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Mandarmani

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Mandarmani (or Mandarmoni, Mandarbani) is a beach resort in Southwest Bengal in India.

Beach at Mandarmani
Beach at Mandarmani

[edit] Get in

The only way to reach your resort at the moment
The only way to reach your resort at the moment

The nearest train station is at Contai and the nearest airport is at Kolkata. Note that at the moment there is no proper road for the last 6km into Mandarmani, which forces you to drive along the beach, something that the locals encourage, but has a seriously adverse affect on the local ecology, not to mention the atmosphere of the beaches. But while driving on the beaches you need to follow the driving track or you risk getting caught in loose mud.

[edit] By road

From Kolkata, after crossing the VidyaSagar Setu, take the Kona Expressway. After driving a while turn left to Mumbai Road. Drive till you reach Kolaghat, and turn left toward Digha. 2km before reaching Contai Town you will reach Contai Bypass Road, a shortcut that will again drop you on the Kolkata-Digha road. Drive another 10 km to reach Chawalkhola. Take a left turn from Chawalkhola and follow the village road till it ends at a sea-side village called Dadanpatrabar, around 8km. From Dadanpatrabar take a right turn along a narrow road that runs for another 2-3 Km. At the end of this road, you can either drive straight along the sand or take a right turn again through a narrow village road to reach Mandarmani. The village road is just a soil road with dense vegetation and some population on both sides. There are no lights or any other amenities. This runs for another 3-4 Km. It's best to cover the whole stretch from Chawalkhola to Mandarmani before dark. The total trip from Kolkata is around 3.5 hours.

Distances are as follows: Esplanade - 63km - Kolaghat - 3km - Mecheda - 80km - Contai - 12.3km - Chawalkhola - 4km - Kalindi - 4km - Dadanpatrabar - 6km -Mandarmani - total 166km.

[edit] By bus

From Kolkata, catch a bus at Esplanade or at Howrah headed for Chawalkhola, or any bus headed towards Digha. From Chawlkhola there are cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws which you can take to Dadanpatrabar. From Dadanpatrabar, you can again get some cycle-rickshaws, but it is best to take the transport from Chawalkhola till Mandarmani since transport availability from Dadanpatrabar is very uncertain. State Transport Buses are available cost Rs 76. A number of deluxe coaches run daily, Rs 100-110. Whiteliners is the nicest option, departing Esplanade at 7:30AM, Rs 160. Now (Aug 16th 2009) the whiteliners bus service will charge you 180 with an additional Rs. 5 as resevation charge.

A/C Volvo buses of Royal Cruiser (Joy Dada) are plying from Kolkata to Digha from which one can disembark at Chawalkhola. Leaves IBT at 6:45 AM and Esplanede at 7:45 AM. Ticket price till Digha is Rs 300.

[edit] Get around

You'll most likely be walking between your resort and the beach, however if you need to travel longer distances, avoid the temptation to drive on the beach more than necessary.

Be careful while driving on the beach and try to stick to the central part of the beach while driving. Towards the end of the beach, the sands are soft in places and your car may get stuck in it. Avoid driving on the beach after dark as if you get stuck in the sand dunes, you may not be able to get any local help to pull your vehicle out.

On the beach, there is no electricity and after dark the only sources of light are the lights of the small beach-side shops which get their electricity from generators or batteries. As the evening progresses, the high tide causes the sea to rise. By 7-8 PM the sea takes up almost a quarter of the total width of the beach. So, if you had visited the beach during daytime, be careful as the sea will definitely be nearer in the evening. Better to have a torch with you at all times after dark.

[edit][add listing] See

  • The beach – Most people are here to hang out at the beach. The waves tend to be calm, dotted with a few fisherman going about their daily routine.
  • The Delta – At the end of the beach, there is a 'mohana' (place where a river meets the sea) [Delta]. There are some fishing settlements also nearby. This place is about 5-6 Km from the main part of the beach where most of the hotels/resorts are located. The place is really beautiful with a scenic backdrop. On one side of the river there are dense jhau trees, while on the other side is the fishing village. A bit far from the village on the other bank of the river is some dense vegetation. However, you will not be able to cross over to the other side and go for the forest as it is quite far, though it looks near.

