My Visit to Bakkhali Sea Beach

I went to Bakkhali which is a deltaic island in southern Bengal. Majority of the islands have been under the Sundarbans. There are bridges across narrow creeks. I found the beach to be crescent shaped. I can see the sunset and sunrise.

 

I asked the guide and he told me that the beach is 8 km starting from Bakkhali and ending at  Frasergunj. In holiday season, I find a lot of people in the beach. I found a small area has been given lights. I observed the beach is quite hard and I hired a cycle for cycling across the beach. I hired a car and did some driving also. I took a long walk along with the coconut water.

 

I have visited Bakkhali during February. I also visited Bakkhali during October and March.  I went there again in December and November. The local guide told me about 7 tourist spots in Bakkhali. I visited the local attractions in the afternoon and early morning. I also toured the area in the night and evening.

 

I went for sightseeing and it took approximately 12 hours. One of my friend toured the spot in 24 hours. It is important to stay in Bakkhali for approximately two to three days. I stayed there for 3 days.

 

I went to see the Bakkhali Watch Tower. I also visited the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project in the Sundarbans. I had a wonderful time at the Sagar Island. I also enjoyed travelling to Jambu Dwip. I discovered that Fraserganj is an amazing spot.

HENRYS ISLAND

 

I embarked on a trip to Henry Island and it is a European who conducted a survey of the land in the last part of 19th century. I had a great time checking the Bakkhali watch tower. I came across the mangrove jungle and went over the bamboo bridge. I found 50 ponds and I came to know that the department of fisheries had made them. The area of the land is 25 bigha over 100-hectares of the land. The guide told me that there are trees like kankru, gora, palm, sundari along with hetal.

I went towards the left from the stop named Jelighat and it is 4 km prior to Bakkhali. I drived 1.5 kilometers and found a number of lodges.

 

JAMBUDEEP ISLAND

 

I went to Jambudwip and the island is deserted. It is near Bay of Bengal and it is approximately 8 km from southwestern end of Bakkhali or Fraserganj. I found the district is South 24 Parganas. During fishing season, I found there are lot of people, particularly February and October. I heard from the guide that there were fishermen who had come from Noakhali and Chittagong for marine fishing. I found the natural creek and the boats can be safely harboured. The fishermen also got drinking water. I had to go to Frazergunj subsequently took motor boat for reaching Jambu Dwip.

 

SAGAR ISLAND

 

I heard from the guide that Sagar Island is 300 sq. km where the Gangasagar is situated. It is good to observe the River Hooghly meeting sea. In order to reach this spot, the visitor have to come backwards and reach Namkhana 20 km. I took a ferry service for crossing the Muriganga and reached Sagar Island. I reached the Kachuberia jetty. When I went during Makar Sankranti, I found the Gangasagar Mela is going on. It happens during January. A lot of Hindu pilgrims come to the island. I went to the Kapil Muni temple. I took the dip in the meeting point of Ganges and Bay of Bengal. I am interested in bird watching as there is agricultural habitat. I observed small channels of river along with the mangrove swamps. In order to reach Sagar Island, a visitor has to travel 135 kms from Kolkata. They can go to Diamond Harbor road and they will go to Harwood point, and then they will reach no.8 Lot Ghat. I had to cross the barge, and I went to Kochuberia. I went further for approximately 30 kms and went to Sagar Island.

 

FRAZERGANJ

 

I went to Frazerganj which is 2 km in the north Bakkhali area. It is named after Andrew Fraser as per the guide. The guide told me that Fraser in the beginning of 1900s wanted to turn the area into resort. He failed to do it as the waves of sea destroyed constructions. I found the ruins of his office. There is a farm for Wind Energy and about 1 MW power is generated. There will be an extension of 2 MW and it is found at Frazerganj. I went to Bakkhali using tourist bus. I went to Esplanade in Kolkata and took a tourist bus. I reached Frazergunj using cycle van. I hired cars for reaching Frazergunj. If you want train service, you can reach Namkhana from Sealdah station. I have to cross a river named Hatania Doania using boat. I took the bus from bank of river to reach Bakkhali.