
Places Covered: Kolkata 3N + Shantiniketan 2N + Bishnupur 1N
Itinerary
Day 01: Kolkata Airport / Rly. Station – City Hotel
Meet & Greet on arrival at Airport / Railway Station & transfer to hotel. Check-in to hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Kolkata.
Day 02: Kolkata – Shantiniketan (210 kms / 4 hrs)
After early breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan was founded in 1901 by Noble Laureate Shri. Rabindra Nath Tagore who visualized a perfect harmony of humanity with nature. Arrive & Check in at hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Shantiniketan.
Day 03: Shantiniketan Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Kopai & Khoai River, Amar Kutir (Handicraft Center), Visva – Bharati University Campus, the complex at “Uttarayan”, Art Gallery, Museum & Ballavpur Deer Park. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at Shantiniketan.
Day 04: Shantiniketan – Bishnupur (190 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast check out from hotel & drive to Bishnupur. Arrive & Check in at hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Bishnupur.
Day 05: Bishnupur Sightseeing – Kolkata (170 / kms 4 hrs)
After breakfast check out from hotel & visit temples where you can find unique art of Terracotta. And also you can find famous Sarnachuri & Baluchuri Sarees. You can visit Jore Bunglow, Madanmohan Temple, Chhinnamasta Temple & Dalmadal Kaman. Later drive back to Kolkata. Arrive & Check in at hotel & evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at Kolkata.
Day 06: Kolkata City Tour
After breakfast start for full day Kolkata city tour covering Howrah Bridge*, Belur Math, Vivekananda Setu*, Dakshineswar Temple, GPO*, Writers Building*, Eden Garden Stadium*, St. Pauls Cathedral Church, Victoria Memorial Hall, Mother House & Birla Temple. Overnight stay at Kolkata. (*Drive Pass)
Day 07: Kolkata Hotel – Kolkata Airport / Rly. Station
After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Airport / Railway Station for onward journey.
Inclusions
- Accommodation on twin Sharing Basis.
- Meal Plan (as per mentioned above).
- Exclusive AC Vehicle for transfers & sightseeing as per Itinerary.
- All permit fees & hotel taxes (as per itinerary).
Exclusions
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage.
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance Fees & Guide charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc. (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Service Tax.
Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Hotel Info
ACCOMODATION | ||||
DESTINATIONS | PREMIUM | LUXURY | DELUXE | STANDARD |
Kolkata (CP) | Novotel Hotel and Residences / Similar | Park Plaza /Park Prime / Similar | Niharika / Kempton / The Corporat /Similar | Pallavi International / Dee Empressa Similar |
Shantiniketan (CP) | Mark & Meadows / Camelia / Similar | Mark & Meadows / Similar | Shantiniketan Tourist Lodge / Similar | Vasundhara Inn / Similar |
Bishnupur (CP) | Hotel Saptarishi (Classic Suite Room) / Similar | Hotel Saptarishi (Suite Room) / Similar | Bishnupur Tourist Lodge / Saptaparna/ Similar | Bishnupur Tourist Lodge / Similar |
Sightseeing
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Indian Museum
he largest museum in the country was constructed in 1878. Prior to that the museum was located at the Asiatic Society building. The museum has now over sixty galleries of art, archaeology, anthropology, geology, zoology and botany sections, spreading over ten thousand square feet area.
Timings: Tue-Sun 10am - 5pm (Monday closed)
Entrance fee Rs.10 (Rs.150 for foreigner) -
Dakshineswar Temple
Located on the bank of the river Ganga near Bally Bridge, Dakshineswar Temple remains as one of the most important Hindu temple in Kolkata. The main temple houses an idol of Goddess Kali on a silver lotus with thousand petals. There are twelve spires known as Navratna Temple and a courtyard surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Siva. Shri Shri Ramakrishna, the great 19th century religious personality attained enlightenment in this temple. There is a congregation of 5 ancient trees known as Panchavati, a spot for meditation. The temple is full of memoirs of Ramakrishna and his wife Sarada Devi. On an average, over 40,000 people visit this temple every day.
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Belur Math
This magnificent temple located on the bank of river Ganges is the head quarter of the Ramakrishna Mission. It was conceptualized by Swami Vivekananda, the illustrious disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. The construction took four years and was completed on 1899. The temple building is one of the finest specimens of temple architecture in India. The display includes Swami Vivekananda's room, meditation bed, belongings etc. From the temple, one can have a panoramic view of the holy river Ganges.
Timing: 8am - 11:30am & 4pm - 7:30pm -
Kalighat Temple
The temple is believed to be 350 years old. The earliest mention of Kalighat is found in 'Ain-i-Akbari' (a historical document written during the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar) in the 16th century. Kalighat is the temple of Goddess 'Kali', the deity of power.
