The charms of Kolkata are countless including the colonial mansions, the natural beauty, the tram rides and the wonderful locals of Kolkata. The famous Durga Puja celebrations, the perfectly lit and busy ‘Park Street’ during the Christmas week and the spectacular sight of the Howrah Bridge will surely grab your attention. Also, the appetizing street food is available in every nook and corner of the city along with the masala chai available in the tea stalls.
If you are want to explore Kolkata, then here is a quick travel guide for you. Best time to visit Kolkata Summers in Kolkata are unbearable, while the monsoon (mid-June to September) is so unpredictable that you cannot leave home without carrying an umbrella, as it can rain almost about anytime! Therefore, it is advisable to stop by Kolkata between the months of October to February when the temperature is pleasant and cool, and you can have an enjoyable and comfortable stay in Kolkata in those months. Weather in Kolkata Kolkata has a wet and dry climate where the annual mean temperature is 24.8 °C. Summers are extremely hot and humid where maximum temperatures even exceed 40 °C sometimes. The city experiences rain between the months of June and September, while winter lasts for about two and a half months starting from mid-November and continuing till January. Famous places to stop by in Kolkata Victoria Memorial: Mughal and British architecture inspire this structural beauty constructed of Makrana marbles, and it houses 25 galleries including the royal gallery, the sculpture gallery and the portrait gallery!
College Street: A 1.5kms stretch of road with a number of bookstores is nothing but a haven for book lovers. In fact, College Street is the second largest second-hand book market in the world! There’s no book that you can’t find here. Coffee House: Located in College Street itself, this 300-year-old café will give you the feeling of old Calcutta owing to its structure and décor. Stop to have a cup of coffee while having a good chat with your friends. South Park Street Cemetery: Once one of the largest non-church Christian cemeteries outside Asia and Europe, this beautiful cemetery in Park Street is now reduced to a heritage site, which is open for visitors.
Known for its Bengal Tigers, the deciduous forest of Sunderbans takes you to the beautiful visuals of deer running in the forests. You may get lucky to spot the fishing cats, rhesus monkeys, wild boar and the largest Estuarine Crocodiles. Also, a wide variety of birds such as Cormorant, Heron, Fishing Engle, Seagul, Tern and Kingfisher can be seen at Sunderbans. The sanctuary is also a home to a wide reptile life. This includes attractions such as King Cobra, Pythons, Monitor and Lizards including the Salvator Lizards. Every year tourists in large numbers cross the rivers of Sunderbans to get a glimpse of its exciting wildlife. If you are also thinking to explore this largest mangrove forest in the world, then here is your travel guide. History of Sunderbans Sunderbans went through a dramatic series of changes to enjoy its current status. The history of the popular Sunderbans dates back to 200- 300 A.D. The forests were leased out to the nearby residents
during the Mughal rule. Also, the criminals used to take shelter in the forests to take refuge from the king’s armies. In 1985, Sunderban was declared as a National Park. This was done with the intent to preserve the wildlife of India, especially the Royal Bengal Tigers. This was essential to maintain the ecological balance.
If tigers continued to deplete, then this would have led to an increase in the herbivores which would be a threat to the natural fauna. Thus, in order to preserve the tigers, Sunderbans National Park came into existence. Sunderbans is a shelter for the underprivileged Sunderbans is not just about its flora and fauna. At the outskirts of the forests, there are many villages where people reside. As per the last census, around 4 million people used to live in Sundarban. Despite humans habituating the place and a century-long history of economic exploitation the Sunderbans have managed to retain a forest closure of about 70 percent. Best time to visit During the months between November and February is the best time to visit in Sundarban National Park.
How to reach Sunderbans? The Sunderbans are located just 101 km from Kolkata. If you opt for a car, then a three-hour drive will take you to Godkhali. This is the entry point to the national park. Here, you will get entry tickets for the park, which will cost around INR 60 for Indian citizens and INR 200 for foreign visitors.
Things to do at Sunderbans Explore the park: Exploring the vast park itself is one of the major activities people yearn to do in the Sunderbans. The vast range of flora and fauna is sufficient to make your visit worthwhile. Spot tigers and dolphins: Although it is a little tough to spot Royal Bengal Tiger. But, you can always try your luck. However, spotting dolphin is easier to spot and just a cruise away. Bharatpur crocodile project: If the sight of crocodiles lazing off in saline water fascinates you, then the Bhagatpur crocodile project is where you should head. Sajnekhali bird sanctuary: Watching birds flying in the air is a very peaceful experience. If you belong to the same school of thought, then head to a Sajnekhali bird sanctuary.