Calcutta

The north-east of India is one of the country's most fascinating regions, which makes it hard to understand why it is ignored by so many travellers. Most visitors grudgingly make only necessary trips to Calcutta and put in fleeting appearances at Darjeeling and Puri. It is also a friendly and sophisticated metropolis with a vibrant political and artistic heartbeat. The other reason why there have been few travellers in the area is that most of the Indian Himalayan states in the north-east have until recently been all but sealed off from the outside world. Government restrictions on travel are now easing and intrepid travellers are making the most of the new freedom.

The capital of West Bengal sprawls shapelessly along the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. Founded in the late 17th century, it grew from a sleepy settlement into the capital of British India. Its fortunes continued to soar until a massive influx of refugees (the result of Partition) led to Calcutta becoming an urban horror story. However, this plucky city is keen to promote itself as the `City of Joy' and, given half a chance it reveals itself to be one of the country's most fascinating and congenial cities the intellectual capital of the nation and a thriving political and arts arena.

The region also has an exceptional physical geography, ranging from the marshes and plains of Calcutta to the hill station of Darjeeling and the low-lying valleys, forests and snow-draped plateaus of Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya. Dotting the landscape are striking temples, isolated Buddhist monasteries, Victorian monuments and rare flora and fauna. Its people comprise Bengalis, the Nepalese of Darjeeling and Sikkim the hill tribes of Assam and Meghalaya and the 62 tribal groups in Orissa. Fascinating, Bewitching, Bewildering.

Dont's:
When visiting mosques or temples shorts or sleeveless tops are not to be worn.
Smoking and the holding of hands, the touching of carvings or statues and the touching of someone's head is not permitted. Removal of shoes prior to entry. (these apply to both men and women). In some mosques you will be required to cover your head.

Never point the soles of your feet to another person or statue.

The right hand should be used for all occassions. The left is considered dirty.

When swimming nudity is not allowed, even in remote areas. Women should wear a sarong if they are in public view.

Some animals are considered sacred, please check with local authorities.

Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.