Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

I have heard of Monchasa before and willing to visit too... but I've not heard of Antyodoy Anath Ashram. It's nice to think that with a happy tour to this beautiful place, we have to do something for the orphanage too. Please provide contact nos. and route directions too.


Your Bakkhali and freserganj pictures are also nice. We've an obsession with Bakkhali and we used to visit it twice a year at least...

By the way, does anybody know whether Khorlo Tours & Travels are associated with the Monchasa Project and if so, in what capacity? Thanks.

@ sarkar9057

Your trip account together with pics on Bakkhali & Henry Island is very nice. Waiting in the Que at Namkhana Jetty is a dampener. This delay has to be cut down to increase tourist inflow to the island.

You can visit http://www.monchasha.com/ for further details, though I have also not been to there, but planning to go there. Maybe in monsoon or winter.

Thank you.

Thank you "asishdas".

Rs. 3000/= for lodging only for a couple. Is it not tooo costly?

The snaps of Monchasa is very nice.

The report of your Bakkhali trip is excellent alongwith the pictures.In spite of repeated visit to Bakkhali, I read your report line by line.Its very good.

Thank you "soumiksett"

@sarkar9057
Nice trip report. Vessel part of going Bakkhali is really frustrating. Came to know from the local hotel owner last time that Govt. is going to construct one bridge on that river. Have you seen any progress on that?

Thank you Mr.Biswas.

I didn't see any progress of the bridge. What I came to know that, the bridge has to be constructed such a way that ships and steamers can pass, it has to be a hydraulics bridge like our Khidiepur Dock and it costs a lot, so decision is still pending.

Actually somnathda, many Indian and Bangladeshi ships use this creek... it is narrow but deep enough to carry those.... so to keep this passage smooth for those ships, a very high bridge is required there... which is costly and needs enough space both side to build.

Last year (?), Eastern railway proposed for a rail-bridge on Hatania-Doania to join Bakkhali with Sealdah, but I don't think it'd be materialised.


Before this special type of ferry for carrying cars/buses (locals call it 'barge'), Bakkhali was not accessible by own car, we had to cross Hatania-Doania by small boat with local passengers with their goods, Goats, cycles etc. etc. They do it even now, when the barge is not available. The charge was incredibly low, even now I think, it's 50 paise (As no lower value coin is functioning now!!!)

Bakkhali came to spotlight and flourished after setting up of this special ferry... buses from Kolkata to bakkhali runs directly now-a-days... hotels and hotels are there now-a-days.

Once there was only Govt. accommodation (Tourism, Forest and Labour Deptt.) and two private hotels with some huts for tea, breakfast, meal etc. The sea beach was a bit muddy but the green casuarina jungle on the beach was loving!!!

My first visit to Bakkhali is in the year of 1988, i can remember that one and only accomodation Govt Tourist Lodge, only 12 rooms there.Outside one small hotel named most probably Rajbala.The sea beach was full of mud,we could not took the bath in the sea.But the main attraction was the jhaw forest and big big sand dunes.On that trip we were 12 members and another family was there consists of four member only.After evening the sea beach became completely dark and no one allowed to get on the beach.It was a nice experience.

Duronto Jajabar
Nice & informative description of Bakkhali. But the rate of barge carrying vehicles is abnormally high. What say?

Yes, somnathda, a bit high!!!

But think of going in private buses from Kolkata, or by Train to Namkhana Rail station, then by van-rickshaw to jetty.... all with your luggage and with daily passengers ... then by boat/ barge to other side of Hatania-Doania, then the horrible trekker/bus journey to Bakkhali.

The only disgusting experience related to Bakkhali was of the last bus-journey we had in the early days... Ops!!!

We are now so happy with the barge, somnathda, really.

Brilliantly described, DJ. Straight from the childhood.

Great to hear your experience. I'd say the NH117 (I guess) connecting Calcutta to Namkhana is not really upto the mark and often crowded at regular intervals.

Anyways here's an old picture taken at Bakkhali.



Hope you guys like it.

KEEP TRAVELING !!!

I have been to Digha, Mondarmani, Tajpur more than I can count... and Digha is becoming ridiculously expensive.. I have been to Bakkhali 3 - 4 times before.. however, this time I went after 2 years and I just loved it and a great substitute for Digha, Mondarmani, Tajpur..

I stay in Behala so it is just 2.5 - 3 hours journey.. I started early at 5 am so reached Henry Island around 8 am (first time to Henry Island). The way to Beach was completely Muddy and we had to take almost a Mud Bath to reach the Beach, however, I was determind to see the virgin beach and guess what.. I have never see such lonely virgin empty beach before.. there were only 2 human being on that beach (Me and My Wife), I did not pack for such a wonderful unexpected surprise so close to my home.. else its a perfect place to take a couple of beer and a KFC chicken Bucket with you and spend 3 - 4 hours there..











Anyways, we stayed there for an hour or so and left for Bakkhali as our hotel was not booked.. 1st I went to WBTDC.. bad Luck no rooms, then we went to Bay View Tourist Lodge (98306135942 - Sukamal Hazra) Got a room A/C for 1445/- Per day.. good clean rooms, ordered Lunch there and went out to the Beach..

There are 100s of Big Umbrella and chairs for Rs. 30/- per hour (one Umbrella and 4 chairs).. we spent an hour and back to hotel for Lunch and took 2 - 3 hours rest.. Seabeach is always beautiful in Dawn or Dust.. around 5 PM went out to Frazerganj... spent 3 - 4 hours there..







Around 7 Pm took a walk on the beach to Bakkhali Beach (10 mins walk).. There we saw an amazing thing.. a big ring around Moon.. I thought it was something unique.. then learnt from internet its pretty common.. I saw it first time..



Next day (Sunday) I got up early at 4:45 am to capture the Sunrise, the hotel guys were refusing to open the gate before 6 am, however, I requested them and they did open it.. and believe me it was the best thing happened to me this weekend.. the entire beach was like a big mirror, I was the only person on the beach that time.. check these snaps.. I kept taking photos as I have never seen such beautiful reflections before..











Spent around 3 hours there taking lots of snaps.. came back to get my wife and again to the beach.. the best part is the sea is not that violent like Digha.. if you walk 100 yards in.. you will be in neck line deep.. but behind you is a sand bank another 200 yard very less waves.. perfect for swimming.. I was in playing with mighty Sea for 2 hours.. went back around 10:30.. packed and left for home.. reached home in 2.5 hours..

NH 117 is awesome silky smooth, its narrow, however, if you start early or late afternoon you will not find much traffic, only thing is in early Morning you will get a Traffic Jam near Amtala so be prepared to get a 10 - 20 mins delay there and make sure you reach the Namkhana Jetty before 12pm or after 2pm.. (12 - 2 is there lunch time and you have to wait if you reach there within that time) The transfer is only 3 - 5 mins, cost Rs. 160 one way and while going to Bakkhali there is a Rs. 30 Toll tax.

In the evening Bakkhali Beach is full of tourist lights, Jalmuri wala and lots more.. till 9 - 10 pm..













Pretty Safe I would say.. 90% of the crowed were families and enough Police petrol.. I am again going to Bakkhali tomorrow for this weekend..

Go there and Have Fun

WBTDC - http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/
Bakkhali PHoe: 9733510150 and (03210) 211260

Thanks!