Digha

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Digha (Bengali: দীঘা) is a small but the most popular seaside resort town in the state of West Bengal, India. It lies in East Midnapore district and at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. The British (more specifically Warren Hastings) referred to Digha as the Brighton of the East. It is located just 183 km from Kolkata/Howrah via Mecheda and 234 km via Kharagpur; this proximity to the metropolis has made this small hamlet a popular weekend getaway. Digha is connected to Kolkata/Howrah by a highway and a rail-link via Contai.

Beachfront congestion and a record number of tidal waves are some of the problems plaguing Old Digha

Digha's old wide sea beach doesn't sport a wide beach now due to heavy soil erosion. The beach is held together with big stones and concrete steps. Another problem is the record number of tidal waves that have caused many of the unplanned shacks and smaller hotels to succumb to the sea. Since it is one of very few popular beaches in West Bengal, overcrowding, especially during the cooler winter break, is another problem. A new beach has been developed at New Digha which is about 2 km from the old beach. This new beach is not only bigger than the old one, but might be considered a better one. It is clean and well-maintained and is not surrounded by a congested locality like the older beach. There are new and better hotels a walking distance from the beach at New Digha and the locality itself seems to be better planned. The entire stretch of the Digha seaface from Old Digha to New Digha is filled with casuarina plantations, which looks beautiful. Tourists come here and bath in the sea, stroll by the beach along the casuarina trees and enjoy the sights and scenes offered by this magnificent stretch of sea.

Apart from the sea, there is Asia's largest marine aquarium, a science museum and a beautiful park all on the main road from Old Digha to New Digha. There's also another upcoming sea resort at Shankarpur which is located 10 km from Digha along the coast. Another important spot near Digha is the Shiva temple at Chandaneshwar which is 6 km west of Digha. During the Bengali month of Chaitra, an annual fair is organised here which is attended by people from near and far.

Shankarpur beach is a popular attraction for those seeking to avoid the crowds

1 Getting There
2 Places of Interests
3 Places Around Digha
4 Shopping
5 Wikitravel Digha Guide
6 External links

[edit] Getting There

New train was introduced to attract more tourists at Digha (Shalimar-Digna Express )

[edit] By bus

There is frequent bus service to Digha from Dharamtala 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 all major places like Midnapore, Bankura, Asansol, Howrah, is available.
Bus service is also available from different parts of Orissa.

[edit] By train

Very recently (in 2004) train service have started for Digha. There are daily trains from Shalimar railway station and there are a few trains from Howrah too.
Shalimar-Digna Express
Starting April 2006, there are two trains on Sundays to come back to Kolkata from Digha.

[edit] Local Transport

Taxis, auto-rickshaws, and rickshaws are easily available for local transport.

[edit] Places of Interests

New Digha: Famous for the flat hard beach which stretches for miles.
Old Digha
Talsari Beach
Lord Shiva Temple at Chandaneswar
Marine Aquarium: Asia's largest Marine Aquarium
Science Center
Amravati lake & Park

[edit] Places Around Digha

Junput: It is 40 km away from Digha; famous for fishing.
Shankarpur: Also known as virgin beach, only 14 km east of Digha. It is also a regular fishing harbour. This beach is covered with casuarina plantations.