The sun was setting over the horizon as I sat under the thatched roof of a makeshift tea stall, listening to the waves crashing into the cove below. The cool evening breeze from the sea was a welcome change on a hot, humid, summer evening.
Tajpur, is a yet to be fully commercialized beach town about 180 km from Kolkata. It is a small stretch of isolated coastline between Digha and Mandarmani, still untouched by the relentless fast food stalls and large cavernous resorts.
The soft, sandy beaches are clean and for the most part devoid of vendors, loudspeakers, etc. So, if you want a quiet escape for the weekend from the city and zen out among swaying trees, tranquil sunsets and waves; put Tajpur on your list.
Although, Tajpur is comparatively secluded, it is not completely devoid of tourist life. In the last couple of years, its popularity has and is still transitioning into the mainstream. Exotic new hotels, resorts have started popping up along the once quiet beaches, lined by thick ‘Jhau’ forests.
How to reach;
Accessing the beach towns around the southern coastline is relatively easy. The area is well connected by roads and there is a fully functioning railway track till Digha.
Personally, I would prefer taking the road, as it’s more freeing and you can directly access secluded beaches like Tajpur, Junput, and many other tucked away coastal havens. Depending on road conditions it takes around 5-6 hours to reach Tajpur from Kolkata.
Where to stay;
This would have been a challenging question a few years back, but like I mentioned before; Tajpur is growing into a sought-after weekend destination and hotels are sprouting up faster than vegetables there.
There are several luxurious properties to choose from, although owing to the recent cyclone and the ongoing Pandemic; their availability is a big question mark. But things have started to normalize a little bit and most of the establishments are already back in service.
People can both stay at Mandarmani and visit Tajpur from there, or as I would prefer, stay at Tajpur itself. If you are choosing the latter, then there are some quite elaborate establishments like Tajpur beach Resort and Tajpur Retreat.
Mandarmani is already boming with hotels, OYO rooms and many more options. So, accommodation wise, the spot is not a headache.
What to see;
As Tajpur is comparatively less crowded, visitors can experience nature in unbridled abundance. The flora itself is a shoutout to how Digha used to look in the old days. Large, smooth sand dunes, sculpted by the wind and thick pine forests; infinitely stretching out, parallel to the sea.
On early mornings or at dusk, you might even spot wild foxes, scarpering across the woods or crossing a deserted road. For birdwatchers, Tajpur has a lot to offer. The thick vegetation and lower noise levels attract a lot of rare species, unique to the coastline.
If rare birds or the sly fox doesn’t tickle your curiosity, hold on, Tajpur also offers the chance to contemplate your place in the cosmos. Owing to the sparse population, light pollution is minimal here.
So, during the Milky Way season (March-October in the Northern Hemisphere), on a clear moonless night you can see our galaxy rising from the horizon. Till now, this unique vista has eluded me, but those who have witnessed this, say it’s quite an humbling experience.
If you haven’t yet visited this remarkable alchemy of sun, sand and waves, put it on your calendar. Once all this crazy pandemic settles down and we come out the other side which we will; escape to this place for a weekend, you won’t regret it.
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