Originally a Portuguese settlement that became the seat of a Dutch trading station and an important river anchorage for Dutch shipping, Baranagar is a city in northeastern India. It is a major industrial centre engaged in jute and cotton milling, cotton ginning and baling and the manufacture of chemicals, castor oil, matches and agricultural and industrial machinery. Take a stroll through the fields of Baranagar and visit 3 miniature terracotta temples.
Once a French colony, you can get a flavour of Chandannagar’s past through its old names, museums, churches, colleges and homesteads, most of which are grouped along The Strand. Aside from its French connection, the city is well known for its craftsmen who are masters of illumination, able to create anything with tiny bulbs and fairy lights on wired frames.
Kalna, once an important trade port on the river, is best known today for the magnificent Hindu temples built by the maharajas of Bardhaman. After marvelling at the astonishing Rajbari temple complex, you may opt to walk with your guide through the colourful local market.
Kolkata, the state capital of West Bengal, has an estimated population of 4.6 million making it one of India’s largest metropolitan areas. During the British rule in India, when it was then known as Calcutta, it was India’s most important trading port. With a long history and a mix of cultural influences, Kolkata is a fascinating city with a lot to offer its visitors.
Murshidabad is a historical city in West Bengal well known for its agricultural trade and silk-weaving centre. Of historical interest are Nizamat Kila, also known as the Hazaarduari Palace (Palace of a Thousand Doors) built in an Italianate style, Pearl Lake with Muradbagh Palace and Khushbagh Cemetry. Today, the city is renowned for its tourist sites and thriving handicraft industry.
Which cruise lines sail along the Ganges River?