You can see the fishermen standing or wading through knee deep water laying their nets or catching fish and crabs.

Red crabs are visible over a large stretch of the beach near the Mohana.

However, try to avoid this place after dark as it becomes very isolated and you will not find any people, local or outsiders.

[edit][add listing] Do

Relax, swim and enjoy the beach. You are not likely to have many visitors around and that's the beauty of this beach. Activities include fishing, table tennis, carrom, beach cricket, beach volleyball, and boat cruises. Sunbathing is best from October to February. However, this beach is not frequented by foreign tourists and so if you plan to sunbath here, be sure to keep in mind the local culture. Please remember to carry medicines (essential) as there is no nearby shop for fetching the same, in emergency.

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Fresh fish & crabs – sometimes available from the local fishermen.
  • Shells : the small shops dotting the beach also sell small knick-knacks made out of shells and oysters. You can buy shell-necklace and other such stuff. Beach balls, hats, toys, brought from the Kalindi market or Chawalkhola, are also sold.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Most of the resorts serve typical Bengali food and Kolkata-style Chinese cuisine. However, food is a bit costly since most of the items have to be brought from far away Kalindi market. The local raw materials available in the nearby village will not usually serve the requirements of the hotels or resorts.

Also, do not expect very high quality food as the hotels usually employ local people without much expertise as cooks. However, the food is hygienic and generally clean. Crab & Prawn preperations are worth savouring. But negotiate the price

The beach also has a number of small eateries which sell tea, snacks etc. If you want to have meals from here, you have to place an order with the owners, beforehand. These eateries make the food only 'on-demand' as per bookings from customers beforehand and not in advance. However, with these stalls, you may have to compromise on the hygiene. Costs are again on the higher side.

From the eateries you can borrow chairs to sit on the beach.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Green coconut water is sold by the local farmers. You can get a limited variety of alcohol from the shops near the beach, but be sure to dispose of the containers properly rather than littering the beach. Also be informed that the alcohol is exorbitantly costly, and in some cases almost double the normal market price. Beer is @ Rs 80 for a 750 ml bottle / can.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Several resorts are spread along a 6 km stretch of beach:

  • Digante, ☎ +91 90 0760-3406 (), [2]. A mid-priced beach retreat with a private sunbathing beach backed by sand dunes and Jhau plantations. AC rooms available (Charges Extra), 24 hr generator. Durga Puja ceremonies are held at the resort, and Bidisha is the onsite multi-cuisine restaurant. Rs 1000-1300 (NAC).  edit
  • Hotel Sonar Bangla, ☎ +91 033 9836381994. checkin: 12 Noon; checkout: 11.30 AM. All sea facing rooms. 1200-3000.  edit
  • Garden Retreat, (at the endpoint of the main road in Mandarmoni, just on the beach), ☎ +91-9831167537, +91-9831769790, [3]. checkin: 12:00 noon; checkout: 12:00 noon. Eco-friendly beach resort with standard sea-facing and non sea-facing rooms. Restaurant serving delicious Bengali, Chinese and Tandoor dishes. Private beach with imported Korean party-tents and beach-tents. Barbecue and camp-fire on the beach. Doctor on call. Travel assistance is also available. Rs.500-1200 + tax.  edit

