Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour

If you are looking for an exciting, funfilled weekend, head for the spectacular weekend getaway of Diamond Harbor. Earlier known as Hajipur, the old British Port lies at the mouth of the river Hooghly and is a pleasant 48 km drive out of Kolkata. At this beautiful spot, the river Hooghly turns south towards the blue seas of the Bay of Bengal and the river gets deeper and wider, making it ideal for a port. The Port was once a bustling British Port and you will still see large arHocean going vessels docked here. Apart from the natural beauty, there are several amusing diversions to keep you occupied here. One of the chief attractions is the cruises down the River Hooghly. You can book yourself on a river cruise and spend an entire day, just lounging around, doing nothing and soaking in the gentle breeze. An ancient Portuguese Fort called Chingrikhali fort, was said to have been a sanctuary for pirates, hiding from the watchful Portuguese. Today, the remains of the Fort have been beautifully incorporated into a resort, the Radisson Fort. You will also find an old lighthouse here, its very theme a source of great attraction for youngsters. The pilgrim centre of Sharisha Ramakrishna Mission Ashram that is located here is deeply revered by Kolkatans and attracts the devout and the curious. Take a tour of the neighboring township of Joynagar where you will find a small collection of manuscripts and stone images of Buddha, Mahavira and Lord Vishnu. Decent accomodation is available for tourists at a number of private hotels. Its proximity to Kolkata makes this tourist destination an ideal day out picnic spot for city dwellers.