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Falta
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43 km downriver, was the site of a Dutch factory. The British Retreated here
in 1756 when Kolkata was captured by Siraj-ud-daula. It was also from here that
Clive recaptured Kolkata. just below Falta the Damodar River joins the Hooghly.
The Rupnarain River also joins the Hooghly nearby and a little up this river is Tamluk,
which was an important Buddhist centre over 1000 years ago. The James & Mary
Shoal, the most dangerous on the Hooghly, is just above the point where the
Rupnarain River enters. It takes its name from a ship which was wrecked here in
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Diamond Harbour
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A resort 51km south of
Kolkata by road, Diamond Harbour is at the
point where the Hooghly turns south and flows into the open sea. It can be
reached by bus or train from Kolkata. Launches run from here to Sagar island.
The Sagarika Tourist Lodge can be booked through West
Bengal Tourism in Kolkata.
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Haldia
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The new port of Haldia is 96km south of Kolkata, on the west bank of the
Hooghly. The port was constructed to try to regain the shipping lost from
Kolkata's silting problems. There are regular buses between Kolkata and Haldia.
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Sagar Island (Sagardwip)
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At the mouth of the Hooghly, this island is considered to be the point where
the Ganges joins the sea, and a great three day bathing festival takes place
here in mid-January. A lighthouse marks the south-west tip of the island but
navigation is still difficult for a further 65km south.
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Digha
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 Close to the border with Orissa, 185km south west of Kolkata on the Bay of
Bengal, Digha is another self-styled 'Brighton of the East'. The beach is seven
km long and very wide but if a beach holiday is what you want, carry on south to
Puri or Gapalpur-on-Sea.
There are daily buses between Kolkata and Digha. The
Chandaneshwar Siva Temple is just across the border in Orissa, eight km from
Digha.
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Places to stay
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The Tourist Lodge is run by West Bengal Tourism. Digha has a wide
range of other accommodation, including a youth hostel.
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Travel
Information
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Regular buses ply between
kolkata and Digha. Tourist cabs and luxury
cars can also be hired from Kolkata.
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Shankarpur
Beach
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This pristine, lesser-known beach
lying 10 km from Digha calls you for a quiet vacation. Fringed by casuarina
plantations, this fishing village offers all the pleasures of a private beach.
The best season to visit is from July to March.
Regular buses ply between kolkata and Shankarpur. Tourist cabs and
luxury cars can also be hired from Kolkata.
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Frazerganj
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Head out for a soothing holiday in
the unspoilt environs of this unique white sand beach. 3 hours drive from kolkata,
it is also the summer destination for a variety of migratory birds. All these
beaches are best visited from July to March.
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Travel Information
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Frazerganj is 3 hours drive from
kolkata on very good roads. It is accessible
by buses or taxis and then on a vessel.
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