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Digha

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Overview

Digha (Bengali: দীঘা Dīghā, Odia: ଦୀଘା Dīghā) is one of the most popular seaside resorts in West Bengal. People from the cities flock around the beaches of Digha during the vacation. As it is close to cities like Kolkata

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia1,499 words

WBP editorial3

Beyond the Sunbathers

While the broad, gentle shoreline draws day‑trippers, the true pulse of Digha can be felt in the neighbourhood markets that line the coastal road. Here, stallholders peddle freshly‑caught hilsa, fragrant popped‑pomegranate chutney, and hand‑woven cotton saris in patterns that echo the sea’s rhythm. Early mornings are the best time to watch the fishermen unload their nets, a ritual that offers a glimpse of the town’s livelihood beyond tourism. A short walk inland reveals a modest network of temples and colonial‑era bungalows, each bearing subtle layers of Bengal’s mixed heritage that are easy to miss when you’re focused on the sand.

Seasonal Shifts and the Best Time to Stay

Digha’s climate swings between a humid monsoon stretch and a milder winter that begins in November. The cooler months bring a clearer horizon, making them ideal for those who prefer long walks at dusk rather than the bustle of peak summer crowds. During the pre‑monsoon weeks of September, the town hosts a modest kite‑flying festival where locals launch colourful patterns that mirror the ebbing tides. Visitors who time their stay to these quieter periods can enjoy lower accommodation rates, uncrowded beach walks, and an authentic interaction with residents who are less preoccupied with the tourist rush.

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When measured against other Indian beach towns such as Puri or Goa, Digha’s low‑gradient sand offers a distinctive, almost lagoon‑like experience, especially for families with small children. The water’s gentle slope reduces the risk of strong undercurrents, which is less common on the more rugged Konkan coast. Yet, unlike the heavily commercialised stretches of Goa, Digha retains a modest scale, allowing the occasional sea‑breeze to carry the scent of distant mangroves. This balance of safety, serenity, and subtle cultural texture positions Digha as a uniquely measured alternative for coastal travellers seeking calm without total isolation.

Introduction

Seaside resort town in West Bengal, India For other uses, see Digha (disambiguation). Seaside resort town in West Bengal, IndiaDigha দীঘাSeaside resort townDigha Tourist LodgeDigha Sea BeachSunset at the beachCoastal viewDighaLocation in West Bengal, IndiaShow map of West BengalDighaDigha (India)Show map of IndiaCoordinates: 21°38′18″N 87°30′35″E / 21.6384°N 87.5096°E / 21.6384; 87.5096Country IndiaStateWest BengalDistrictPurba MedinipurSubdivisionContai subdivisionDevelopment AuthorityDigha Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA)Elevation6 m (20 ft)Languages • OfficialBengaliTime zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)PIN721428Vehicle registrationWB-31xxxx, WB-32xxxxLok Sabha constituencyKanthiVidhan Sabha constituencyRamnagarWebsitewww.dsda.org.in  •  mydigha.in Digha (Bengali pronunciation: [ˈdiɡʱa]) is a seaside resort town located in the Purba Medinipur district in the state of West Bengal, India. Situated at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal, it is a popular coastal tourist destination known for its low gradient and shallow sand beaches. Referred to as the "Brighton of the East" by Warren Hastings in one of his 1780 letters to his wife, Digha has remained a favored holiday spot for decades. It is West Bengal's most visited sea resort, with beaches that stretch over 7 km.

History

[edit] Digha historically known as Beerkul. An English businessman John Frank Snaith started living here in 1923 and his writings provided a good exposure to this place. He convinced West Bengal Chief Minister Bidhan Chandra Roy to develop this place to be a beach resort. An old church can be seen near the main gate of Old Digha. This place is also known as Alankarpur. A new mission has been developed in New Digha which is known as Sindhur Tara which is beside Amrabati Park. It's a Church where it is possible to wish for the welfare of family and loved ones. The best way to visit is to book a local rickshaw. There are so many places where one can travel which give mental refreshments, like Tajpur, Odisha Border, Science City etc.

