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Sagardwip |
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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.
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Bakkhali
and Frazerganj |
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It is so near Kolkata and
yet so very different from the bustling metropolis that is Kolkata. Bakkhali is only 132
km from Kolkata. From Kolkata 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 Kolkata) 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.
There are good number of standard and moderate
private hotels.
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