Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is a small town of 33,000 in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Hoogly, 51km south of Calcutta. It is located at the point where the Ganges River turns south toward the Bay of Bengal. There is a ruined fort here, alleged to date back to Portuguese pirates. This name has been given by the British. The old name was Hajipur. It can be reached by train or bus from Calcutta. Visitors to Ganga Sagara usually pass through Diamond Harbor.

Understand

Diamond Harbour Municipality

The Diamond harbour Fort or Fort of Chingrikhali was built sometimes in 16th Century on the bank of the Holy River Ganges, most probably by the Portuguese or by the French as it was gateway to the Village Calcutta (then), and the capital of Bengal Murshidabad. They came as traders, were allowed to settle or build forts at many places on the banks of the Ganges as it was the main route via bay of bengal. This fort was also one of them, built for the Traders and as Warehouse to store merchandise befor loading on the ships to Europe. They used to come here for Silk, Spices, Muslins and Of course Gold!!!

Kolkata Port Trust is considering construction of cargo handling jetties at Diamond harbour

Get in

It is 48 Km from Kolkata. Regular buses are available from Kolkata. Local trains available from Sealdah Station[2]. India's first ever telegraph line established between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour.

Get around

Van rickshaw, cycle rickshaw, private buses.

See

Lighthouse, Old Portuguese Fort

Do

Sailing in the river; picnic near old Portuguese fort, by the side of river; watch the jetties sail by; see the old church and burial ground; watch sunset.

Buy

Hilsa, Lobster, Crab, fish in season

Eat

Plenty of private hotels and restaurants.

Drink

Green Coconut. It's best to bring your own alcohol.

Sleep

The best address in town to stay for the night is Sagarika Tourist Lodge. About 20 private hotels are also available. Rooms are also available in PWD Inspection bungalow.

*Hotel Hansraj, ☎ +91 33 9681884299. checkin: 9 Noon; checkout: 9 AM. Garden, Children, Swimming Pool, Resturant & Bar, Conference Hall 400-1600.  edit

• The Sagarika Tourist Lodge, ☎ 03174 -255246, 255262, 55246. (A Government of West Bengal Undertaking). You can book a room at the West Bengal Tourist Office in Calcutta. Rs 275 to Rs 650 and dorm beds for Rs 35.  edit
• Hotel Punyalakshmi, ☎ 03174 2551909153432013, 9679205110, [1].  edit
• Hotel Sagar Sangam, Daimond Harbour. checkin: 10 AM; checkout: 10 AM. Well decorated, Marvelous river view from window  edit

Get out

• Bakkhali
• Sagardwip
• Raichak
• Namkhana

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