West Bengal

West Bengal is known throughout for it's freedom movement. Bengal has long been considered by many as the cultural centre of India.

This region has a long history and predates Aryan invasions. Permission is required to enter the Sundervans Wildlife Sanctuary. South of Calcutta is the Hooghly rive which is difficult to navigate due to shifting shoals and sandbanks.

Diamond Harbour is located 51kms south of Calcutta and is the point where the Hoogly river reaches the sea and is a resort area.

North of Calcutta is Serampore and Barrackpore. It was the Danish centre until the holdings in India were transferred to the East India Company in 1845.

Vishnupur was an important cultural centre and was the capital of the Malla Kings from the 16th century to the early 19th century.

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.