Any place that presents a perfect picnic spot is considered good, but a place that showcases a better picnic experience together with the option of visiting wonderful places around is considered the best. Yes, you got it right! Today, we are going to discuss the Bandel Town located at the Hooghly District in the Bengal State. It becomes an excellent spot for the picnic activity during the winter as the visitors crowd here not only to watch and witness the popular attractions but to frame those cherished moments digitally in the cameras or in their mobile phones forever. Writing about conveyance, apart from being a major station of the Eastern Railways network, it’s well connected with the neighborhoods by the road, rail, and waterways.
Attractions
Bandel was once popular as the Portuguese colony and the port city. Today, it’s popular as the most sought after weekend destination and picnic spot for the travelers or trippers in the Bengal State. Some of the age old dwelling units and building structures still carry the magical touches of the then era. The Grand Trunk Road runs through the center of the city while the Hooghly River flows beside it. It’s not easy to pen down the History and attractions of the city in a few paragraphs. The four hundred years old long history reveals the names of numerous great souls who prospered in the region and did such noble deeds that are appreciated by people even today.
Until today people talk about these great personalities and love to hear the numerous folk tales associated the place. Nevertheless, it’s the Basilica of the Holy Rosary or the Bandel Church that rules the countless heart. This Roman Catholic Church is popularly known as the Bandel Church and it’s one of the main attractions of the city. It’s also one of the oldest churches in the Bengal State. The church was built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century and understandably, the yesteryear's Portuguese settlement is today’s popular destination and picnic spot in the Hooghly district. It provides the unique opportunity for the picnic activity at the Hooghly Riverbank in a green surrounding. However, before coming here for the picnic activity, one must make sure to carry along all the materials required for the activity.
Apart from enjoying the picnic activity at the Hooghly River bank and visiting the Bandel Church, visitors may trip to the Hooghly Imambara as well located two kilometers away. The religious structure built by the great humanitarian, Hazi Muhammad Mohsin in the mid-eighteenth century is a pleasure to the eyes. Distinctly, this marble structure is another big attraction in the region.
To get there
Bandel is almost forty kilometers away from the Howrah Station. Local trains like the Bandel Local, Bardhaman Local, and Memari Local are available from the Howrah Station for the Bandel Station. It takes around an hour and five minutes to cover the distance by a local train. Bus and auto-rickshaw services are available from outside the station to reach Bandel Church.
Bandel could be reached by the Sealdah Station as well. First, one needs to board a local train like the Naihati Local to get down at the Naihati Station. From here, one needs to board another local train to reach the Bandel Station.