Geography

[edit] 8km5milesWest BengalOdishaBay of BengalHJukhiaRDariapurHDihibahiriSPetuaghatFishing HarbourSJunputSMandarmaniSTajpur PortSShankarpurSNew DighaRKharipukuriaRSilaberiaRDepalRDurmutRBaratalaRDholmariRBara BankuyaRJankaRKamardaRKhejuriRMajnaRBhupatinagarRMarishdaRRamnagarRDighaCTKhadalgobraCTBasantiaMContai   Cities and towns in Contai subdivision of Purba Medinipur districtM: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, S: port, sea-beachOwing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly Location[edit] Digha is located at 21°38′18″N 87°30′35″E / 21.6384°N 87.5096°E / 21.6384; 87.5096. It has an average elevation of 6 metres (20 ft). It is 183 km (114 mi) from Kolkata/Howrah via Mecheda and 234 km (145 mi) via Kharagpur, this proximity has probably helped this small hamlet to emerge as a weekend getaway with number of hotels and tourist lodges. Digha is connected to Kolkata/Howrah by a highway and a rail-link via Tamluk. Now many trains including Howrah-Digha Super AC express, Tamralipta express, Kandari express and EMU locals from Santragacchi via Mecheda and Tamluk run between Digha and Howarh and other stations in eastern India.It is also under Contai Sub division. Police stations[edit] Digha police station has jurisdiction over part of Ramnagar I (part) CD Block. It covers an area of 3,153 km2 with a population of 35,054. It is in old Digha. Digha Mohana Coastal police station is in Digha. Urbanisation[edit] 93.55% of the population of Contai subdivision live in the rural areas. Only 6.45% of the population live in the urban areas and it is considerably behind Haldia subdivision in urbanization, where 20.81% of the population live in urban areas. Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Climate

[edit] There are mainly five seasons in Digha, namely summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. Summer starts in April and continues until June with a maximum temperature of 37 °C (99 °F). Although cold wind from the sea keeps the weather pleasant in this time. Next comes monsoon in July and lasts till the end of September. Digha generally experiences an average rainfall with high humidity in the monsoon season. Autumn sets in October and lasts till mid of December with an average temperature of around 25 degree Celsius. The weather remains very pleasant this time. Winter sets in the second half of December and lasts till mid February with an average temperature of 15/16 degree Celsius. The spring season in Digha starts from mid February to mid April.[citation needed] The hotels remain full of their capacity as tourist inflow is the highest in this peak season. Climate data for Digha (1991–2020, extremes 1982–2020) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 32.9(91.2) 36.0(96.8) 38.0(100.4) 41.3(106.3) 42.0(107.6) 39.0(102.2) 37.3(99.1) 36.6(97.9) 37.1(98.8) 38.2(100.8) 34.5(94.1) 32.5(90.5) 42.0(107.6) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25.6(78.1) 28.2(82.8) 31.3(88.3) 32.7(90.9) 33.5(92.3) 33.1(91.6) 32.0(89.6) 31.8(89.2) 32.1(89.8) 31.8(89.2) 29.6(85.3) 26.9(80.4) 30.7(87.3) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13.9(57.0) 18.1(64.6) 22.9(73.2) 25.7(78.3) 26.7(80.1) 27.1(80.8) 26.7(80.1) 26.5(79.7) 26.2(79.2) 23.9(75.0) 19.1(66.4) 14.5(58.1) 22.6(72.7) Record low °C (°F) 7.4(45.3) 8.8(47.8) 12.6(54.7) 17.9(64.2) 18.3(64.9) 20.8(69.4) 20.4(68.7) 21.4(70.5) 21.0(69.8) 15.8(60.4) 9.8(49.6) 8.4(47.1) 7.4(45.3) Average rainfall mm (inches) 15.8(0.62) 20.4(0.80) 27.8(1.09) 52.7(2.07) 153.9(6.06) 279.9(11.02) 276.1(10.87) 329.9(12.99) 331.9(13.07) 222.7(8.77) 42.5(1.67) 6.0(0.24) 1,759.6(69.28) Average rainy days 1.1 1.3 1.8 3.5 6.2 10.2 13.7 14.1 12.1 7.5 1.8 0.6 73.9 Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 70 72 73 78 79 81 83 83 81 78 73 70 77 Source: India Meteorological Department

