If time were not a constraint, you would do well to hire an entire boat and go on a trip down the Hooghly river from Kolkata to Murshidabad and vice versa. Of course, it's a long route but the sites and scenes that such a trip offers is worth every penny you spend. Enroute, you will come across places like Bandel, Pallessy, Chandannagore and a whole lot of former European colonial towns, all of which exude a rich sense of history.
As you bask in the glory of Bengal's rich virile past, what will also attract you is the sight of distant boats with their colorful sails fluttering across the gentle breeze, which truly makes for a kaleidoscopic vignette. On closer look, you will discover that these miniscule country made boats have a thatched shed on the middle, which doubles up as a kitchen. The lilting Bhatiyali songs sung by the boatmen are refreshing far from the rowdy hip-hop music of today.
To attract today's jet set new age traveler, Vivada Inland Waterways which is an established brand name in the world of cargo has introduced state-of-the-art speedboats and water taxis which ply at regular intervals from the Millennium Park jetty. These water taxis can accommodate upto 12 passengers. The vessels are 7.3 meter long which is made of fiber glass and fitted with a motor. They attain speeds of 12 to 15 knots per hour and are by far the fastest mode of river transport now available from Kolkata.
Great rivers have spawned great civilizations and as the Hooghly river meanders through gracefully, it casts a magical spell that seduces many a traveler.
On a boat ride, you will reminiscence how wonderful it must have felt cruising on pre- World War II ferries from Kolkata to Murshidabad and beyond.
So, next time you visit Kolkata, hitch a ride from a local boatman and explore a Bengal you never knew existed. | 