The temple was rebuilt in 1809 and renovated in 1971. A black stone idol of Goddess Kali decorated with gold and silver ornaments is ensconced here. -
Marble Palace
Local landlord Rajendra Mullick built this palace in 1855 using Italian marble.The palace has an interior courtyard, complete with a throne room. The building has paintings of Rubens, Reynolds.
Entrance Fee: FREE but you must obtain a permit from West Bengal Tourism Office.
Timings: 10am-04pm (except Monday and Thursday) -
Nakhoda Mosque
This is the largest mosque in Kolkata. The mosque was built in 1926 by a merchant from Kutch named Abdur Rahim. The red sandstone building with two 46 meter high minarets and a brightly painted magnificent dome displays Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The structure was modeled on Akbar's tomb in Sikandara near Agra.
The mosque is located in Chitpore area and can accommodate 10,000 people. -
St. Paul’s Cathedral
When first built in 1847 by Bishop Wilson, this was the first Episcopal Cathedral Church in the eastern world. The Indo-Gothic style structure was severely damaged in earthquakes and was redesigned and rebuilt in 1938 replicating Bell Harry Tower of Canterbury Cathedral. The cathedral has many rare paintings and antique books. The interior is decorated with mosaic panels, stained glass windows, beautifully carved wooden pews, intricate artwork on walls and two marvelous Florentine frescoes. The church is 201 feet high.
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Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial was built between 1906 and 1921 in the memory of Queen Victoria. It's foundation stone was laid by Prince of Wales(George V) on January 4th, 1906, and was inaugurated by Prince of Wales(King Edward VIII) on 28 December 1921. This majestic while marble palace is located in southern part of the Maidan. The area comprises of 64 acres of land with gardens, pool and walk trails. The building covers 338 feet by 228 feet of land and the highest point is about 184 feet above the ground with a black bronze angel holding a bugle in her hand. The statue is about five meters tall, weighs 3,500 kg and rotates when the wind speed is high enough. Currently the memorial building serves as a museum. The building has galleries with paintings, portraits of eminent personalities, documents witnessing the city's history during the British period.
Timings: 5:30am - 7:00pm. The museum: 10:00am - 7:00pm
Tickets: Rs.4 per person for entering into the premises. For the museum or inside the building Rs.10 per person. -
Writer’s Building
Also known as 'Mahakaran' in Bengali, this building houses the State Secretariat and is the official address of the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The Writers Building got it's name for being the dwelling place of the junior servants (who were also called as writers) of the East India Company during the early British era; since late 19th century the building started hosting the office of the Bengal Secretariat. The original building was constructed in 1779; the current red brick style structure was completed during the time of Lt. Governor Ashley Eden in 1882. The total area consists of 10 acres of land and thirteen four storied buildings. The building epitomizes the political revolution of Bengal.
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Birla Planetarium
Inaugurated in 1963, Birla Planetarium was the first of it's kind in India. The Planetarium owns an astronomical observatory equipped with a Celestron C-14 Telescope.
The central dome has a diameter of 27 meter. The building is modeled after the Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi. The central hall can accommodate 500 people which hosts daily shows in English, Hindi and Bengali.
Timings: 12-7pm (closed Monday)
Entrance fee Rs.15 -
Academy of Fine Arts
Established in 1933, the Academy of Fine Arts holds impressive collection of Indian art. Majority of the pieces have been donated by Lady Ranu Mukherjee from her personal collection. The collection includes rare paintings of Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, contemporary Indian art, mediaeval Bengal and Indian textiles, sculptures, miniature paintings, manuscripts. There is a room dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore which displays some of his personal belongings. The auditorium hosts group theatres, dance programs and various cultural shows throughout the year.
Art Galleries: Daily open 3-8 pm except national holidays.
Museum: Daily 12-7 pm except Monday.
Entry Fee: Rs.5 -
Asiatic Society
Located in the intersection of Park Street and Chowranghee, Asiatic Society was formed in 1784 by Sir William Jones and a group of Europeans with Warren Hastings as it's first patron. The library inside has approximately 149,000 volumes including 8,000 rare Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Hindi manuscripts. It is also rich with archaeological relics, geological and ethnological specimens. The rooms of the society contain valuable work of art, including original paintings by Reubens, Guiles, Reynolds and others. The library also has an interesting collection of manuscripts, coins, inscriptions and engravings. The Ashokan rock edict is a unique item here.
Timing: Mon-Fri 10:30am - 6pm -
Eden Garden
The Eden Garden Cricket Stadium was built in 1864 and is the second largest stadium in the world behind Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. The stadium in the recent years has undergone renovation work. This cricket stadium has been host to a number of great cricket games that have made mark in the history of cricket. The first ODI was played in the year 1987 and the first test match was played in 1934. The test match was against Douglas Jardine's MCC. The ground is home to The Bengal Cricket.
