#digha

1. Mandarmani: Sea, Sand, and Driving on the Beach*

*Distance*: 180km, 4 to 4.5 hours by road. *Why go*: Longest driveable beach in India. Bikes, cars, red crabs, sunrise. Kolkata’s Goa but cheaper and no passport stamp. *Do this*: 1. *Beach drive at low tide*: 6am to 9am. Check tide timings. Rent a bike 500 rupees hour. 2. *Red crab hunt*: Sunset. Millions come out. Looks like beach is moving. 3. *Seafood*: Pomfret fry, crab masala at beach shacks. 350 rupees meal. *Stay*: Hotel Sonar Bangla, Aqua Marine Drive Inn. 2500 to 6000 rupees. Book ocean facing. *How to reach*: Drive via NH16 + NH116B. Or train to Digha, then 30 min cab. *Time needed*: 1 night is enough. 2 nights if you want to do nothing. *Pro tip*: Avoid peak winter weekends. Prices triple. Monsoon is rough sea but empty. *Skip*: Tajpur nearby. Overhyped, dirty now.

*2. Shantiniketan: Tagore’s Town, Baul Songs, and Red Soil*

*Do this*: 1. *Visva Bharati Campus*: Tagore’s open air classrooms, Kala Bhavana art, Upasana Griha. 10am to 5pm. Closed Wed. 2. *Sonajhuri Haat*: Saturday only. Forest market. Baul singers, dokra art, kantha sarees, live music. 2pm to 6pm. 3. *Kopai River*: Thin river Tagore wrote about. Sit on banks. *Stay*: Rangamati Garden Resort, Baul Resort. 2000 to 4000 rupees. *How to reach*: Shantiniketan Express from Howrah, 2.5 hours. Or drive NH19. *Time needed*: 1 night, 2 days. *Pro tip*: Go during Poush Mela in December or Basanta Utsav in March. But book 3 months early. Rest of year is calm. *Eat*: Bengali thali at Ranga Matir Gaan or Ram Shyam Village Resort.

*3. Sundarbans: Mangroves, Tigers, and River Silence*

*Why go*: Largest mangrove forest, Royal Bengal Tiger, crocs, 54 islands. UNESCO site. No network, no noise. *Do this*: 1. *Boat safari*: Day trip from Godkhali. Sajnekhali Watch Tower, Sudhanyakhali, Dobanki canopy walk. 8am to 4pm. 2. *Village walk*: Gosaba, Hamilton Bungalow. See how people live with tides. 3. *Night at watchtower*: If you stay in forest. Deer and maybe tiger come to waterhole. *Stay*: Sunderban Tiger Camp, Solitary Nook. 3500 to 7000 rupees with meals + boat. *How to reach*: Train to Canning, 1.5 hours. Then auto to Godkhali 1 hour. Package tours easier. *Time needed*: 1 night, 2 days minimum. *Pro tip*: Oct to March only. Monsoon boats stop. Tiger sighting rare. Go for forest, not guarantee. *Carry*: Odomos, binoculars, light clothes.

*4. Bishnupur: Terracotta Temples and Baluchari Sarees*

*Why go*: 17th century terracotta temples, Malla dynasty, music, silk. Like Hampi but Bengal style. *Do this*: 1. *Rasmancha*: Oldest brick temple. Pyramidal, weird, beautiful. 2. *Jor Bangla + Shyam Rai Temple*: Terracotta panels tell Ramayana. 1000+ scenes. 3. *Baluchari saree weaving*: See looms. Buy direct 4000 rupees up. *Stay*: Bishnupur Tourist Lodge WBTDC. 1800 rupees. Basic but location. *How to reach*: Rupashi Bangla Express from Howrah, 3.5 hours. Or drive NH14. *Time needed*: 1 night. Club with Mukutmanipur if 2 nights. *Pro tip*: Bishnupur Mela in December. Music, crafts, huge.

*5. Mukutmanipur: Dam, Hills, and Boat Ride*

*Distance*: 250km, 5.5 hours. Or club with Bishnupur. *Why go*: Second largest earth dam in India. Kangsabati river, Pareshnath Hill, green water. *Do this*: 1. *Dam walk*: 11km long. Sunset from top. 2. *Boat ride*: To Bonpukuria Deer Park island. 1 hour, 800 rupees boat. 3. *Pareshnath Hill*: 100 steps, Jain temples, view. *Stay*: WBTDC Lodge, Peerless Resort. 2200 to 3500 rupees. *How to reach*: Drive NH14. Train to Bankura, then 2 hours cab. *Time needed*: 1 night if only Mukutmanipur. 2 nights if Bishnupur added. *Pro tip*: Monsoon to winter is best. Summer is dry and hot.

*6. Digha: The OG Beach Weekend*

*Distance*: 185km, 4 hours. *Why go*: Closest sea. Cheap hotels, crowded, fried fish, family vibe. Nostalgia. *Do this*:

*New Digha*: Cleaner, benches, amusements. *Udaipur Beach*: 2km ahead. Quieter, red crabs. *Stay*: Hotel Sea Hawk, Cygnett. 1500 to 4000 rupees. *How to reach*: Tamralipta Express, 3.5 hours. Or drive. *Time needed*: 1 night. *Pro tip*: It’s not Goa. Lower expectations, up the nostalgia. Avoid weekends if you hate crowd. *Eat*: Pomfret fry at any shack. 250 rupees.

*7. Gadiara + Geonkhali: River Meeting Point*

*Distance*: 90km, 2.5 hours. *Why go*: Where Hooghly, Rupnarayan, and Damodar meet. Quiet, boats, fort ruins. *Do this*: *Ferry to Geonkhali*: 10 min. Old Portuguese fort, lighthouse. *Nurpur river trip*: Nearby. Even quieter. *Stay*: WBTDC Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge. 1600 rupees. Book riverside room. *How to reach*: Drive via Kona Expressway. Or train to Bagnan + auto. *Time needed*: 1 night. *Pro tip*: Best for doing nothing. Take books. Network patchy.

Introduction One Perfect Day in Puri: Beach, Temple & Local Flavors Introduction If you're short on time but appetence a regenerative maritime runaway, Puri is one of the best one-day tour list in India. Known for its metaphysical beauty, golden sea beaches, and tasty seafood, Puri offers a perfect blending of relaxation and culture—all within a one day. ________________________________________ 🌅 Morning (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Sunrise & Spiritual Start Start your day morning at Puri sea Beach to catch a quiet sunrise. The cool sea breeze and mushy sea waves set the sound for a peaceful day onwards.• Activity: sea Beach walk, photography, tea stalls • Travel: Local auto from hotel (~₹50–₹100)

• Next Stop: travel Jagannath Temple (approx.10 mins) • Tip: Dress meekly for temple entry sudden breakfast choice nearby comprise local stalls serving poha, chai, and kachori (~₹50–₹100).________________________________________ 🌞 Afternoon (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM): Culture & Coastal Lunch Head towards Konark Sun Temple (about 1–1.5 hours drive).• Travel: Cab or shared taxi (~₹800–₹1500 round tour)