ARTISTIC BENGAL
Highlights
Arrive in Kolkata .On arrival ,you will be met with our assistance.After that transfer to hotel where you will be assisted with check in formality.After check in relax in the hotel.
This morning after breakfast in the hotel,you will proceed with our E.S.G for an orientation tour of the city, including the following places:
Flower market- eastern India's largest flower market with hundreds of stalls and people sitting on the ground. Around 2,000 flower growers from the surrounding areas come to sell their flowers and garlands and during the wedding anumberd festive season probably double that numberHowrah Bridge- This is one of four on the Hooghly River and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. The Howrah Bridge is the sixth-longest bridge of its type in the world.
Victoria Memorial, (Monday closed)Kolkata's imposing white marble dream inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921. It is a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring of remains of the British Raj in India. Built by Lord Curzon in memory of the popular monarch, Queen Victoria, it is a wonderful example of the Western style of architecture. It has been now converted in a museum that houses the most impressive collection of memorabilia from the days of Raj. The manuscripts, paintings and sculptures here are outstanding.
Kumar Tuli-Nestled in the lap of Kolkata, India's only potter's town, Kumartuli, is furiously churning out over 12,300 clay dieties every year Starting a half century ago, this potter's town of about 250 "Kumar" (makers of clay images) families began shipping idols overseas - initially 129 Durga idols to a handful of foreign countries, primarily England and USA. Some of these "Kumars" trace their family history before Job Charnock, the agent of British East India Company, who founded Kolkata.
Emerging virtually as an independent international brand of Durga-image makers, Kumartuli continues to remain an exclusive exporter of the idols of the goddess to NRIs settled in different nooks and corners of the globe during the Durga Puja held annually. The potter's town popularized the puja of Durga in clay images some four centuries ago
Mother House & museum(Thursday Closed) - Mother House is also known as Missionaries of Charity, Established in 1950 by Mother Teresa, is a Roman Catholic.Mother Teresa spends her crucial 17-years in Darjeeling of Bengal. Kolkata is the center of Mother's humanitarian activities. The first ever home of her was “NirmalHriday” for the dying & sick peoples. She established “SishuBhavan” for those who are orphaned, disables and mentally retarded. “Shanti Nagar” was established by her for AIDS hospices and Lepers
MARBLE PALACE:It is an exquisitely engineered palatial mansion that was built by Raja RajendraMullickBahadur, who was one of the wealthiest landlords of Bengal in the year 1835. It's sheer magnificence and scintillating artistry will surely captivate you in a state of trance.
This architectural masterpiece is made from the extensive use of Italian marble. The lush green lawn in front of it is clad with statues of Hindu Evening free for leisure.O/N in Hotel.
This morning after breakfast we visit with our E.S. G. the following places:
Bansberia – The tourist attractions of Banshberia are the Hangeshwari and AnantaVasudeva temples comprising intricate terracotta works. The five-storied Hangseshwari temple is built in a unique architectural style, comprising thirteen lotus bud-shaped minars and inner layout following human anatomy. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The construction of the temple was started by Raja Nrisinhadeb Roy Mahasay and was completed by his wife, Rani Sankari in 1814.
The AnantaVasudeva temple was built in the traditional ‘ekaratna’ style with an octagonal tower, triple arched entrance and curved cornices. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is famous for the terracotta works on the walls of the temple that depicts love, war scenes, gods and glimpses of everyday life. It is situated in the temple complex of Hangeshwari temple and was built in 1649 by Raja RameshwarDatta, an ardent follower of Vaishnavism. Its decorative scheme is similar to that of the terracotta temples, situated in Bishnupur.