  • Hotel Dream Land, ☎ +91 9804090739 (). checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11.30 AM. AC/Non AC Sea View Cottages and Rooms and mlticusine Resturant Rs 1200-2000.  edit
  • Neel Nirjaney, mandarmani, ☎ +91 93318 82883, [4]. checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30 AM. On date laundry service (seasonal). On Call Doctor. Massage Parlour. Swimming Pool. Children's Park. Multi-Cuisine Restaurant (Palki). Car Parking. Car Rental. Sight seeing Facility. Driver accommodation Rs 1000 - 2000+tax.  edit
  • Resort Hirak Jayanti, (Near Garden Retreat Resort), ☎ 033-2286-6969, [5]. checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30 AM. Some sea-facing rooms and some with a/c. Can provide meals to hotel guests only. Rs1000-1800.  edit
  • Rose Valley, ☎ 033-25006470, [6]. checkin: 12 Noon; checkout: 12:30 AM. All rooms have a/c and face the sea. Credit cards are accepted at their Kolkata office, and group rates are available. Boating, garden & a/c conference hall. Breakfast complimentary , drivers stay free or free pick up & drop from Chawalkhola. Rs 4000-6000.  edit
  • Samudra Sakshi Resort, ☎ +91 9143150273, [7]. checkin: 12 Noon; checkout: 11.30 PM. A resort with a small park, good for kids.Renovated with four bed & ac rooms , Resturant Rs 500/600/800/1800.  edit
  • The Sana Beach, (14 KM From Chawalkhola), ☎ +91 3220 217252 (), [8]. checkin: 12.00 noon; checkout: 11.00 AM. "Eco-friendly" beach resort with accommodation options from camping through to suites & Maharaja Tents. All types off food available at restaurant. They've also got the "Village of Bengal" on site, a local artisans' market/workshop, and a private sunbathing area on the beach. Shrimp Cocktail is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Continental food, or Tulshi is their Jain restaurant. They've also got Sourav, a 24 hour cafe, or check out Majlish, the hookah bar. Rs 1650-7400 + tax.  edit
  • Tarangamala Guest House, ☎ +91 99 3297-7184, [9]. checkin: 12 Noon. A basic mid-range hotel with cottages around a lake. 400.  edit
  • Samudra Bilas, mandarmoni sea beach (15 km.from choulkhola), ☎ 033-40078155. checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11.30AM. A village resort consisting of 14 rooms (cottage type)4 of them are 4 bedded, 1,(10 bedded), rest are twin sharing, the resort have 32 bighas of land including ponds, children park, boating, restaurant. Rs.400-1400.  edit
  • Shorelene, ☎ +91 9239572058. checkin: 12Noon; checkout: 11.30AM. Sea Facing & Sea View Rooms , Childrens Play ground , Breakfast Complimentary From Sunday to Thursday , Pickup & Drop from chowlkhola at actual cost , Parking free Rs.800-1500.  edit
  • Resort Dream Hut, mandarmoni sea beach, ☎ 9831417919. checkin: 12:00 Noon; checkout: 11:30 A.M. Resort Dream Hut - A seaside Resort with modern amenities, childens play ground, swimming pool, Multicusine resturant, A/C & Non A/C Rooms with attached bath with T.V & intercom. Rates - 1000/- to 3000/- Contact : 9831417919 /40078155. 1000 - 3000.  edit
  • Masara Beach Resort, ☎ 09903814999, [10]. Built on a natural sand dune with an old English colonial look with similar coloured cottages, brick paths through flower gardens and waterbody. The complete area of the resort are full with coastal trees and bushes. Cottages each have one bedroom with drawing space, dressing unit and attached bath, A/C, decorative interiors, plasma TV and all modern amenities. Rs. 1500 - 3500.  edit
  • Eco Villa Beach Resort, Mandermani, ☎ 9933856580, [11]. checkin: 12pm; checkout: 11am. Newly opened Eco Boutique Resort, having 18 Cottages sea facing with all facilities are needed at beach Resort, Room service, Homely food, Multicuisine food. Ideal for package tour, get together, Picnic, we do arrange DJ nite, Musical evening, etc.Avail Special Holi package starting from-Rs-1500-2000. Car rental assistance, sight seeing tour etc. 1500-2000.  edit

[edit] Stay healthy

Reportedly some resorts dump solid waste into the ocean, which you may want to consider before heading out for a swim.

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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