Top picnic spots in the South 24 parganas, West Bengal

The South 24 Parganas district is one important district of the West Bengal with its headquarters at the Alipore. Though rated as the most inhibited district of the country, it scores nearly 80 percent in the literacy. It lies comfortably between the Kolkata city and the riverside Sundarban villages, it excels in the agricultural and the industrial fields. The district divides into the Alipore Sadar (Headquarters), Diamond Harbor, Canning, Baruipur and Kakdwip. The temperature varies between 14 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsius and the annual humidity varies from 70 percent to 85 percent. Other notable districts of West Bengal are the Burdwan and the Hooghly district. The distance between the South 24 Parganas district and the Hooghly district is 152 kilometers and the time taken to travel between the district is three hours 25 minutes. Learn more about the best picnic spots of the Hooghly district from this website.

Diamond Harbor, a popular picnic spot, lies on the banks of the Hooghly river. It is 48 kilometers from the Kolkata. A ruined fort of the British period locates in the locality. One may not go inside the fort as it lacks proper maintenance. So, one needs to pick a suitable picnic spot outside, under the open sky. It attracts people during the winter for picnics. Suitable parking space available for the visitors on nominal parking charges. The municipality provides for the potable water to the visitors. Besides, other noteworthy places are the Sagardwip and the Bakkhali.

Sagardwip, a small island in the Sundarban, lies 128 kilometers from the Kolkata. A peaceful place blessed with silver sand on the banks of the Ganga river. A lighthouse helps the visitors to have the impressive view of the surrounding place. Known as the Hindu pilgrimage center, it attracts devotees during the festival of Makar Sankranti in January. A grand exhibition called the Gangasagar Mela attracts visitors from the different quarters. This also serves as an ideal picnic spot for the visitors. One needs to board a bus from Kolkata to Namkhana. From the Namkhana boats available to go to Chemaguri. From the Chemaguri buses available for the Gangasagar.

It lies 51 kilometers from the Kolkata at the banks of the Hooghly river. Buses from the Esplanade (Dharmatala) and the Taratala go to the place. The driving direction includes the Diamond Harbor Road – Taratala, Behala, Thakurpukur, Zoka, Amtala – Falta. The house of the Indian scientist, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, lies on the banks of the Hooghly river. Known as the Bose Bigyan Mandir, it has a big garden with trees and the shrubs. Moreover, several small resorts available in the locality for the suitable accommodation of the visitors.

Nurpur provides an excellent environment to the visitors for arranging small picnics. Direct buses from the Dharmatala bus terminus available for the spot. Alternatively, one may board any of the buses going to the Diamond Harbor, Kakdwip and Namkhana. One have to get down at the Sorisa Ashram More (Crossing). From here one needs to board another bus to Nurpur.

This picnic spot lies on the banks of Matla river. An offbeat picnic spot in the Canning, not as popular as the Diamond Harbor or the Nurpur. However, it would soon become popular. Locating at the center of nature it catches the visitor's attention because of its beautiful environs. Hosting a picnic at the banks of the Matla river, surrounded by tree shades, provides an absorbing experience. One may sail across the river in a boat or sit in the park to look at the picturesque view of the flowing river. One needs to board the Canning Local train from the Sealdah Station (Kolkata) and get down at the Canning Station. Rickshaws and autos available from the station to get there.