Kumartuli or Kumortuli is located in the northern part of the city of Kolkata . The locality is a traditional habitat of the potters for nearly three hundred years. The potters or the artisans or the artists settled here during the restructuring of the Kolkata colonial region by the British East India Company . Earning a livelihood by making earthen pots and utensils first they gradually shifted to the making of the idols of Gods and Goddesses for various festivals round the year. With increasing demand and quality of their creations over time the artisans became famous and Kumartuli came to be known as the hub of idol makers supplying thousands of idols, particularly of Goddess Durga , to whole of the state of West Bengal and to NRIs of around 90 countries across the globe. At least three months before Durga Puja , the biggest festival of West Bengal and one of the biggest across Eastern India, more than five hundred workshops come alive with hyper activity day and night. Fir...
The most exciting sightseeing of a Mahabaleshwar visit is the trip to the mountain fort Pratapgad—about 22 km from Mahabaleshwar through a narrow hilly road that cascades up and down the Sahyadri Mountain range in Western Ghats making you gasp all the way. The sharp turns to the extent of almost 180 degrees and the green valleys down thousands of feet now one side of your car and the next moment the other side. Pratap Gad —the Fort (Gad) of Valour (Pratap)—is strategically placed and is known for the legendary Battle of Pratapgad in 1659 fought and won by Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj against Afzal Khan, the commander of the mighty Sultanate of Bijapur . Through a web of deceit from both sides finally Shivaji killed Afzal Khan here and the Afzal Khan Tomb was also built in the Fort environs. You can climb up to the top through two layers of Fort constructions and get amazed by the military strategy adopted and the sheer natural beauty all around. Tea Break at a Restaurant ...