Diamond Harbour was formerly known as Hajipur
What exactly does one do in Diamond Harbour? You may well ask if you have never been there. As is fairly common with people in general, we often end up ignoring attractions to which we have easy access. And since Diamond Harbour is a mere 50 km from Kolkata, many of us have probably never taken it seriously as a destination. However, take our advice and spend a weekend at this old riverside town. You will come away refreshed and charmed.
Located on the eastern bank of the River Hooghly at the confluence of the river and the Bay of Bengal, Diamond Harbour is a popular weekend destination, and the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation’s Sagarika Tourism Property boasts of the best location of all the accommodation options in the area, with all 36 of its rooms offering a panoramic view of the river.
If you choose to stay at Sagarika, you will have the luxury of lazing around in the spacious balcony attached to your room and gazing at the ships, trawlers and boats entering Kolkata and Haldia ports. The sunset too is spectacular from the rooms.
Located close to the Gangasagar delta, Diamond Harbour was formerly known as Hajipur, and given its present name by the British. It is here that the River Hooghly bends southward on its way to the sea. On the other side of the river is Haldia, to which you can take a ferry, and the road along the huge expanse of sparkling water is worth driving down any day.
Diamond Harbour was an important area for 16th and 17th-century Portuguese river pirates, the ‘harmad’ as they were called in Bengal. Even today, the ruins of Chingrikhali Fort, reportedly built in the 16th century by said pirates, are a must visit whenever you are in the area. Tourists also visit the Sarisha Ramakrishna Mission Ashram. Not to be missed is an old lighthouse, which offers a panoramic view of the entire area. Or you could simply sit on the riverbank and watch the boats. Or have a picnic if you wish, because a more ideal spot for a picnic would be hard to find.
The fully air-conditioned Sagarika has standard and deluxe rooms as well as suites, and the rooms provide absolute calmness and tranquillity, though they are equipped with all modern amenities including free wifi, intercom, TV, electric kettles, and geysers. Sagarika also has a wonderful tavern and an AC restaurant, which serves delicious meals, especially fish.
If you are there for the weekend, you could take in the township of Joynagar, about 15 km away. Joynagar is primarily famous for housing ancient manuscripts and stone idols linked to Lord Mahavira, Lord Buddha and Lord Vishnu. You may also make trips to nearby destinations such as Bakkhali, Raidighi, Gangasagar and Kakdwip.
How to get there
Sagarika Tourism Property is 46 km from Kolkata by road, and about 1.5 hours from Sealdah station by train. Once you get off at Diamond Harbour station, the property is just a three-minute drive away.
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