108 Shiva Temples,Kalna(Burdwan)-With its splendorous terracotta temples, AmbikaKalna is rightly called as the “Temple Town”. Dedicated to the goddess of power, Maa Kali, these temples are built in typical aatchala style.The most attractive temple in Kalna is the 108 Shiva Temple Complex. It was built by Maharaja Teja Chandra Bahadhur in 1809 to celebrate the transfer and ownership of the royal estate of Bishnupur. An108 Shiva Temple at AmbikaKalnaarchitectural marvel, the temple structure is a combination of two concentric circles, each of which has small temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. These represent beads in a rosary and its walls depict episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharata and even hunting scenes.The outer circle has seventy-four temples and the inner one has thirty-four temples, decided mythologically with auspicious considerations. It is also called the Nava Kailasha temple and each of these 108 temples has a Shiva linga. The lingas in the inner circle are all white (symbolizing good deeds), while half of those in the outer circle are black (symbolizing sins).It is always preached that a human with his faith can connect to the Almighty through his sincere prayers and meditation. To attain solace, one needs to come over all worldly interests and wholly and solely dedicate his life towards the attainment of God. The same concept is being advocated through this, one of its kind, temple structure. The outer circle portrays the world we live in while the inner circle symbolizes the world with pure thoughts, attained by offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
Pratapeswar temple, KalnaPratapeswar temple is a fine example of 19th century terracotta temple of Bengal. Technically, it is of REKH-DEUL architecture with a curvilinear spire & a single arched entrance. It is decorated with terracotta art of the finest kind.
Evening return back to Kolkata. Overnight in Kolkata.
This morning after breakfast in the hotel, you will check out and proceed for Shantiniketan.Shantiniketan is a serene cultural hub in Bolpur. Key highlights include the sprawling Visva-Bharati University campus, Rabindranath Tagore's preserved Uttarayan houses, and the vibrant, open-air Sonajhuri Haat , where local artisans and Baul musicians gather. On arrival you will isit the following places: Tagore’s Ashram & Uttarayan Complex: Wander through the core of the Visva-Bharati University campus to see Chatimtala (where Maharshi Debendranath Tagore meditated) and the Upasana Griha (glass prayer hall). Don't miss the Uttarayana Complex, featuring Tagore’s five distinct homes (Udayan, Konarka, Shamali, Punascha, and Udichi) and the Rabindra Bhavana Museum. Sonajhuri Haat & Forest: Located just outside the campus, this weekend forest market is famous for local Baul music, tribal dances, and handmade handicrafts (terracotta, Kantha stitch, and Batik). Evening check into hotel. Overnight in Shantiniketan.
This morning you will visit the following places: Kankalitala Temple: A sacred Hindu shrine and Shakti Peeth situated peacefully on the banks of the Kopai River, just 7 km from town Amar Kutir: A short distance away, this cooperative society is the perfect place to shop for authentic rural Bengali crafts, leather goods, and hand-woven textiles Later in the afternoon transfer to Bishnupur.On arrival check into hotel. Evening relax for own activities.Overnight in Bishnupur
Today after breakfast ,you will proceed for full day local tour to explore a well-rounded trip to the "Temple Town of Bengal" including the following places: Rasmancha: The oldest brick structure in Bishnupur (built in 1600 by Malla King Hambir), featuring a unique elongated pyramidal tower. It was historically used to display idols of Lord Krishna during the Ras festival. Jor Bangla Temple: Built in 1655, it features the distinct do-chala (hut-shaped) style with double-sloped roofs and extensive terracotta carvings on the walls depicting scenes from the epics. Shyam Rai Temple: A classic five-towered (Pancharatna) temple constructed in 1643. It is famous for its intricate, detailed terracotta art. Madan Mohan Temple: A highly revered, large laterite stone temple built in 1694 by King Durjan Singh. Dalmadal Cannon: Located near the fort area, this massive iron cannon was built in 1742 by Raja Gopal Singh and is a symbol of Malla military history. Evening return back to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Bishnupur
This morning after breakfast, you will check out and proceed to visit the below place: Weaver Villages (Ghari Para & Patara Para): Taking a guided or self-guided walk through these colonies gives you an authentic look at multi-generational families at work. Many weavers are welcoming post-5:00 PM Later transfer to Kolkata. On arrival transfer to hotel After check in, free for own activities. Overnight in Kolkata.
After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Airport for departure transfer. Tour Ends.