Drive just 50 from Kolkata to find a rural idyll
Talk about a perfect weekend rural getaway, and Babur Haat is perhaps not top of the mind recall for most people. Located just about 50 km east of Kolkata on the Basanti Highway in North 24 Parganas district, this quaint village is nonetheless an idyllic retreat known for its village life, innumerable and large fishing lakes, and ‘bheri’ or pisciculture tanks.
The lakes cover extensive areas of the village, and are looked after by local farmers who organically cultivate and breed different species of Bengal fish. You can visit neighbourhood farmlands where the locals grow vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, potato and okra. You can also get a taste of local culture by visiting a typical mud house, the temple, and village market.
Nature walks along village paths and lanes, bird watching, fishing and boating are some of the leisure activities on offer at Babur Haat. You can plan exciting fishing trips with family and friends and enjoy angling all day. You can also go for short picnics to local village grounds and mango orchards. The open fields offer excellent space for outdoor games like cricket and badminton.
For those who love solitude, you can walk along the paths that wind their way through the bheris, surrounded by vast stretches of water. Among other nearby attractions is Malancha village, just about 15 km from Babur Haat. Famous for its huge fish markets, some of the biggest in Bengal, Malancha is located at the confluence of two beautiful rivers, the Icchamati and the Vidyadhari, and offers a great sunset view.
The best time to visit Babur Haat is during winter and early summer, and there are a couple of local resorts where you can stay. However, you could just as easily make a day trip from Kolkata.
Bengal Beckons 