Purbasthali is a charming little place in the Burdwan district of South Bengal. There is a fresh water oxbow lake there on the bank of the Ganga which plays host to a lot of migratory birds in the winter months. Over the last few years the number of such visitors has gone down rather drastically due to various man made factors. But Purbasthali still holds it charm for me, perhaps because it all started for me from here.
A few years ago, I had come here with my wife, daughter and my in-laws on our way back to Calcutta from Katwa. Ever since that fateful day in 2008, I got sucked deeper into the hobby of bird watching and photography. I have gone to many birding hotspots but Purbasthali has not lost its charm for me yet. But I must confess it is getting seriously difficult to stay attracted to Purbasthali.
This year, that is in 2012, we went to Purbasthali twice. Once as a day trip with Partha, Suranjan and Suman and once again with Monisha, Partha and Suman. On this second occassion we stayed overnight at the Parijayee Abas - a small spartan lodge maintained there by the local Panchayat Samiti.
In case you came across this site looking for information on how to go to Purbasthali - there are two ways. You take the Katwa local from Howrah or Sealdah. Purbasthali railway station is right next to Nabadwip. From the railway station you could take a van rickshaw to Kasthasali or Chupi Char. It's not more than 10/15 minutes.
By road you come via Memari to Kusumgram. Turn right at Kusumgram and go to Nadanghat (a few KM after Kusumgram there is a left exit towards Nadanghat - contiuing on the straight road would take you to Kalna). Turn left at Nadanghat towards Purbasthali. This straight road goes to Katwa. Turn right from the state highway near Purbasthali Bazaar. Cross the level crossing and go to Kasthasali.
A few years ago, I had come here with my wife, daughter and my in-laws on our way back to Calcutta from Katwa. Ever since that fateful day in 2008, I got sucked deeper into the hobby of bird watching and photography. I have gone to many birding hotspots but Purbasthali has not lost its charm for me yet. But I must confess it is getting seriously difficult to stay attracted to Purbasthali.
This year, that is in 2012, we went to Purbasthali twice. Once as a day trip with Partha, Suranjan and Suman and once again with Monisha, Partha and Suman. On this second occassion we stayed overnight at the Parijayee Abas - a small spartan lodge maintained there by the local Panchayat Samiti.
In case you came across this site looking for information on how to go to Purbasthali - there are two ways. You take the Katwa local from Howrah or Sealdah. Purbasthali railway station is right next to Nabadwip. From the railway station you could take a van rickshaw to Kasthasali or Chupi Char. It's not more than 10/15 minutes.
By road you come via Memari to Kusumgram. Turn right at Kusumgram and go to Nadanghat (a few KM after Kusumgram there is a left exit towards Nadanghat - contiuing on the straight road would take you to Kalna). Turn left at Nadanghat towards Purbasthali. This straight road goes to Katwa. Turn right from the state highway near Purbasthali Bazaar. Cross the level crossing and go to Kasthasali.
