Surroundings of Kolkata

Surroundings of Kolkata – one day trip:

After your tryst with the city, proceed along the Hooghly to experience the myriad charms of the settlements along the river.

Northwards, 8 km away, is the Botanical Garden, at Shibpur. Enjoy the 110 hectare freedom of space filled with rare trees and orchids.

The beautiful Dakshineswar Kali Temple is 10 km away. Across the river is Belur Math, headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission. Join in with the devotees to watch the evening aarti (light ceremony).

5 km further is the interesting waterfront of Serampore, originally a Danish colony. Across the river is the old British settlement of Barrackpore.

The strand at Chandannagore, 39 km, is enchanting. You can also visit the Clock Tower, among many other heritage buildings. The Octagonal Dutch Church and settlement is at Chinsurah, 45 km away. The Portugese settlement at Satgaon and Hooghly was founded in 1577 and stormed by Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor, in 1632. The Hooghly Imambara and the Portugese monastery and church at Bandel, 48 km away, are places worth visiting.

The Hanseshwari temple with unusual carvings and unique structure and the Basudeva temple located at Bansberia, is 47 km away.

South along the banks of the Hooghly, is the holiday resort at Raichak and 48 km away is Diamond Harbour, where the Hooghly flows into the Bay of Bengal.

Places like Gadiara, Garchumuk, Geokhali, Panitras, Antpur, Mayapur, Haldia and Barrackpur are also the attractive places where you can find the different kinds of historic elements.

Sunderbans - Situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, 22.000 N-89.000 E, is this world's largest delta covered by mangrove forest and vast saline mud flats. The Tiger Reserve covering an area of 2585 sq. km. has one of the largest tiger population of any of the Indian parks, 269 Royal Bengal Tigers.

You can access all these places by rail and road, but a ferry ride will make it an unforgettable experience.