Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is a popular weekend destination for tourists. Every year in winter thousands of visitors come here. The sunrise and sunset in the banks of river Hooghly will make you impressed. You can also hire a boat and sail in the river. It will be an unforgettable experience. One can also see the ruins of the Chingrikhali Fort which was built in th 16th century and was earlier inhabited by the Portugese. But the best thing to do in Diamond Harbour is to sit on the banks of the river and watch the passing boats and ships.

Diamond Harbour

How to Reach

You can catch local train from Sealdah (South) and reach Diamond Harbour. It will take about 2 hours. Buses are also running from Esplanade bus terminus to Diamond Harbour.


Accommodation

WBTDC Diamond Harbour Tourist Centre (Sagarika). Tariff - Rs. 600-3000. Tel: 03174-255262.
Ganga Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 500-2000. Tel: 033-23554931.

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Mukutmanipur

Mukutmanipur is a well known weekend tourist spot. Mukutmanipur is located in Bankura district of West Bengal. This place is great both as picnic spot and for staying a few days here. The world's second largest mud dam, green hills, Sonajhuri forest, Kangsabati river and the fresh natural air of Mukutmanipur will refresh your soul and mind. Attractions of Mukutmanipur include Sabuj Dwip, Sabitri Temple and Deer Park. You can also visit Ambikanagar, 6 km from Mukutmanipur. The place hosts a temple dedicated to Goddess Ambika.

Mukutmanipur


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How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah, Santragachi and Shalimar to Bankura. It takes around three and a half hours to reach Bankura by train. Buses are plying from Bankura to Mukutmanipur. You can also get direct buses from Kolkata to reach Mukutmanipur. It takes about 8 hours if you go by bus.


Accommodation

WBFDC Sonajhuri Resort. Tariff - Rs. 1200-4000. Tel: 03423-253356, 9434258767.
Hotel Amrapali. Tariff - Rs. 700-1500. Tel: 9434224674.
Hotel Aparajita. Tariff - Rs. 1500-1800. Tel: 03243-253355.

Jhargram

Jhargram is a small town surrounded by forests in the state of West Bengal. There are forests of Sal, Piyal, Jarul and Mahua surrounding Jhargram. The main resource of Jhargram is jungle and their main conservators are the local tribals. You can disembark at Jhargram station hire a car and see Rajbari, Deer Park, Sabitri Mandir, Rajbandh, Melabandh, Chilkigarh and Garh Shalboni.

Jhargram Palace




How to Reach

Trains are running from Howrah to Jhargram. It takes 2-3 hours to reach Jhargram. You can also get to Jhargram from Kolkata by bus.

Accommodation

WBFDC Jhargram Prokriti Porjoton Kendra. Tariff - Rs. 1500. Tel: 033-22258549.
Hotel Aranyasundari. Tariff - Rs. 650-1500. Tel: 9547308446.
Sriniketan Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 400-600. Tel: 03221-255352.
Dulung Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 500-990. Tel: 03221-255909.
Jasoda Bhawan Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 800-1800. Tel: 03221-258276.
Eshani Guest House. Tariff - Rs. 1000. Tel: 9733736372.
Kaushalya Heritage. Tariff - Rs. 1050-2150. Tel: 9932867447.

Simlipal National Park

Simlipal National Park is one of India's most popular national park. The sanctuary is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Simlipal derived its name from the silk cotton tree, Simul. The National Park is open for visitors from 1st November to 15th June. Simlipal is enriched with dense forests, green meadows, mind blowing waterfalls and awe inspiring rivers. There are two stunning waterfalls in this forest - Jaranda and Barheipani which attract nature lovers. You can get permits for entering the forest from the Assistant Conservator of Forest, Simlipal National Park, Dist. Mayurbhanj, Joshipur -757002. Tel: 06792-252593. Extra charges are levied for car and camera. The park remains open from 6 am to 2 pm.

Simlipal National Park

How to Reach

You can reach Balasore by train and from there you can get bus to get to Baripada or Jashipur. Simlipal National Park has two main gateways - Baripada on the East and Jashipur on the West. Buses are also running from Kolkata to Jashipur. Distance from Kolkata to Simlipal is 191 km.


Accommodation

Toshali Jungle Lodge. Tel: 9937003223.
Panthanivas Baripada. Tariff - Rs. 1300.
Several other accommodation facilities including forest rest house and tourist cottages are available.
For booking contact: Deputy Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Baripada. Tel: 06792-259126.

