SHANKARPUR
BEACH TOUR
Shankarpur, a
virgin beach as
yet, is a recent
discovery. It
is a twin beach
of Digha, around
10 km. from it.
It offers nearly
all the pleasures
of a private beach.
This beach too
is cupped with
casuarina plantations.
Shankarpur is
only 14 km. east
of Digha, along
the Digha-Contai
Road. It is also
a regular fishing
harbour.
Shankarpur is
now developed
as a sea resort
with hotels, tourist
lodges and other
facilities.
JUNPUT
BEACH TOUR
Junput is 40 km.
from Digha by
bus, with a change
at Contai. The
place offers beautiful
sea-view and lines
of casuarina trees.
The beach is unspoilt.
Brackish water
fish cultivation
and research are
done here by the
State Government
Fisheries Department.
For
accommodation,
there is an Inspection
Bungalow under
the Superintendent
of Fisheries,
Junput.
FRAZERGANJ
BEACH TOUR
The white sand
beach, is entirely
different from
the other beaches.
It is pristine
pure and holds
the charms of
a beach unspoilt.
It can be accessed
from Calcutta,
and is a three
hours drive on
very good roads.
The destination
is also all too
famous for the
migratory birds
that can be sighted
over there
SAGARDWIP
BEACH TOUR
A lovely destination
combining pilgrimage
and fun, situated
on an island in
the Sunderban,
holds the charms
of a completely
unspoilt beach
on the estuary
of the mighty
Ganga. Sagardwip
presents a quiet,
silvery expanse
of beach and the
calm sea provides
the perfect setting
for a quiet weekend.
From Diamond Harbour
one has to travel
to Kakdwip (30
km. past Diamond
Harbour), then
to Herwood Point
(Lot No. 8), cross
the ferry to the
other side of
the river Muriganga.
The other side
is Kachuberia.
From Kachuberia,
a journey by bus,
minibus or trekker
to Sagar Island.
West Bengal Surface
Transport Corporation
runs direct buses
between Esplanade
and Lot No. 8
and ferry vessels
across the river.
On Makar Sankranti
day in winter
(mid-January),
pilgrims from
all over India
congregate at
Sagardwip to take
a holy dip at
the confluence
of the river Ganga
and the Bay of
Bengal. After
the holy dip,
they offer ‘Puja’
at the nearby
ashram associated
with the legendary
sage Kapil Muni.
This has been
a famous pilgrim
centre from the
ancient times.
Gangasagar Mela,
held on the occasion
of Makar Sankranti
is the largest
fair in West Bengal.
The lighthouse
at Sagardwip provides
a panoramic view
of the surroundings.
There are tourist
lodges at Sagardwip
and a Youth Hostel.
Also dormitory
accommodation
in a dharamshala
run by Bharat
Sevasram Sangha.
BAKKHALI
BEACH TOUR
It is so near
Calcutta and yet
so very different
from the bustling
metropolis that
is Calcutta. Bakkhali
is only 132 km
from Calcutta.
From Calcutta
to Namkhana by
bus (105 km.),
then a short diversion
by the ferry across
the Hatania Doania
river, and then
another hour and
a half bus journey
to Bakkhali. En
rout, there is
Diamond Harbour
(48 km from Calcutta)
where there is
a comfortable
Tourist Lodge
for accommodation.
At Bakkhali, the
beach is long
and sandy, the
waves twinkling
in the sunlight.
Dense casuarina
groves drape the
beach. Red fiddler
crabs march in
line on the beach.
For accommodation,
there is a Tourist
Lodge offering
both double-bedded
rooms and dormitories.
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