Excursions

Also known as Sagardwip, is at the mouth of the Hooghly. This island is considered to be the point where the Ganges joins the sea. In mid-January, a great three-day bathing festival takes place here. A lighthouse marks the south-west tip of the island.

Diamond Harbour

It is located 51 km south of Calcutta, by road. It is at the point where the Hooghly turns south and flows into the open sea. Launches run from here to Sagar Island. People visit this place to see all the ships anchored here.

Bakkhali

Is also known as Fraserganj, is a beach resort, 132 km from Calcutta. From here you can get boats to the small island of Jambu Dwip to the south west.

Serampore and Barrackpore

This twin city is 25 km from Calcutta on the Hooghly River. Serampore was a Danish center until their holdings in India were transferred to the East India Company in 1845. The city still has the old Danish Church and Cemetery. Across the river is Barrackpore. A few dilapidated buildings are all that are left of the East India Company's Cantonment here. Barrackpore is involved with many of the episodes of India's freedom struggle.

Mahesh

It is 3 km from Serampore. It has a large and very old Jaganath Temple. In June/July of each year the Mahesh Yatra takes place here. It is second in size only to the great Car Festival of Jagannath at Puri, Orissa.

Chandannagore

It was one of the French enclaves in India which were handed over at the same time as Pondicherry in 1951. It has many old buildings dating from the French era. The French settled here in 1673 and the place later became an important trading post.

Hooghly & Satgaon

Is 41 km north of Calcutta. Hooghly was an important trading port long before Calcutta rose to prominence. In 1537, the Portuguese set up a factory here. Satgaon was previously the main port of Bengal but was abandoned due to the silting up of the river. The East India Company also set up a factory here in 1651. The Imambara, built in 1836, with its gateway flanked by lofty minarets.

Chinsura

It is only about a kilometer from Hooghly and was under the Dutch hold. They exchanged Chinsura with the British for the British held Indonesian island of Sumatra in 1825. There is a fort and the Dutch Cemetery, with many old tombs.

Bandel

It is a couple of km north of Hooghly, and 43 km from Calcutta. It was the site of a Portuguese church and monastery which were built here in 1599. It was destroyed by Shah Jahan in 1640 and was re-built later.

Bansberia

It is about 4 km north of Bandel. It has the Vasudev Temple, with interesting terracotta wall carvings and the Hanseswari Temple.

Vishnupur

Also spelt Bishnupur, is a interesting town of terracotta temples and also a center of cultural activity. It was the center of the Malla kings and flourished under their rule during 16th to the early 19th centuries. The area lacks any stone resource, and the traditional building material for important buildings was brick. The facades of the dozen or so temples here are covered with ornate terracotta tiles depicting lively scenes from the Hindu epics. The main temples to see are the highly decorated Jor Bangla, the large Madan Mohan, the pyramidal Ras Mancha and the Shyam Rai. These were built in 1643. It is located in Bankura district, famous for its pottery, particularly the stylised Bankura horse and silk. The handicrafts include metal work, tussar silk, Baluchari saris and conch shell jewellery. In August, the Japan Festival draws snake charmers to honour the Goddess Manasa who is central to the cult of snake worship.

Nabadwip

It is 114 km north of Calcutta and is also known as Nadia. The last Hindu king of Bengal, Lakshman Sen, moved his capital here from Gaur. It has many temples and considered a big pilgrimage center.

Mayapur

It is across the river from Nabadwip. It is a center for ISKCON movement. There is a large new temple and garden. Accommodation is available in the ISKCON guest house.

Plassey

Also known as Palasi is 172 km from Calcutta. It was the site where Clive defeated Siraj-Ud-Daula and this French supporters in 1757. It was the turning point in British influence in India. There is a 15 m memorial , a couple of km west of the village.

Barhampore

It is a major center for silk production. You can visit the Government Silk Research Centre here. In the old bazaar area of Khagra, in the northern part of Barhampore, there are some dilapidated mansions of European traders.

Sundarbans Tiger Reserve

The name Sundarban has been derived form Sundari Trees which predominates here. The trees are peculiar to have pneumatophoric roots. The mangrove swamps and riverine forests cover over 2,500 sq km in the Ganga delta and spread across to Bangladesh. They are said to be the largest estuarine forests in the world. The biosphere reserve still preserves the natural habitat of about 200 Royal Bengal Tigers which are strong swimmers and are bigger and richer in colour than elsewhere in the south Asia. The other wild life include spotted deer, wild boar, monkeys, snakes, fishing cats, water monitors, Olive Ridley sea turtles and large estuarine crocodiles.