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Maithon

Maithon is the largest water reservoir of the Damodar Valley Corporation. The dam is located at the confluence of the Damodar and Barakar rivers in the border of West Bengal and Jharkhand. The place is surrounded by hills, forests and small islets. One needs to take permission to see the Maithon Hydroelectric Power Project.

Maithon Dam




Sightseeing and Activities

A colossal water body known popularly as the Maithan Lake was created as a result of the dam constructed by the Damodar Valley Corporation. Maithon lies at the confluence of Damodar and Barakor River. You can enjoy boating in the placid waters of the lake or just sit on the bank and savour the endless beauty of the place. There is a deer park and a bird sanctuary. During winter many migratory birds are seen in this sanctuary.

You can also visit Ma Kalyaneswari Temple which is situated in Hangla Pahar, 2.5 km from the dam. This temple is around 500 years old. The surrounding villages of Maithon are also beautiful. Panchet Dam is located 14 km from here and is worth seeing. You can also visit Garpanchkot by car.

Best Time to Visit

The beauty and charm of Maithon is best enjoyed during the months of August to January.

How to Reach

Trains are available from Howrah to reach Kumardubi or Asansol. From Howrah, it takes approximately 4 hours to reach Kumardubi and 3 hours to reach Asansol. Maithon is 6 km from Kumardubi. Auto rickshaws are plying in this route. If you disembark at Asansol then you will get bus to reach Maithon. It takes about half an hour to reach Maithon, 24 km from Asansol.



Accommodation

WBTDC Maithon Tourist Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 1500-2250. Tel: 0341-2523894, 9732100840.
DVC Majumder Nivas. Tariff - Rs. 1200-1500. Tel: 033-23550683.
Hotel Maithon. Tariff - Rs. 600-1200. Tel: 0341-2521405.
Hotel Shantinivas. Tariff - Rs. 700-1950. Tel: 9007486005.
Asha Resorts. Tariff - Rs. 500-1000. Tel: 0341-2100568.

Nearby Places

Garpanchkot

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Bakkhali

Bakkhali is a popular tourist spot. It is located at a distance of 130 km from Kolkata. The high rolling waves, pine forests, red crabs all make Bakkhali an ideal spot for weekend tour. You can see Crocodile Project and Deer park. Some of the other sightseeings near Bakkhali are Henry's Island, Jambu Dwip, Sagar Island and Fraserganj. The town of Fraserganj is named after Andrew Fraser who in the 1900s tried to build the area into a resort but he couldn’t do that as the waves frequently washed the constructions.

Bakkhali Beach

How to Reach

You can board Namkhana local from Sealdah and reach Namkhana. It takes about 3 hours to reach Namkhana from Sealdah. At Namkhana you have to cross a river and then you can get bus or trekker to reach Bakkhali, 25 km from there.



Accommodation

Bakkhali Tourist Lodge. Tariff: Rs. 1900. Tel: 9732510150.
Hotel Dolphin. Tariff: Rs. 900-3500. Tel: 9830340357.
Hotel Deepak. Tariff: Rs. 900-2200. Tel: 033-24640081, 24633203.
Hotel Amarabati. Tariff: Rs. 1200-4000. Tel: 9732619340.
Hotel Dibney. Tariff: Rs. 1300-2000. Tel: 9836252676.
Hotel Inodoy. Tariff: Rs. 1300-2500. Tel: 9073960995, 9831799994.

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Bakreshwar

Bakreshwar is a Shaktipith. It is said that the eye brows of Sati had fallen in this place. Many people come here to bath in the hotsprings. There are a total of 10 hotsprings here. The temperatures of these hotsprings are in the range of 63 to 80 degree Celsius. The hottest of these springs is Agnikund (temperature around 80 degree Celsius).

Hot Spring at Bakreshwar

How to Reach

Bakreshwar is located 200 km from Kolkata. You can reach there by road directly. Or you can reach Bolpur by train and then from Jamboni bus stand you can get bus which will take you to Bakreshwar. Bakreshwar bound buses leave Jamboni bus stand every half an hour from 5:10 am to 03:10 pm. You can also board the Mayurakshi Fast Passenger and reach Dubrajpur. From there you can get bus or car and reach Bakreshwar.


Accommodation

Bakreshwar Youth Hostel. Tariff - Rs. 250-800. Tel: 033-22480626.
Hotel Bakreshwar Inn. Tariff - 1000-1200. Tel: 9933150016.
Hotel Madhabi Aloy. Tariff - Rs. 1000-2500. Tel: 03462-274264.
Bakreshwar Lodge. Tariff - Rs. 500-1200. Tel: 03462-274212.

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