest railhead is Vapi 12kms. The best way to get to Daman is by train, the nearest railway station being Vapi (10 km). Vapi is connected to Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot. The distance between Vapi and Daman can be covered by bus, shared taxi or auto-rickshaw. The other railhead is at Valsad in Maharashtra, 45 km away. Local buses, unmetered taxis and tongas are available from the railhead to the town.
Road
Daman is 193 km from Mumbai, 367 km from Ahmedabad, 763 km from Diu and 87km from Panaji in Goa by National Highway – 8 running from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. It connects Daman via Vapi. Gujarat and Maharashtra state transport corporations operate daily bus services to and from Daman to Vapi, Bhilad and Valsad or one could also hire a car from rental agencies in Surat or Mumbai. The coastal roads are in fairly good shape, making it a pretty and pleasant drive.
Shopping
There is Foreign Market in Daman town where one can buy imported goods. In Nani Daman electronic items and household goods are available and of course, IMFL liquor is available in plenty!
Accommodation
Most tourist accommodation is located at small Daman or Nani Daman, across the Daman Ganga River from Moti Daman. The road along the seafront is full of decent hotels that along with great views, offer their guests comfortable rooms with or without air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, in house dining facilities and even a roof garden! Down at Miramar and around Devka are good guesthouses, holiday cottages and a resort complex; all of them have decent accommodation and good dining facilities.
Location
Daman is situated on the west coast of India on the Arabian Sea and off the Surat District in Gujarat
STD Code
0260
Topic
Termperature
Summer 21-35°C, Winter 12-24°C
Best time to visit
October and May
Unakoti
State
Unakoti is a unique place, which can not be compared to any other place in the country in terms of absolute grandeur and artistry. It literally means one less than a crore and is one of the biggest bas-relief sculptures in India.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75898774@N08/6813500013/in/photostream/
History
According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Siva was going to Kashi through this place, along with one crore other gods and goddesses, he spent a night here. He had asked his followers to wake up before sunrise and proceed for Kashi . But, unfortunately, no body woke up, except for Lord Siva himself . He cursed them to become stone images. That is why we have one less than a crore stone images there.
Accessibility
By Air: Kailasahwar town is connected with bi-weekly Indian Airlines flights from Agartala.
By Road: To get to Unakoti, one can hire a taxi from Agartala, the state capital.
Location
170 kms from the capital city of Agartala
Topic