Name: Raichak
Rating: 4.1

Diamond Harbour, Raichak Overview

Situated off the southern coast of Hoogly, Diamond Harbour is a popular weekend getaway situated near the city of Kolkata. This is the very spot where the Ganges takes a turn towards the south to join the Bay of Bengal, and you can witness the confluence of the holy river with its final destination. The serenity and natural beauty of this place is something rare, making it a top pick among locals and tourists. You can sit back and contemplate life as you look over the scintillating stretch of the water ahead or take a leisurely walk around the banks as well. With its unpretentious layout and quaint atmosphere, Diamond Harbour is no less than a blank canvas where you can paint your own adventure.

In addition to being a nature lover's delight, Diamond Harbour has a number of interesting locations close by. It is placed at a point where there is an old fortress which owns its history back to Portuguese pirates. When you are done with the Harbour, you can go around to have a glimpse of the beautiful Bakkhali beach. Then again, there is the town of Joynagar where you shouldn't miss out on Kalidas Dutta's collection of ancient manuscripts, terracotta figurines and black stone images of deities belonging to the 11th and 12th centuries. Tourists can also take a stroll to the Sharisha Ramkrishna Mission Ashram and have a look at its vast expanse. If you are fond of boating, you can take a ferry ride on the Hooghly river or you may take a lounge to Sagar Island or Raichak resort, which is also a good option.

History of Diamond Harbour

The name 'Diamond Harbor' was coined by the Britishers. Earlier known as Hajipur, the harbor was built at the spot where the Holy Ganges takes a turn and moves towards the Bay of Bengal. The river area got deeper and wider as time passed and the spot emerged as the Diamond Harbour. Now , the huge ships can comfortably anchor and dock at the harbor.

Picnic at Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbor is an excellent place which can work as a fabulous picnic spot where you can spend your quality time with your family and children. While you are here, you mustn't miss the view of the natural beauty of the place as it has the upper hand over all the things present here. You can spend your entire day on the banks of Hooghly river, or hop aboard the river cruises that are also available here. There are local boats that take you to a trip around the region, or you can also take a ferry to Haldia. The cost of the same is around INR 50 and makes up for quite an adventure in its own right. On the other hand, there are the remains of a Portuguese fort and a lighthouse that catches the attention of the history lovers and explorers. Earlier, there used to be a stronghold of Portuguese pirates and has many old wives' tales associated with its existance.

Favorable season to visit

Best Time To Visit Diamond Harbour

The ideal time to visit the harbour would be between the months of October and March if you want to really enjoy the lovely autumn season. The weather is also suitable moreover, it is the time of festivals so, it works like a cherry on the cake. The festivals of Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja and Diwali all add more excitement to the trip. And if you visit around January, you may get to attend the Kolkata book fair which is an experience in itself.

How To Reach Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is located at a distance of about 50 kilometres from Kolkata, and it takes 2 hours to reach here from the city. You can take the bus from Howrah and get down at PG. From there you can take another bus to Nurpur or Raichak, and while you're aboard the bus, you will have to ask the conductor to let you down at the stop from where ahead you can get a direct bus/ trekker for Diamond Harbour. Alternately, you can reach Esplanade from Howrah and take a direct bus to Diamond Harbour. You can always hire cabs to reach your destination as well.