Imagine sitting on a comfy armchair, sipping your tea from a lawn overlooking a massive, expansive lake. The sun is slowly drooping below the horizon and the skies filled with birds of all colours flying in formation to their nightly abodes.
This my friend is what Purbasthali is famous for. The exact scene that I elaborated above, is what makes this otherwise unknown place such a hot favourite amongst travellers. If you want to catch a glimpse of rare migratory birds and the uniquely rustic landscape of rural Bengal, this is the spot to be.
At 120 km from Kolkata, Purbasthali is easily accessible by road. The region is a hotspot for diverse flora and fauna. The confluence of the three rivers, Bhagirathi, Ajay and Damodar acts as the main catalyst for the flourishing and vibrant ecosystem.
There are local trains and passage trains from both Howrah and Sealdah station that will take to directly to Purbasthali station. Its best to consult the railways website to get the exact timings of the trains.
The ox bow lake which is the focal point of Purbasthali was created by the meandering river Ganges over the course of the last half a century. Little islands pop up during the drier months and the lake itself acts as the stomping ground for rare migratory birds; some of which like the Baikal Teal, travel from far off places like Siberia and central Russia.
I had the privilege of visiting this natural marvel a few summers back. It is a quiet, tranquil place where nature, for the most part is still unfiltered. Going by car, you will go through the villages of Samudragar and Natungram on the way. Both are famous for their textile work, handicraft and lush greenery.
Chupi Kasthashali Pakhiralay
We stayed at the Chupi Kasthashali Pakhiralay, overlooking the ox bow lake . Situated right at the banks of the water body it provides an excellent vantage point for witnessing the migratory birds that flock to the region on daily basis. The evenings and early mornings are the best time to get a glimpse of the rarer species.
In the weekends, photographers from various parts of the state come to try their craft at capturing impressive frames of the beautiful fauna here. I myself am a photography enthusiast and the attraction of bird watching and capturing them in their natural element was a major reason why I chose to visit this tranquil spot.
Weather here is typically hot and humid during the summer months and moderately cold during the winters. As the ox bow lake and the surrounding geography lies in the flood plains; most of the islands in and around Purbasthali gets submerged during the monsoon season.
The landscape is here dominated and shaped by water and migratory birds are not the only fauna that call this place their home. There is a diverse family of wild foxes, snakes and lizards that live in and around the lake. Both venomous and non-venomous snakes can be spotted darting through the water on frequent basis.
But do not be alarmed by this, the slithering inhabitants usually keep themselves to themselves. So, unless you make it a point to jump headfirst into a dense bush, you will be fine. The lush vegetation coupled with the wetlands makes it a perfect place for this kind of diversity of flora and fauna.
Apart from the lake and Purbasthali village itself, there are a lot of places you can visit during your stay. If you are a history buff, then you can check out Nabadwip and Mayapur, which are situated at 15 km from Purbasthali.
Steeped in history, these hotspots of culture are a must visit to get a taste of the unique anthropology of the place. On clearer days, you can see the colossal dome of the ISCON temple of Mayapur from the cottages of the resort; an engineering marvel standing tall on the opposite banks.
Spending the weekend here will be a treat to all your senses. Tucked away from the din of traffic and buzzing tourists, the cottages of Chupi Kasthalshali Pakhiralay form a protective bubble of peace and tranquillity.
So, go out and experience this natural paradise before the lockdown begins (hopefully, they won’t happen).
Accommodation Details;
Name- Chupi Kasthashali Pakhiralay
E-mail- booking@purbasthali.com
Address- Purbasthali, East Burdawan, Pin: 713513
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