Seven Monsoon Destinations to explore near Kolkata that are lesser known weekend getaways

Kolkata, the city of joy that is as richer in historical places as it is in natural places. The amalgamation of the historical as well as natural places nearby the city must be kept in the mind for a short weekend trip in the Monsoon season. With that in mind, I have listed seven of the best monsoon destinations to explore nearby Kolkata so that one can enjoy rains with the friends and family members and be flabbergasted!

1. Mandarmani

Mandarmani, the beach town 171 Km away from Kolkata, houses one of the longest beaches in the country. Lightly populated, the place makes for an ideal getaway especially in the monsoons when you can enjoy a dip in the sea while it rains pleasantly. Other than the sea beaches, rains, and waves, the fantastic resorts located nearby the beaches of the town offers ecstatic scenic beauty of the sea during high tides in the rainy season.

2. Bakkhali

In the south territory of West Bengal, Bakkhali, one of the little beach towns of the state has been located that is austerely inhabited. Due to the minimum crowd, the beach town offers a quiet and calm atmosphere for a weekend away from the city. Notably, by the beaches you can notice the bright red Fiddler crabs marching away on the beach. Or else, you can enjoy a pleasant boating available for the tourists. Evidently, the season of monsoon merely amplifies the scenic beauty of the place that must be explored for a change.

3. Santiniketan

Santiniketan, the land of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, can be described as one of the peaceful weekend gateway, 162 Km away from Kolkata. True to its name, Santiniketan is the land of peace, art, and scenic beauty. Visva Bharathi Vidyapeet and the Uttarayan complex is one of the popular attractions where Tagore lived and is now converted to a museum and art gallery. Apart from that, the peaceful ambiance of the town offers much more during the monsoon rain.

4. Sonajhuri Forest

Sonajhuri Forest can be identified as another offbeat weekend gateway near the city of Kolkata, located little ahead of Santiniketan. In terms of tourist’s perspective, the place offers a cluster of untouched forests with winding village roads and the Kopoai River flowing through it. During the monsoon what would be better that living the midst of the forest with gentle rains and all things natural? Apart from the forest ambience, the traditional culture of the place and the local public can also be enjoyed at the extreme.

5. Jhargram

Nestled between the scenic Sal tree forests, this town located a little ahead of the Gangetic plains of West Bengal shares cultures of both West Bengal and Jharkhand. This little known place has much of nature to offer especially during monsoons when the brown trees take on different shades of green and flowers bloom in abundance. The beautiful hill ranges of Belpahari and Kankrajhor adorn the town while the Ketki Falls are in their prime when it rains.

6. Maithan

Owing to its location in the coal belt of India on the Barakar River near Kolkata, 236 Km away from the city, Maithan is often called the ‘Kashmir of Koyalanchal’. The town is developed around the Maithan Dam and reservoir which is the largest dam of the Damodar Valley Corporation in India. Famous for its beauty, hills and clear blue water, it is a treat to the eyes in the monsoons. Nearby attractions include – Chammack Pahar or Spoon Island, a patch of land that looks like an inverted spoon located in the middle of the reservoir, Kalyaneeshwari Temple, Deer Park, among others.

7. Bakreswar

Serenity at its best, Bakreswar located close to Kolkata, 219 Km away from the city, is surrounded by nature with little hills, forests and valleys. It is more known for its hot springs which are known to be therapeutic. There is an old Shiva Temple near the hot spring that you can visit. Also, Shantiniketan is in close proximity to Bakreswar.

By visiting the places, all you need to do is relax at a resort, take a walk down the villages or simply gaze at the sea for long hours — swallow down the dreariness of monsoon with a bit of nature's sweetness. Just give it a try this monsoon and explore the unexplored.