Tag: monchasha

Five Destinations in West Bengal for Craft Lovers


West Bengal, with its rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, is a treasure trove for craft enthusiasts. The state is known for its exquisite handwoven textiles, intricate pottery, and unique folk arts, each representing centuries of craftsmanship. Craft lovers can explore West Bengal’s artistic legacy by visiting several offbeat destinations. At these places, you can witness traditional artisans at work and discover the stories behind their creations. Here are five destinations in West Bengal that are perfect for those passionate about handicrafts and folk art.

Shantiniketan – A Hub for Handmade Textiles and Artisanship

Shantiniketan, located in the Birbhum district, is synonymous with the cultural and artistic vision of Rabindranath Tagore. The town is famous for Visva Bharati University. It is also a thriving center for traditional crafts. It is particularly known for the famous Kantha embroidery and Batiks. The local artisans create exquisite handwoven saris, garments, and fabrics adorned with intricate embroidery and vibrant patterns. The Poush Mela, held annually in December, is a must-visit for craft lovers. It showcases a wide array of handmade goods. These range from jewelry to pottery. Shantiniketan offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with artisans and explore the fusion of art and craft. For stay options you can contact The Bengal Local at 9477476376 (whatsapp) or bengallocal@gmail.com (email)

Bishnupur – The Land of Terracotta Art

Bishnupur is located in the Bankura district. It is renowned for its magnificent terracotta temples. The town is known for the skilled craftsmanship behind terracotta pottery and sculptures. The region’s artisans have worked with terracotta for centuries. They create intricate panels, figurines, and ornaments. These pieces reflect the rich history of the Malla dynasty. Bishnupur is also famous for its Baluchari saris, which are handwoven with elaborate mythological scenes depicted on the borders. For craft lovers, a visit to Bishnupur offers a journey into the world of terracotta. The experience also includes textiles and traditional music. All these elements are deeply intertwined with the town’s cultural identity. For stay options you can go through the website www.thebengallocal.com or mail at bengallocal@gmail.com

Paushi Monchasha – A Rural Tourism Project Near Kolkata Located near Kolaghat, East Midnapore, Baishnabchak is famous for Horn Craft – Located near Paushi Village, Sabang is famous for Madur Craft and if you want to experience Shellac doll making then Egra is the only place here. Mind it! Goynabori – a food art of Bengal originates from this place. The village is an initiative to promote traditional crafts and sustain the livelihoods of local artisans. Monchasha Rural Tourism offers visitors the chance to witness live demonstrations of earthen crafts, Patachitra painting, and coconut made utensils and bamboo toy-making. The vibrant “Nabya Nakshi” showcases everything from handwoven textiles to clay dolls and masks. For craft lovers, it’s a great place to engage with artisans, buy authentic handicrafts, and learn about the state’s diverse craft traditions. For stay options you can go through www.monchasha.com or mail at monchasha@gmail.com (email)

Phulia – The Heart of Bengal Weaving Phulia, a small town in the Nadia district, is a renowned center for handloom weaving, particularly for its finely crafted Tant and Jamdani saris. The weavers of Phulia have preserved the ancient art of making intricate Jamdani patterns, creating exquisite designs on soft, lightweight cotton fabric. Visitors can explore the town’s weaving workshops, where they can see artisans working on traditional looms to produce these delicate saris. Phulia is also famous for its experimentation with modern designs, making it a must-visit destination for those who appreciate handloom textiles and want to explore the evolution of Bengali weaving. For stay options you can go through www.thebengallocal.com or mail at bengallocal@gmail.com

