Day/overnight trips from Kolkata

Thoughtcrimes

Am going to be in Kolkata for 10 days in December and was wondering if anyone could recommend a town or small city within an approx 4 hr train ride from the city that might be worth spending a day or two in. I'll be visiting in Mumbai, Karachi and Kolkata on this trip and would like to experience life in a less urban setting at least for a day or two on the trip. Darjeeling sounds great but seems too far away (13 hours by train I was told) and Gangtok's even farther. Regardless, the location doesn't have to be a beautiful hill station or anything very touristy, just a small funky city or town that is fairly representative of the region and has some decent budget hotels and at least a few decent things to see and do.

Thanks very much in advance!

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sandeepbwn

U may try Bolpur-Shantineketan. Its in the Birbhum district & is about 2.5-3 hrs. by train from Howrah (thats the main station of kolkata). I think the town matches with ur expectations. also Shantineketan is well known for Rabindranath Tagore & the university he founded Viswabharati.

The best train to travel to Shantineketan is Howrah-Bolpur Shantineketan Express. It leaves Howrah at 1005 hrs IST. Please get back to me if want more details about the journey & place. I live at Burdwan which is about 1hrs train ride from Bolpur towards Howrah.

sandeepbwn

Check this out to know more about Rabindranath Tagore & Santineketan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabindranath_tagore
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiniketan
Govt. website http://www.wb.nic.in/westbg/shanti.html

Vishwa-Bharati University http://www.visva-bharati.ac.in

Pls check accomodation availibility if ur planning ur trip in last half of December as this is a popular weekend destination for people of Kolkata & suburbs during the holidays.

dhans

We once spent a very enjoyable day in Vishnupur. Main reason to visit are the temples made of bricks, which is something we hadn't seen before in india. It's a great place to wander around but if you're not Indian you will attract a lot of attention as not many westeners seem to visit. Take the evening (commuter) Purulia Express, stay 2 nights and take the early morning express back on day three.

Hans

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jyotirmoy

How about a trip to Bakkhali?

singsub

two thumbs up for Vishnupur.
I wouldn't recommend Bakkali - its not quite the "small funky city or town" you seek.

Thoughtcrimes

Thx for all your replies people. I think the original suggestion of Bolpur-Shantineketan suites me best, as Vishnupur is about a 10 hr train ride, and since I live in Florida, the beachtown that was also mentioned has less appeal to me. Moreover, there is a festival happening in Shantineketan in the last week of December which I'm hoping to maybe catch... tho likely the main issue would be finding lodging that weekend.

dhans

Vihnupur is less than three hours....

But just for the reord, Have fun!

Hans

Khak

Hi
you may also plan for a 2 days trip to Sundernbans. A day trip would be too hectic and you won't enjoy the beauty.

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Thoughtcrimes

dhans: You're right, I was way off on the travel time (wikitravel says it's 4-5 hrs by train from Kolkata), thanks for mentioning that. Maybe I'll get to go to both

Ann

Hi Thoughtcrimes,

I think you made your mind to visit Shantiniketan. I do agree that its a lovely place and you will enjoy a lot.

But theres a another place called Murshidabad which is known for its history & silk. If your interested in Indian history, then i will recommend to give a thought for it. More details regarding Murshidabad can be found at:

http://www.bangalinet.com/travel_murshidabad.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murshidabad

I have visited the place & I really enjoyed it a lot.

Happy Journey.

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dream_traveller

i was the student of shantiniketan. so certainly i wud suggest fr tht place.... also dun frgt to catch da fair(poush mela). 23 dec-30dec in shanitniketan. if u need further info regard'n tht place mail me at blowing_in_the_winds@yahoo.com

jhargram is another recommnd'd place. u cn get a feel of tribal lyfstyle.

sandeepbwn

@Thoughtcrimes
Thanx for liking the place. I do use gmail & googltalk. I hv sent u my mail id & tel. number via private mail.

The rush is especially during the last half of Dec. The rush is due to a fair named `Paus Mela' (mela in Bengali means fair). The rush is mainly concentrated around the fair ground.

U may try Mark Meadows, Camelia, Park Guest House (i know the owner of park guest house personally but mark meadows & camelia are better than the park...)

Mark Meadows http://www.markandmeadows.com/
Camellia Phone: +91-3463-54778,Fax: +91-3463-55044
Park Guest House Phone: +91-3463-262866

Info about Pausmela http://www.indiaprofile.com/fairs-fe.../poushmela.htm

Khak

Before the Grumpy One preaches let me remind you rules of IM - no sms lingo please

indiaguide

I suggest for both. One night in Vishnupure and one night in Santiniketan.

1st Day start from Kolkata by car and reach vishnupur around 12 noon. After lunch visit Vishnupur Terracotta Temple by richshaw/ car.If you visit Staurday or sunaday Aftre evening tea again visit some templa for illumination. Over night at Vishnupur Tourist Lodge.
2nd Day after B/F drive to Santiniketan . On the way vist a small village ( Bikhna) near Bankura for Dokra Work. on arrival 1st C/in hotel I suggest Baul Mon. after lunch visit Santiniketan University area and near by Santal village .O/N at Hotel
Next morning vist Amar kutir and drive to Kolkata.