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Botanical Garden
It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in India. The place is located around 8 kms from the Calcutta City. One of the major attractions of this garden is the famous Giant Banyan Tree, which is said to be around 2 centuries old. Botanical Garden was developed by the East India Company in the year 1787. The place has a variety of plants, palms and orchids that would take you close to nature. One would also come across rare trees and plants. The place has a library where one would get a huge collection of botany books. In the year 1793 William Roxburg, a botanist, brought plants from all over the country and formed herbarium. This herbarium is now The Central National Herbarium of Botanical Survey of India.
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Howrah Bridge
It is not often that a certain landmark becomes the very identity of the entire city. The Howrah Bridge or the Rabindra Setu, also termed as the gateway of Kolkata, is one such structure which due to its grandeur and majestic appeal has been the face of Kolkata for over a century. Constructed on the river Hoogly, the bridge connects the city to the Howrah district and effectively the Eastern part of the country.
This steel structure is 705m long and boasts of 8 lanes collectively 97m wide. Reportedly over one lakh different vehicles and 2 million commuters traverse the bridge to either direction every day. The ships and boats often enter the Kolkata harbor after traveling under the bridge. Recently it has been illuminated and is a sight to behold during evenings. -
Tagore House (Jorasanko)
It is not often that a certain landmark becomes the very identity of the entire city. The Howrah Bridge or the Rabindra Setu, also termed as the gateway of Kolkata, is one such structure which due to its grandeur and majestic appeal has been the face of Kolkata for over a century. Constructed on the river Hoogly, the bridge connects the city to the Howrah district and effectively the Eastern part of the country.
This steel structure is 705m long and boasts of 8 lanes collectively 97m wide. Reportedly over one lakh different vehicles and 2 million commuters traverse the bridge to either direction every day. The ships and boats often enter the Kolkata harbor after traveling under the bridge. Recently it has been illuminated and is a sight to behold during evenings. -
Mother House
The Mother House on AJC Bose Road is the place where Mother Teresa lived while serving those in need in Kolkata. The Mother House belongs to the Missionaries of Charity, the organization set up by her. It houses a small museum, which displays her belongings. Even the room used by her is preserved for display. And of course, visitors who wish to do so are able to pay respects to her tomb, which is also located here.
Time: 8:00am - noon and 3:00pm - 6:00pm (Thursday closed); prayers 4:30pm Fri; volunteer briefings 3:00pm Mon, Wed and Friday -
Netaji Bhawan
Netaji Research Bureau, in the Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata, has established the Netaji Museum in 1961. Sarat Chandra Bose dedicated this house on 23rd Jan 1947 for nation’s service. This is a completely organized biographical museum, dedicated to the life of Netaji with a huge quantity of materials related to him. The museum has things collected from all over the world that has connections with Netaji. Netaji has always been the curiosity of the people firstly due to his contributions and secondly due to his mysterious disappearance, which has, many myths associated with him. Hence this house has been attracting large crowd of people since the day it was opened to the public as the house. The house is overwhelmed with visitors, during Netaji Birthday week, in January.
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Uttarayan Complex
The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra (Rabindra Bhavan) designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.
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Chhatimtala
Here Maharshi Devendranath, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to meditate. Prayers are held usually at Convocation time. Successful graduates of the Vishwa Bharati University are presented a branch of five leaves each from the Saptaparni trees which abound in the area.
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Cheena Bhavan
As the name suggests, Cheena Bhavan is the Study centre for China, mainly aimed at fostering India - China relation and is located at Santhiniketan. This promotes the liaison between India and China. The main aim of this study centre is the development of Indo-Sino relations and the cultural relations. This Bhavana offers many research facilities and studies on Chinese culture and societal relations. This place was regularly visited by Chinese scholars to offer their knowledge base to the students in Visva Bharathi.
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Rabindra Bhavan
Tagore memorial museum or Rabindra Bhavana is established in 1942 at Santhiniketan and is a place reverberating with the memory of the famous poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This Bhavana displays the personal collections of Rabindranath Tagore and also the gifts presented to him from India and abroad.
A library and a general section with spectacular collection of paintings, letters written by celebrities and manuscripts are enclosed in this centre. Tagore’s photographs depicting his lifestyles and voice records are also displayed here. Entry is free of cost.
Entry Timings 7am to 11 am during summer and 10.30 am to 4.30pm during winter (Tuesdays 10.30 am to 1pm), Wednesday closed holiday. -
Amar Kutir
Amar Kutir - meaning my home - in Bengali which is a cooperative unit, was established as a place of refuge and self-sustenance for the fugitives who fought for Indian Independence and were either wanted by the British jailors or were unwanted by their respective families. Amar Kutir is located 15 kilometres from Shantiniketan on the banks of River Kopai in the Birbhum District in West Bengal State.
