Being a denizen of the capital city of West Bengal for decades, the clamour and racket of the city make a traveller mind long for destinations away from the chaos. An overburdened long week demands discovering destinations that can invigorate both the mind and the body. I am listing here five such weekend destinations from Kolkata that one can take up easily during weekends and get back to the desk on the 2nd day of the week, POSITIVELY!
5 Weekend Destinations From Kolkata
1. Digha
Away from the hustle-bustle of the city, this serene and unruffled beach of the Bay of Bengal provides the perfect tranquillity with Mother Nature. One hundred eighty kilometres away from Kolkata, Digha is a small coastal town located in the district of East Midnapore and also the most popular weekend destination of tourists living not only in Kolkata but also in its suburbs. There are two coastal fragments of Digha, Old Digha and New Digha. These two are located at a small distance of 3 kilometres which can be covered by an auto. Apart from Digha, there are a few other beaches viz. Mandarmani, Tajpur Sankarpur, Udaipur and Talsari are situated along its coastal lines and can be visited while on to Digha. Apart from enjoying the beach, one can visit other holds in and around Digha namely, Marine Aquarium, Amarabati Park and Chandaneswar Temple. Though water activities are restricted in Digha beach, a few of them can be found at Mandarmani and Talsari beach.
Best Time To Visit
The best time of visiting Digha is from February to April; nonetheless, Digha can be visited throughout the year except in monsoons as it gets heavy rainfall.
How To Reach
Plenty of buses, both private and Government run between Kolkata and Digha at different times of the day. Trains are also available from Howrah Railway Station to go to Digha. One can hire a car as well to reach the place. There is no airport at Digha. One has to take a flight to Kolkata and then travel to Digha by transport mentioned above.
Stay
Apart from the guest house run by the West Bengal government, bounteous multi-starred hotels and resorts are available in Digha, both along the beach and away from it. Guesthouses and holiday homes are also available for an inexpensive stay.
Food
Since it is littoral area seafood is available in plenty. Crabs, shrimps and a large variety of fishes are available throughout Digha. Hotels, Dhabas and Restaurants are obtainable in ample to plug the belly.
One can make their own arrangements for exploring Digha and there is no need for booking through travel agencies.
2. Sunderbans
The World’s largest delta, Sunderban is shaped by the convergence of rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna and is sheltered by mangroves which share their expanse both with India and Bangladesh. Many call it Sunderban National Park as it is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Located in the district of South 24 Parganas, it is perhaps the most popular weekend destination after Digha. The main attraction of the mangrove forest is the Royal Bengal tiger. Apart from it spotted deer, jungle cats, wild boars, crocodiles, turtles, cobras, river eels, starfish, common kingfishers, pelicans, jungle babblers, paradise flycatchers, jungle fowls, woodpeckers and eagles are often observed in the forest. The flora is dominated by Sundari trees (from which the name derives Sundarban) but trees like Keora, Gewa, Palm and Goran also cover a wide area of the forest. The unsurpassed part of Sunderban is that one can stroll through the entire forest in a motor launch.
Best Time To Visit
Though Sunderbans can be visited all throughout the year, September to March is the perfect time to visit the mangroves. Avoiding summer is better as the mercury hits high.
How To Reach
There is no airport at Sunderbans. One has to come to Canning railway station (90 kilometres from Kolkata) or Gosaba town (95 kilometres from Kolkata) and then take a motor launch to Sajnekhali. Plenty of buses and trains are available from Kolkata every day to come to Canning.
Stay
The best option for lodging while in Sunderban is to stay in motor launches. Apart from it, both Government and private tourist lodges are also available for the accommodation of travellers.
Food
Wide varieties of seafood options are available on the menu card. One can enjoy complimentary meals if they have bookings at motor launches. Apart from it, most of the tourist lodges have their own restaurants where one can satisfy their stomach.
The best option for visiting Sunderban is by booking through travel companies. They have customized packages and the traveller can relish the mangroves hassle-free.
3. Shantiniketan (or Bolpur)
Come to the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore’s abode of red soil, come to Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan or Bolpur is a small town located in the Birbhum district. Set at a distance of 165 kilometres from Kolkata, this is the picture-perfect destination for those who want to have a view of rural Bengal. The art, culture and tradition of Bengal come alive in every nook and corner of Shantiniketan. The place is famous for its multi-coloured thread work or ‘Kantha Stich’ which is embroidered on bags, sarees, shirts, scarves and bed sheets. Apart from the poet’s place, memoirs and museum, one can stroll around the green campus of Biswa Bharati University. Some other places of interest in and around Bolpur are Deer Park, Kankalitola, Shayorbithi Park and Srijoni Shilpogram. Villages near river Khoai and Sonajhuri forests come on the not to miss list in Bolpur. The local markets of these villages are worth visiting where village people exhibit and sell their handicraft items.
