Bengal's tourism e-service offers Durga Puja packages

Kolkata, Aug 25: Don't fret if you are a first time visitor to West Bengal and want to soak in the festive spirit during Durga puja.

Special tour packages can now be booked online, courtesy a new web portal launched by the state government.

Log on to www.wbtdc.gov.in or www.wbtourism.gov.in and take your pick from the myriad variety of iconic celebrations that go on across the city and its outskirts during the Durga puja - the biggest festival of the Bengalis.

The puja begins this year Sep 29.

Packages have been designed based on celebrations in different parts of the city.

Be it the famed marquees in south Kolkata's Suruchi Sangha, Deshapriya Park or Maddox Square or the variety of ceremonies in stately residences of reputed Bengali families in Hooghly district, there are a host of options.

For those who want a slice of old Kolkata's charm, bookings can be made for the Rajbari (residences of royal families of Bengal) tours.

And for a simple yet elegant experience, there is the choice to observe the rituals on a cruise vessel by the Hooghly.

According to Tourism Minister Bratya Basu, the portal, which was launched Saturday, will also enable tourists to book one of the 27 state-run lodges situated across the state and disseminate information on the tourism hot-spots.

IANS