Location:The Ghats of Kolkata like Princep Ghat, Armenian Ghat, Outram Ghat etc.
Time to Visit:Early morning and in the evening twilight at the time of sunset.
Preferred Timings: Besides afternoon, any time is a good time for a riverside trip.
Admission Fee: In order to book a boat, rates vary from time to time. The rate depends on the distance one intends to cover. Longer the distance, higher is the rate charged.
How to Reach:The Ghats of Kolkata are well connected by local buses, mini buses and metered taxis that are readily available from various parts of the city.
Photography / Video charges: Nil.
Nearest Railway Station: Howrah
Nearest Metro Station: Depends upon which Ghat you prefer.
Nearest Functional Metro Station:Depends upon which Ghat you prefer.
Nearest International Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
Time required for sightseeing:Between a minimum of 45 minutes to a whole day affair.
Special Event / Annual Event:
Any Hindu festival involving idol immersion like Durga Puja, Kali Puja or Saraswati Puja.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
Depends upon which Ghat you choose for embarkation/disembarkation.
Bengal is a land criss-crossed by rivers and rivulets and the city of Kolkata has the holy river Ganges which flows right through the heart of this stupendous city.
As far as country made boats are concerned, Bengal still occupies the numero uno position as far as numbers are concerned. Historically, the boatmen of Bengal are a unique lot. Their slow, uncluttered and philosophical outlook on life has been the subject of rich Bengali folklore. A lot of films too have been produced depicting the strange lifestyle of Bengal's boatmen. The film "Padma Nadir Majhi", directed by renowned film maker - Goutam Ghosh is a case in point.
In Kolkata, on the banks of river Hooghly, you will come across jetties or Ghats as they are referred to in the local parlance like Princep Ghat, Outram Ghat, Armenian Ghat etc. from where you can embark on short trips. Although, you no longer find boats that move primarily on oars, yet a boat trip down the perennial Hooghly river can be a very rewarding experience, providing you with panoramic views of the Kolkata metropolis.
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.
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 Kumartuli Artistic Trip Kolkata Horse Carriage Trips Kolkata Tramcar Trip Tollywood Trip |
Kolkata Riverside Trip Festival Trip to Kolkata East Kolkata Wetland Trip |
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