Diamond Harbour is a small town of 42,000 (2011) in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal in India.
Understand
It is on the banks of the river Hoogly, 60 km south of Calcutta, 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. Its old name was Hajipur; the present name has been given by the British. Visitors to Ganga Sagara usually pass through Diamond Harbor.
The Diamond Harbour Fort, or Fort of Chingrikhali, was built sometimes in the 16th century on the bank of the holy river Ganges, most probably by the Portuguese or by the French, as a gateway to the (then) village of Calcutta and the capital of Bengal, Murshidabad. They came as traders, and were allowed to settle or build forts at many places on their main route. This fort was one of them, built for the traders as warehouse to store merchandise befor loading on the ships to Europe. They used to come here for silk, spices, and of course, gold.
Kolkata Port Trust is considering construction of cargo handling jetties at Diamond harbour.
Get in
It is 60 km from Kolkata.
By bus
Regular buses are available from Kolkata. Bus from Esplanade, Dharmatala-Private Bus-SD 18, SD 19, STAGov. Bus- Ramganga, Bakkhali
By rail
Local trains available from Sealdah Station, south to Diamond Harbour.
Get around
Van rickshaw, cycle rickshaw, private buses.
See
Lighthouse, Old Portuguese Fort, Museum, Navy Camp
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.
- Ganga (Benfish Tourist Lodge), ☏ 91 3210-225225.
- Hotel Hansraj, ☏ 91 33 9681884299. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 9 AM. Garden, child-friendly, swimming pool, restaurant & bar, Ccnference hall. ₹400-1600.
- Hotel Punyalakshmi, ☏ 91 3174 2551909153432013.
- The Sagarika Tourist Lodge, ☏ 91 3174-255246. (A Government of West Bengal Undertaking). You can book a room at the West Bengal Tourist Office in Calcutta. ₹275 to ₹650 and dorm beds for ₹35.