Winter season sets in; weather is really cool for picnic or family outing. I am also taking less work load this year end for small picnics and nearby outings. Many people in Kolkata really think where to go this winter weekends. We are really become sick of crowded city place, busy life. We need peaceful nature and some outing at picnic stops near forest or rivers or at a village garden surrounded by greenery. I love to go out with my family and explore new places. Here I have mentioned few places where you can spend your day out with your family. This is based on my journey, so some of the information may have changed over time. This is an small effort to share experience of outing in rural Bengal .
Taki Picnic site with my family
Taki Picnic spot: This is place tucked away by 75 km from Kolkata. This place is accessible by both road and train. This is the best place for family picnic. Taki is famous for best picnic spot along the Ichamoti river close Bangladesh Border. You can take Hanshnabad Local train from Sealdha and reach Taki Station, from there you can take local van to reach the picnic spot. You can reach by road, from Kolkata it’s 80 Km journey. First you reach Barasat , then take along Taki road and drive straight to reach Taki . I have visited five times there, mostly by my car.
Taki Picnic - enjoying picnic near river site - other side you can see Bangladesh
What to see there: Taki Raj Bari , Machranga Dip ( island – really awesome views of island and rivers all around ) , boating in river Ichamoti , Hoglapata Jongal ( Hoglapata forest ) etc . You can take food in local guest house . You can get a very close view of Bangladesh. IF you go with your car , take all foods and enjoy a beautiful river side picnic . (Last time I paid Rs. 250 for booking a river side picnic sport). Place is very safe because of BSF camp .
Ichamoti picnic Garden - entry to island type picnic spot
Ichamoti Park: This place is a very safe place for family picnic . You can reach this place by private vehicle or you can reach here from Hashnabad line ( In fact I visited that place by my car ) . Route from nearby station to this place is not clear. You get all facilities from this location . You need to book this picnic spot from nearby counter. ( I feel I spent Rs 300 for a spot ) . This spot is a island surrounded by canal ( it’s created by local municipality for picnic only ) . This only picnic spot, so you can spend time with your family, playing games , you can get many other picnic parties there . I enjoyed this place very much.
Close view of picnic spots from nearby canal bridge
Badu picnic spot : This is very close to Kolkata , 35 km off from Kolkata . There are many villa or picnic spots there. For big picnic party , you have book early . One important place is “ Makarasa Bagan “ you can say “Spider Garden “ . Actually it is Markar Shah’s Garden . This is a awesome place . Big ponds , big mango trees around the pond , big and old building along the pond guarding the mango trees . But place is not safe for family in rush hours.
But there are lots of place to arrange picnic . Most important place to visit are : Hanuman Mandir , Snake garden , Aquarium , also lots of mango gardens for family picnic and games under the big mango trees .
Sanhati Park : This is located in Ashok Nagar along Bangoan line . You can reach by train or private car . Best place to spend picnic with your kids . You can book ( in advance ) the picnic spot for full day picnic . This place has lots of rides for children . You can also visit Science Park near Habra.
Sky view of Sanhati park from ropeway bridge
Metho Gaon ( Village of mud ) : This not very popular spot located near Madhyamgram ( 25 km off from Kolkata ) . You can book one picnic spot , spend time among the paddy fields and pluck green vegetables from the fields ( with permission ) and use the same for your picnic .
Lost in nature at Metho gao
Kakra Mirja pur : This is again along the Taki Road , beautiful village , country side . Ideal for family picnic. Famous “ Baba Loknath temple “ located in this place .
Other important places to visit:
Mayapur : This is approximately 125 km from Kolkata , near Krishna Nagar . You can reach by car or by train . ISKON Mandir is there. You can visit many Math and local Asram . But single day trip is hectic . Better to stay a day at Mayapur ISKON mandir .
Bangaon Bibhuti Bhusan Ghat : This place is very close to Bangaon Station . You can catch Bangaon train from Sealdah and reach the Bangaon station . From there you can reach the ghat . This is famous for Sri Bibhuti Bushan Bondapadhya , famous Bengali novelist . You can see the ghat , local bridge over river . Small picnic spot near the river. You can manage to stay nearby guest house by advance booking .
These are the places I have visited one or many times. These places are famous for their bucolic charm and smell of natures. Every winter, I plan to visit one of these sites with my family. Every time I go, I rediscover the place with new charms, with new experience ( as rural Bengal is changing fast ) . If you are in Kolkata, you can make a visit and enjoy your time with your family at country side picnic spots.
gobindaroy
ur blog is very good…description about the picnic spots are really good…but u haven’t given any contact nos of the picnic spots…do u hav any contact no???if any plz give,I really want to go their…
Mr roy
i have learned everything from your blog.but you have not given any contact no or from where to book.please give the details information regarding booking
regds
j.k.saha
my email id is jks525@sify.com
Thanks for your views .
