Thursday, December 29, 2011

Digha


Digha (Bengali: দীঘা) is a sea-side resort town in the state of West Bengl, India.It lies in East Midnapore districtand at the northern end of Bay of Bengal. It is the most popular sea resort in West Bengal.Renowned for its beaches,Digha is visited by thousand of visitors every year.
It is located 183 kms. from Kolkata/Howrah via Mecheda and 234 kms from Kharagpur, this proximity has probably helped this small hamlet to emerge as a popular weekend gateway with number of good hotels and lodges.

Area

Digha's old beach is one of very few popular beaches in West Bengal , its get over-crowded, especially,during cool winter break.

A new beach has been developed at NEW DIGHA which is about 2 kms. from the old beach.This new beach is not only bigger than the old one but might be considered as a better one.

The entire stretch of Digha sea-face from Old Digha to New Digha is filled with casauarina plantations which looks beautiful.Tourists come here,bath in sea, stroll by the beach along the casaurina trees and enjoy the sights and scenes offered by this magnificient stretch of sea.

There's also an upcoming sea resort at SHANKARPUR, which is located 10 kms from Digha , along the coast. Another important spot near Dighahiva temple at Chandaneshwar which is 6 km west of Digha. During the Bengali month of Chaitra, a popular annual fair is organised here.

Nearby places of interest


Udaipur: This is a spectacular beach, almost virgin, 2 km west of Digha, in West Bengal Orissa Border. One part of this clandestine beach is in West Bengal and the other in Orissa. One enters this beach just walking or driving along Bengal-Orissa border. Opart of this clandestine beach is in West Bengal and the other in Orissa. One enters this beach just walking or driving along Bengal-Orissa border. This beach has not been explored so far. The beach has some USPs which have to be experienced to be believed. The vegetation, typical of slopes in Eastern Ghats and the great Casuarina atmosphere, makes this beach, a one of a kind experience. The nearby delta, where the mighty Subarnarekha merges into the Bay of Bengal, is an additional attraction.

The Marine Aquarium and Research Centre (MARC) was established in the year 1989 during the Seventh Five Year Plan. The major objective of the Centre is to display the marine biodiversity of the region and impart its values to the common people and to carryout the research activities.
MARC has largest inbuilt marine aquarium in the country and equipped with sea water circulation system and advanced filtration unit. The aquarium has 24 big sized (15x10x10’) marine tanks and 8 fresh water (3x2x2’) tanks which are equipped with compressed air supply, light and regulated supply of inflow & outflow of water.
Hundreds of visitors make it a point to view the Aquarium every day. The aquarium is opened to public on all working days from 9.3 0 A.M. to 6 P. M.

Lord Shiva Temple At Chandeneswar:Only 8 km away from Digha the century old Temple of Lord Shiva at Chandenswar,near Bengal and Orissa Border.Nearly half million people & pilgrims visit the temple at Maha Vishuva Sankranti orGajan Mela : towards the end of Chaitra.

  • Junput: It is 40 km away from Digha; famous for fishing.

Shankarpur: Also known as virgin beach, only 14 km east of Digha. It is also a regular fishing harbour. This beach is mostly empty except on weekends. The mornings are cool, when fishermen can be seen hauling their huge nets out of the sea. The morning sun reflecting on the sea waves in the east, and the local fish-boats on the coast offer excellent photographic opportunities.

Subarnarekha River: The salty place where Subarnarekha River draining into Bay of Bengal, only 12 km away from Digha, located in Orissa-Bengal border. This is a new destination for Digha tourists.

Talsari: A small delta on Bay of Bengal, only 6 km away from Digha, located on Bengal-Orissa border. A quiet place, close to both sea and Subarnarekha river.

Mandarmani: IT is a small virgin beach on Bay of Bengal, only a few km from Digha. It is also a small fishing harbour and a fast developing tourist resort.



Transport


By bus

Digha is a 4-5 hour journey by bus from Kolkata.

There are regular and frequent services to Digha from the Bus Terminus (Route 6) in the Garia suburb of Kolkata. Buses run from 4AM to 8.30AM and there is a afternoon bus service from the same state transport depot. Service is regular and residents from Jadavpur, Tollygunj, Rajpur, Sonarpur can easily use the good service.

There are also frequent bus services to Digha from Dharamtala bus stand of Kolkata and many other parts of West Bengal.

There is bus service from Kudghat Bus Stand with two buses daily at 6AM and 8.30AM. There is also service from Dumdum station. The bus leaves Dumdum at 7AM. 2 buses by CSTC from the bus stand near Ruby General Hospital start at 4:30AM and 4:45AM daily. There is bus service from Barrackpore at 6AM and 7.30AM. There is also frequent bus service from Howrah (Suburb of Kolkata) with buses leaving almost the whole day every 30 minutes or so.


By train

It is advisable to make reservations in advance for weekends and national holidays.

  • Three trains run daily from Howrah Railway Station at 6.40am (Tamralipta Express), 11.15am (Duranta Express) and 2.40am (Kandari Express) daily. Sometimes special trains are announced on special occasions and holidays. Notice for such trains come on widely circulated newspapers. Journey by Duront Exp (12847) leaving Howrah at 11.15 can be of great experience. The returning times are 10.25am, 1.35 pm and 6.20pm respectively.
  • On saturday, There is paharia express which comes from new jalpaiguri and halts at Howrah. This train remains quit empty and very comfortable to travel.
  • There is a Local train from Shalimar (Near Howrah) to Digha though the timing is not good. Also there may be some special train.

Sleep

Hotel Sea Hawk. One of the few places in town that doesn't hike up their prices as demand increases. Food is good and room services standard. From Rs 400 for a ground-floor sea-facing double up to Rs 1,500 for an A/C double bed.

Hotel Sea Coast. Barrester colony old Digha, +919331996392, . checkin: 12 Noon; checkout: 11.45AM. Conference room, centralised A/C, bar & multicuisine restaurant sea facing rooms & family rooms also available. Rs 1,500-2,200.

Hotel Gitanjali. +913220266204. Doubles for Rs 550 and Rs 850. If you are in a group the 4 bed room is Rs 1,000.

The Palm Resort, . Swimming pool, gym, lake, lawns and villas................









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