Digha is a small and quaint coastal town in West Bengal. It is known for its pristine waters and the long stretch of sandy beaches. It is one of the most famous seaside towns in West Bengal, and needless to say a great tourist destination. People come here to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the perfect scenic beauty. Visit Digha to bask in the morning sunlight of the beautiful rising sun- a view that will take your breath away, and make you fall in love with the place.
History of Digha
Digha was originally known as Beerkul, and the mention of this name is found in the letters of Warren Hastings- the first Governor General of India. He referred to Digha as the “Brighton of the East”. In 1923, an English businessman named John Frank Snaith made this town his home.
He urged the then CM of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy, to give this place a touristy touch, and to develop it into a beach holiday destination. Digha has a well-known church and the place where it was located was called Alankarpur Digha. Probably Digha got its name from there.
Digha being a beautiful resort town has no dearth of things to do and places to see. There are also many hotels in Digha, falling both in the budget and luxury category. So Digha is a perfect holiday destination for every kind of traveler!
Digha, as we have already mentioned, is blessed with picturesque surroundings. You won’t have a single boring moment here. Some of the tourist places in Digha that you should not miss are-
– Digha Beach
This is the classic Digha beach that attracts tourists from all over the country. The vast stretch of sand, frothy waves, and a plethora of beach activities to keep you busy will ensure that you spend some of the best moments of your life here.
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New Digha Beach
This is a man-made beach, situated at a distance of 2kms from the old one. It is cleaner and better managed and is more accessible from the hotels around. It is also less crowded and gives you a nice break from the noise of its older counterpart.
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Talsari beach
Talsari beach is a treat to the sore eyes. Lined with majestic palm trees, this beach is a sight to behold. It is also a place that the seafood lovers must visit. The shacks on the beach offer mouthwatering seafood cuisines. Since this beach is not frequented by the regular crowd, it is a paradise for the seekers of solitude. You can come here to relax!
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Marine Aquarium and Research Centre (MARC)
Marine Aquarium and Research Centre are one of the most visited places in Digha (after the beaches, of course!). It houses the largest inbuilt aquarium in India. This Aquarium was incepted in the year 1989 as a part of the Seventh 5 Year Plan by the Government. The motive behind setting up this center was to make people aware of the vast marine life, biodiversity, and ecosystem. It also motivates people to take up research in the field of marine biodiversity. The aquarium primarily is home to three kinds of creatures-species that are endangered and require to be conserved, ‘local and curious’ species, and species that reside in freshwater. Some of the species housed here include lobsters, rays, sharks, butterflyfishes, horseshoe crabs, sea snakes, among other relatively unknown organisms.
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Udaipur beach
It is a haven for those who seek tranquility at a beach. Udaipur beach is an unexplored sea beach where you can go and sit for hours and hours basking in your own thoughts. It is located on the border of Orissa and West Bengal between New Digha and Talsari. Here, you can see the daily life of the fishermen who go in the sea to catch fish and sell it later. You can also enjoy adventure sports such as Banana Boat and Speed Boat here. There are excellent tents run by West Bengal Tourism and OCEANA tourist complex, which offer amazing accommodation options at a reasonable budget.
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Lord Shiva temple at Chandaneswar
This quaint temple is situated at a distance of 8kms from the old Digha beach. It is at least a hundred years old and is situated at Chandaneswar- a small town that lies on the border of Bengal and Orissa. The temple is located in Orissa, and as the name suggests, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Bengali month of “Chaitra” witnesses an extremely famous annual fair here in the temple. The temple is visited by nearly half a million pilgrims during that time.
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Amravati Park
This park is a treat to sore eyes. It offers unmatched views of lush green trees, comfortable walkways, and manicured lawns. Come here for a stroll to clear your head and relax.
Digha is a beautiful tourist destination that attracts people from all over the world. It is a great place to unwind and take a break from the claustrophobic and noisy city life.