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Kankalitala Temple
One of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas of the country is the Kankalitala Temple which is located about 8 kilometres northeast of Shantiniketan town in Bolpur sub-division of Birbhum District of West Bengal State. Kankalitala Temple is located in Kankalitala town on the banks of River Kopai.
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Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Also known as the Deer Sanctuary, Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is 3 kilometres northwest of the Visva Bharathi University in Shantiniketan. The Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary houses almost all types of Deers such as the black buck and spotted deer, foxes and jackals as well as a huge flock of migratory water birds - more than 6000 in number.
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Visva Bharathi University
Initially established as place for conducting experiments in education and setting up a new and alternate mode of educating as opposed to the Western style of pre-defined education, is the Visva Bharathi established in 1863 - currently a Central University in a small town of Birbhum District - Shantiniketan. A massive open-air campus with countless back-to-back large and old trees causing large patches of cool shade is the first description anyone who visited would give to the Visva Bharati University Campus. Tourists are allowed to tour the Visva Bharathi premises during the visiting hours which is a two-hour window per day. The best time to visit the Visva Bharati University campus when the whole campus community is in its full-elements is during Rabindra Janmotsav & Poush Mela.
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Sriniketan
In 1992, Sriniketan, a centre for rural reconstruction was established in Santiniketan. Sriniketan also has a department devoted to the studies of the socio-economic problems of India. This centre focuses on education related to agriculture, handicrafts, cottage industries, welfare of villages and adult education.
Visitors can also look at the tribal handicrafts, goods made in traditional ways like pottery, batik on cloth, leather and silk and materials required for weaving. -
Vidya Bhavan
In 1925, Rabindranath Tagore founded Vidya Bhavan, which is the study centre for the social sciences and humanities. It is situated in Santiniketan’s Viswa Bharati University complex. Here regular graduate and undergraduate courses are offered.
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Kala Bhavan
In 1919, Rabindranath Tagore established Kala Bhavan, the centre for study and research in visual arts in India, in the complex of Viswa Bharati University.
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Upasana Bhavan
Upasana Griha is a prayer hall made of several Belgium colored glasses. It has steps of marble on all the four sides. During evenings, candles are lit throughout the prayer hall and it is resplendent in light.
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Rasmancha
The oldest brick temple in Bishnupur, Rasmancha has unique structure and is the only temple of its kind in India. Built by Malla King Bir Hambir in 1600 CE, the temple has only one chamber, the sanctum sanctorum, with an elongated tower encircled by turrets which are of hut shapes. It is enclosed by a passageway and there are some big cannons which date back to Malla period.
During the festival of Vaishnava Ras, all the idols of Radha Krishna of Bishnupur region used to be bought here to be worshipped by the people. The festival is no longer held now; it was held till 1932 and then stopped. Moreover, Rasmancha is no longer a temple today; it is a protected monument now. -
Jorebangla Temple
Built by Malla King Raghunath Singh during 1655 AD, this temple is one of the tourist places in Bishnupur town. The temple has an appearance of two thatched huts joined together and surmounted by a single tower. The temple’s roofs and walls have classical Chala style of architecture and the terracotta works on the walls are simply magnificent.
A plenty of terracotta panels are set on the walls and rooms of the temple and some carved designs on the temple displays the Royal lifestyles, stories depicting the epics and historical scenes. This ancient structure built using laterite bricks is a worth visiting site in Bishnupur town. -
Lalji Temple
This laterite eka-ratna temple was built in 1658 by Bir Singha II of Malla dynasty. The temple is one of the famous temples built by Malla kings in Bishnupur. The deity worshipped here are Sri Krishna and Radhika. The temple is constructed on a square raised plinth, which consists of ornamental stucco decorations on low relief carvings.
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Madan Mohan Temple
This eka-ratna temple was built by Malla King Durjana Singh Dev in late 17th century. Considered to be one of the oldest temples in Bishnupur, it has a square flat roof with curved cornices and a pinnacle over the top. Stories of the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas can be depicted from the wonderfully carved walls of the temple.
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Radha Shyam Temple
This eka-ratna temple was built by Malla King Durjana Singh Dev in late 17th century. Considered to be one of the oldest temples in Bishnupur, it has a square flat roof with curved cornices and a pinnacle over the top. Stories of the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas can be depicted from the wonderfully carved walls of the temple.
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Dal Madol Canon
The cannon named as Dal Madol was built by the Malla kings to fight the Maratha invasion. This Cannon is near Chinomasta temple and is significant for the people of Bishnupur as well as Bengal. The cannon measures about 3.8 m in length and has a barrel of 28.5 cms. It was built in the year 1742 under Raja Gopal Singh to protect Bishnupur from Marathas. The Cannon is built with iron materials and doesn’t have any rust, though it is exposed to rain and sun since 18th century.