Digha

A shallow sand beach extending to 7km

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 up to 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 there. His writings about Digha slowly gave exposure to this place. After independence, he convinced Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, then chief minister of West Bengal, to develop Digha as a beach resort.

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 research activities. MARC has largest inbuilt marine aquarium in the country and is 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 and outflow of water. Hundreds of visitors make it a point to view the Aquarium every day. The aquarium is open to public on all working days from 9.30 am to 6 pm.

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 is the century old Temple of Lord Shiva at Chandaneswar, near Bengal and Orissa Border. Nearly half million people and 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.

Nearby Places

Udaipur
This is a spectacular beach, almost virgin, 2 km west of Digha, on West Bengal Orissa Border. One part of this clandestine beach is in West Bengal and the other in Orissa. One enters this beach just walking or driving along Bengal-Orissa border. This beach has not been explored so far. The beach has some USPs which have to be experienced to be believed.

Talasari
The name Talasari is derived from the two words Tala (meaning Palm) and Sari/Sarani (meaning row). The palm trees surrounding the place give such a name to it. Talasari is one of the less exploited West Bengal beaches. It is located close to both the Subarnarekha River and the sea. It is some 6 km from Digha, near the Orissa-Bengal border and is a small delta.

Mandarmani

Mandarmani is a large and rapidly developing seaside resort village in
East Midnapore district and at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. Mandarmani is connected to Kolkata/Howrah by a highway. From Contai this can be traveled through a place called Chaulkhola.

Junput
Junput is 40 km. from Digha by bus, with a change at Contai. The place offers beautiful sea-view and lines of casuarina trees. The beach is unspoilt. Brackish water fish cultivation and research are done here by the State Government Fisheries Department. After independence, Junput was overlooked for development as a beach resort, Digha being chosen instead.

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 started for Digha.