If you have been wondering which part of our incredible country to explore next, West Bengal may be the answer! Here in this article, we discuss some interesting facts about West Bengal that will surely make you wonder why you haven’t visited this place yet. The Indian state of West Bengal is in the east of the nation. It is the fourth most populous state in India. The state shares two international borders with Bangladesh and Nepal, the latter of which is shorter.
The capital of West Bengal is Kolkata, also known as Calcutta (called so by the British, and used officially until 2001). The city is about 80 km west of the Bangladeshi border and is situated on the Hooghly River’s eastern bank. It serves as a critical port of communication for North-East India and the principal business, commercial, and financial hub of Eastern India.
Kolkata weather is defined by its position in the tropical region. In comparison to many other cities, Kolkata enjoys a temperate climate. It experiences all five seasons. Summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and a short spring.
Here are some fun facts about West Bengal.
Origins Of The Indian Chinese Cuisine
Kolkata is where the Indian-Chinese cuisine that is so popular throughout the nation originated. People in Kolkata originally became obsessed with Chinese cuisine when Chinese immigrants first began to settle there. It developed its style throughout time and eventually became what is now known as Indian Chinese or “Chindian” cuisine.
India’s Former Capital Was Kolkata
During the British era, Kolkata served as India’s capital. In 1911, it was changed to New Delhi. Old buildings and impressive constructions from the British era can still be found in the city today. It is the only city in the nation that genuinely celebrates Christmas.
All Hail The Goddess
In addition to being a religious celebration, Durga Puja is a significant cultural event that unites all of the communities in the state and has been recognised by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” The week-long celebration involves decorating Kolkata with lights and colours, a moment of utter excitement for everyone. The five-day celebration begins in the Bengali month of Ashwin.
Throughout the five days of the festival the entire city is adorned with lavish pandals that may even be based on themes of their own! For example, last year a pandal was built around the theme of protesting farmers. Apart from these marvelous pandals, the entire city is filled with food items that are unique to the Bengali culture. Some of these are the Kolkata biriyani, kathi rolls and the world famous rosogolla.
World’s Largest Banyan Tree
The biggest banyan tree in the world can be found in West Bengal. The record-breaking banyan tree is located in Shibpur, Howrah’s Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. The botanical garden, which is close to Kolkata, is a great spot to relax amidst the beauty of nature. The tree was the most prominent tree specimen in the world in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989, even though it has been around since before 1800.
India’s Oldest And Largest Museum
The largest and oldest museum in the nation is located in Kolkata. One of the best locations to visit in the state of West Bengal is the Indian Museum, located in the heart of Kolkata. Numerous antiquities, fossils, works of art, historical papers, and other items can be found there. The Asiatic Society of India founded the museum in the year 1814.
Beautiful Beaches To Explore
Beautiful beaches can be found in West Bengal. West Bengal’s beaches are great places to spend the weekend. To mention a few – Digha, Shankarpur, and Mandarmani have some of the most magnificent beaches in eastern India. These are excellent locations to view the magnificent Bay of Bengal in all its splendour.
Digha in West Bengal is the most popular beach in the state.It’s 187 kilometres southwest of Kolkata. With a shallow sand beach that stretches up to 7 kilometres in length and gently rolling waves, Digha has a low gradient. This location has beautiful and captivating natural beauty. The beach’s beauty is enhanced by the casuarina plantations that line the coast.
We hope these facts about West Bengal inspire you to explore the state.
Let me know some interesting facts about your city in the comments below!