Digha

Digha is West Bengal's most popular sea resort. It is located 187 KM south west of Kolkata. Digha has a low gradient with a shallow sand beach extending upto 7KM in length and has gentle rolling waves. The scenic beauty of this place is charming and alluring. The beach is girdled with Casuarina plantations along the coast enhancing its beauty. These trees apart from beautifying also aid in reducing erosion of the dunes. One can view both sunrise and sunset at the Digha sea beach. The sunset and sunrise reflecting the salty waters of the Bay of Bengal is something straight off an artist's canvas.

The sea at Digha is calm and shallow for about a mile from the beach making it quite safe for swimming. Digha, originally known as Beerkul during Warren Hasting's time was discovered in the late 18th century by the British. It is mentioned as the ‘Brighton of the East' in one of Hastings' letters (1780AD) to his wife.

In 1923, an English tourist named John Frank Smith was charmed by the beauty of Digha and started living here.His writings about Digha slowly gave exposure to this place. After independence, he convinced Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who was the erstwhile chief minister of West Bengal to develop Digha as a beach resort.

How to Reach

Digha is accessible from Kolkata by road and by train.

Bus Service: There is frequent bus service to Digha from Dharmatala bus stand of Kolkata and many other parts of West Bengal. It is almost a 5 hour journey from Kolkata. Bus service is also available from towns across West Bengal such as Midnapore, Bankura, Asansol, Bardhaman, Howrah, and, also from Orissa via Balasore (Baleswar).

Train Service: In 2004, train services have started for Digha (Station Code : DGHA). There is one DMU service from Santragachhi railway station and there are three new trains from Howrah Station too. Howrah - Digha Superfast Tamralipta Express (12857 UP) departs from Howrah at 06:40 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 10:05 hrs. Return train (12858 DN) Digha station at 10:25 hrs to arrive Howrah at 13:50 hrs. Local Transport: Un-metered taxis, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are easily available for transport.

Digha - Attractions & Activities

The Marine Aquarium and Research Centre (MARC)
The Marine Aquarium and Research Centre (MARC) was established in the year 1989 during the Seventh Five Year Plan. The major objective of the Centre is to display the marine biodiversity of the region and impart its values to the common people and to carry out the research activities. MARC has largest inbuilt marine aquarium in the country and equipped with sea water circulation system and advanced filtration unit. The aquarium has 24 big sized (15x10x10') marine tanks and 8 fresh water (3x2x2') tanks which are equipped with compressed air supply, light and regulated supply of inflow & outflow of water. Hundreds of visitors make it a point to view the Aquarium every day. The aquarium is opened to public on all working days from 9.3 0 A.M. to 6 P. M.

Amravati Lake

This is a small park with a lake called Amravati, where you can enjoy a boat ride. Near the lake is a Snake Farm, which is an added attraction.

Lord Shiva Temple At Chandaneswar
Only 8 km away from Digha the century old Temple of Lord Shiva at Chandaneswar,near Bengal and Orissa Border.Nearly half million people & pilgrims visit the temple at Maha Vishuva Sankranti or Gajan Mela : towards the end of Chaitra.

Subarnarekha River

The Subarnarekha River drains into the Bay of Bengal, only 12 km away from Digha, located in Orissa-Bengal border. This is a new destination for Digha tourists.