Naya Village – The Home of Patachitra Painters

Naya Village, located in the Pingla region of West Midnapore, is a lesser-known but fascinating destination for craft lovers, particularly those interested in folk art. The village is home to the Patuas, traditional scroll painters who practice the art of Patachitra, a storytelling tradition involving hand-painted scrolls. The Patuas not only paint intricate scenes but also sing songs that narrate the stories depicted in their scrolls, often revolving around mythology, folklore, and social themes. Every year, the village hosts the Pot Maya festival, where visitors can interact with artisans, buy Patachitra scrolls, and learn about this unique blend of visual and oral storytelling. For stay options you can go through the website www.thebengallocal.com or mail at bengallocal@gmail.com

These five destinations in West Bengal offer craft lovers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s rich artistic heritage. Whether it’s weaving, pottery, painting, or metalwork, each location showcases a different facet of Bengal’s traditional crafts, allowing visitors to engage with artisans and gain a deeper appreciation for their skill and creativity.

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Bengal :: History

The State has the alluvial plains known as the “dooars” in the South & the mountainous Himalaya in the North. The diversed geography of Bengal is always fascinating. The Darjeeling district is known as her scenic beauty & the tea. The dence forest region of Dooars is renowned by its collection of rich flora & fauna. The alluvial plains in the South are the basin of river Damodar, also known as the “Sorrow Of Bengal”. Other main rivers are Ganga & Hoogly. The coastal fringes of Midnapore have a curios mix of large shifting sand dunes & marshes. The district 24 pargana (South) has Sundarbans, the largest delta consists of swamps, quick sand & thick, impenetrable mangrove forest belt.


The region has its beginning in the Vedic times and was known as Vanga. The Aryans settled here after the Vedic period and many principalities and kingdoms were formed. The dynasties of Palas, the Pundras, Guptas, Mauryas and the Sens ruled over the region before the Mughals took control. The strategic location led to trade with the South East Asian countries especially Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Muslim influence was responsible for a rich culture and art. The ease of access brought the Portuguese, Dutch and French influence to its art and culture. The British successfully brought the modern education to Bengal and to this date, Calcutta has been considered the land of intelligentsia. No wonder that most of the Nobel Prizes for India have come from this State; Tagore, Bhabha, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen.

The State has the alluvial plains known as the “dooars” in the South & the mountainous Himalaya in the North. The diversed geography of Bengal is always fascinating. The Darjeeling district is known as her scenic beauty & the tea. The dence forest region of Dooars is renowned by its collection of rich flora & fauna. The alluvial plains in the South are the basin of river Damodar, also known as the “Sorrow Of Bengal”. Other main rivers are Ganga & Hoogly. The coastal fringes of Midnapore have a curios mix of large shifting sand dunes & marshes. The district 24 pargana (South) has Sundarbans, the largest delta consists of swamps, quick sand & thick, impenetrable mangrove forest belt.

The history of Bengal is intertwined with the history of the broader Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It includes modern-day Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam’s Karimganj district, located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, at the apex of the Bay of Bengal and dominated by the fertile Ganges delta. The advancement of civilisation in Bengal dates back four millennia. The region was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Gangaridai, a powerful kingdom whose elephant forces led the withdrawal of Alexander the Great from Eastern India. The Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers act as a geographic marker of the region, but also connects the region to the broader Indian subcontinent. Bengal, at times, has played an important role in the history of the Indian subcontinent. – WIKI

The area’s early history featured a succession of Indian empires, internal squabbling, and a tussle between Hinduism and Buddhism for dominance. Ancient Bengal was the site of several major Janapadas (kingdoms), while the earliest cities date back to the Vedic period. A thalassocracy and an entrepôt of the historic Silk Road, Ancient Bengal established colonies on Indian Ocean islands and in Southeast Asia; had strong trade links with Persia, Arabia and the Mediterranean that focused on its lucrative cotton muslin textiles. The region was part of several ancient pan-Indian empires, including the Mauryans and Guptas. It was also a bastion of regional kingdoms. The citadel of Gauda served as capital of the Gauda Kingdom, the Buddhist Pala Empire (eighth to 11th century) and Hindu Sena Empire (11th–12th century). This era saw the development of Bengali language, script, literature, music, art and architecture

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