Few cases , I missed the contact numbers . But for Taki , it’s awesome place . For single day picnic , you can go little early , you can find municipality people there , who allot picnic spots come come , first service basis . But larger team size , you have to to there before for booking picnic spots. Municipality has two big picnic spots , but advance booking is mandatory . For small family picnic , go straight and book on the spot .
Badu picnic spot : Now days Corporate booking there ( Singe spot RS 3000 to 5000 for big party , but when you go in a small family , we can reach Snake garden Area , ask for local people for picnic spots . But avoid very important public holidays . Heavy rush there !
For Ichamati park , go early there and book the spot at the local counter , please enter early there . Go there with foods and all stuffs . As inside the park , you would not get any goods . You have come out for purchase other stuffs . Again avoid very rush time .
Nest time wherever I go , i will mention the phone number so that my reader can get direct information .
Thanks for your time . You can share you views whwn you come back from any of these places .
Happy new year 2012.
Regards ,
Gobinda
Here are some contact update for Sanhati Park :
PHONE NUMBER OF PARK
1)MILLENNIUM PARK-03216-231888
2)SANHATI PARK—- 09635346605(RATAN BABU)
3)PICNIC SPOT——– 09734509951(MANIK BABU)
( source : http://www.habralocal.com/ )
Hi This is Soma, from Washington DC…I really enjoyed reading the blogs very informative
I have a small request and would be very grateful if you accept it! My father has a beautiful farmhouse in Jagatballavpur Howrah, which we rent out for picnic. The website is http://www.rammandirgarden.com
you can see lots of pictures there. I would be Thankful if you put our garden in you blog along with the website. It is my fathers sweat and blood and has rare variety of orchids and plams from all around the world!
Thanks a lot
Soma
Thanks Soma ,
I will add a brief note later in the post .
thanks ,
Gobinda
it was very nice to go through your blogs….. i m planning to go to taki with a group of 15 frnds…any sugestions???
Thanks for stopping by . If you like go with 15 friends , better get the number of Local Municipality Guest house and make a call to arrange for stay and foods . Road condition was not good 2 month back . So you can go by Train also . This is not best picnic season now .Otherwise I advise you to go for a boat ride and visit Machranga Deep . In fact there are many guest houses . You can book and stay over there .
hi gobind jee…i will go to asok nagar these monday..a team of 6 friends..what would be booking price of picnic spot for our little team? we will carry our food from here…
thanks in advance.ur description is simple and charming
Thanks for your comment . Yes last year I went to Sanhati Park ( Ashok Nagar ) . Best place for small picnic or family picnic. Last year , booking prices was : INR 300 . But on rush day . always book in advance .
thanks gobind sir…
Welcome !
Hi, this is Abir Manna. After follow your blog, I decide to go Taki in coming December, for a family picnic. But there is a small think to i know, is it possible to make our picnic at just beside of river ? Actually I like the natural spots, not park or Guest house.
I like your blog very much. Please try to update it regularly.
Thanks
Hello Abir ,
Thanks for your comments . Yes plenty of river side spots are there , just very close to river back . There is series of picnic spots ( for small family or group ) , this is maintained by local Municipality . Last time I paid INR 300 for each spot . During peak time , go early and book a suitable spot . Don’t forget to travel
1. Manchranga Deep ( possible go by booking private dinghi/boat ) ,
2. Hoglapata Jungle ( by by local van )
Hope this helps .
Thanks
Thanks a lot. I will follow this.
Welcome:)
Enjoy your time there !
can you plzzz exactly give the direction of meto gaon, madhyamgram?
Very helpful information.
Thank You,
Thanks Joy
cn v just go n cum bak in d same day if v go to taki..n hws d place ..is it safe fr gals????
n hw wll it b if v go to taki on 25th of dec..plz do reply..
Go early to book spot . Heavy rush during on 25Th december .thanks
best picnic spot for 60 people on 20.01.13?
You can try Taki , but you need to book the spot in advance .
sir i stay in esplanade wanted to go to a place near by for family picnic not more than 1.5 hrs drive for 50 people and 300/head.. last tym i went to rani hati wth some event organisers and therer were about 200 people sharing that area.. if u cud suggest me some people number who undertake such events and also notify me if u have any idea of such upcoming events..you can mail me at coolharsh_2k1@ymail.com