Best Time To Visit
Avoid visiting Bolpur during summer as it is tremendously broiling at that time. Monsoons will make the village roads murky and thick which will, in turn, hamper travellers’ visits to local villages. October to March is the best time to pay a visit.
Visiting Bolpur during Holi and Poush Mela (3 days in the 3rd week of every December) has a different charm and attraction. It is the time when the place gains its own revelries and tourists from every corner of the globe flock to take part in the celebration.
How To Reach
The nearest airport is Durgapur airport which is 80 kilometres away from Bolpur. Bolpur railway station is the main station of Shantiniketan where trains are available both to and fro Sealdah and Howrah railway stations. Regular buses are also there to travel to Bolpur from Kolkata.
Stay
Lots of homestays and hotels are available for a pleasant stay for visitors. Government guest houses are also available.
Food
Bolpur is a place where one can get the taste of authentic Bengali dishes, both veg and non-veg. So, don’t miss out on the Bengali dishes while in Bolpur. Hundreds of hotels and small dhabas are there to fill up one’s stomach.
One can make their own arrangements for exploring Shantiniketan and there is no need for booking through travel agencies.
4. Bishnupur
The first thing that comes to mind while speaking about Bishnupur is the Terracotta. Yes! Bishnupur is the mecca of terracotta. The small historical town is located at a distance of 150 kilometres from Kolkata in the district of Bankura. The place is famous for its Hindu temples and monuments made from terracotta. As Wikipedia says terracotta is a type of earthenware, clay-based unglazed or glazed ceramic where the fired body is porous. The dexterous shape and sophisticated designs are the key features of the terracotta temples of Bishnupur. Madanmohan temple, Raasmancha, Shyamrai temple and Jorbangla temple are a few of the many temple attractions of the place. Terracotta products include décor items like horses, wind chimes, laughing Budhha, flower vases, wall hangs and tiles. Apart from these, jewellery items and simple kitchen ladles made of terracotta are also available at Bishnupur marketplaces. The town is known for its Baluchuri sarees and suit pieces as well. Mukutmanipur and Ayodhya hills are close attractions set near Bishnupur.
Best Time To Visit
One can visit Bishnupur during any time of the year but avoiding summer is a wise choice as the place gets hot and humid during summer.
How To Reach
The nearest airport is Kolkata airport. Direct trains are available from Howrah railway station to reach Bishnupur but there are no direct buses. One can hire private cars as well to travel to Bishnupur.
Stay
Both Government and private hotels are available for providing accommodation to tourists.
Food
Since it is a small town, one may not find too many luxurious plates but plain and simple Bengali foods are easily available at roadside hotels and canteens.
One can make their own arrangements for exploring Bishnupur and there is no need for booking through travel agencies.
5. Murshidabad
If you want to have a taste of palaces and colonial architecture, do visit Murshidabad. Situated at a distance of 200 kilometres from Kolkata, this was once the Mughal capital of Bengal. The foremost tourist attraction of this place is the Hazarduari palace which stands along the banks of the Hooghly River. Apart from it, places like Foot mosque, Nizamat Imambara, Motijheel, Wasif Manzeel and Khoshbad are some other allures of Murshidabad. The citadels and museums give out an aroma of the Nawabi style and richness of the Mughal era. The palace courtyards, marble sculptures and large buttresses still sing the saga of the Mughal-British confluence. The historical cenotaphs up bring the rich heritage and legacy of Bengal and reflect both Indian and British antiquity. The place is well known for its silk garments which are broadly referred to as Murshidabad silk. Bengali muslin and ‘Jamdani’ sarees are some other uniqueness of Murshidabad which cannot be found elsewhere.
Best Time To Visit
Tourists flock to Murshidabad all around the year. But again avoiding the summertime is advised.
How To Reach
The best option is to take a train from Kolkata to reach Murshidabad. The nearest airport is Kolkata but there are no direct buses from Kolkata to reach Murshidabad.
Stay
Both Government and private staying places are available at Murshidabad for a pleasant stay.
Food
A voluminous amount of restaurants are there to offer tourists a variety of Bengali food.
One can make their own arrangements for exploring Murshidabad and there is no need for booking through travel agencies.