Transport

[edit] Bus service[edit] There is frequent bus service to Digha from Dharmatala, Baruipur Garia and Joka bus stand of Kolkata, Burdwan, Bolpur, Siliguri, Asansol, Kirnahar, Baharampur, Serampore, Tarakeswar and many other parts of West Bengal. Buses are available from Howrah as well, a connection has been made from Sealdah to Digha where a private bus arrives at 8:30 am throughout the week. It takes the shortest route from Sealdah connecting S.N Banerjee road, Taltala, Wellington, Dharmatala to Howrah station, it departs from Howrah Station within 5 min to Digha. Digha is connected to Kolkata Metropolitan Area with E17 (Barasat), E17/1 (Barasat), E19 (Habra), E19D (Dumdum station), E45 (Joka), E46 (Saltlake Karunamoyee), E54 (Sreerampore), E55 (Madhyamgram), E56 (Baduria), ACT5 (Barasat), ACT8 (Habra), ACT9 (Saltlake Karunamoyee), ST31 (Dharmatala) etc. Train service[edit] In 2004, train services have started for Digha railway station (Station Code : DGHA). Now there are three new trains from Howrah Station too. Train Name Start <-> Destination Tamralipta Express HWH <-> DGHA Paharia Express NJP <-> DGHA Vishakapatnam - Digha SF Express VSKP <-> DGHA Kandari Express HWH <-> DGHA Malda Town - Digha Express MLDT <-> DGHA Asansol - Digha Express ASN <-> DGHA Puri Digha Superfast Express Puri <-> DGHA Mecheda Local MCA <-> DGHA Panskura Local PKU <-> DGHA Air[edit] Digha Heliport

Area

[edit] Hotels at Talasari, New Digha Road, Gadadharpur, Purba Medinipur. Digha's old beach is not as wide as it used to be due to heavy soil erosion. Big stones and concrete steps are used to hold together the beach. The record number of storm surges have caused many of the unplanned shacks and smaller hotels to succumb to the sea. Since it is one of very few popular beaches in West Bengal, it gets overcrowded, especially during the cooler winter break.[citation needed] A new beach has been developed "New Digha" which is about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the old beach. This new beach is bigger than the old one.[citation needed] It is not surrounded by a congested locality like the older beach. The latest attraction of New Digha is the Science Centre established by the National Council of Science Museums. The entire stretch of the Digha seaface from Old Digha to New Digha is filled with casuarina plantations.[citation needed]

Places of interest

[edit] Marine Aquarium and Research Centre (MARC)[edit] It was established in the year 1989 during the Seventh Five Year Plan. The major objective of the Centre is to display the marine biodiversity of the region and impart its values to the common people and to carryout the research activities. Jagannath Dham, Digha[edit] The Jagannath Temple, Digha is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, located in the coastal town of Digha, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. The temple enshrines the deities Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The temple was inaugurated on 30 April 2025 after a prana pratishtha (consecration) ceremony. The temple is sacred to the Vaishnava tradition of Hindus and has been constructed as a replica of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, along with Sudarshan, will be worshipped as deities in the temple. Shiva Temple At Chandaneswar[edit] This place is only 8 km (5.0 mi) away from Digha the century-old Temple of Shiva at Chandaneswar, near Bengal and Orissa Border. Chandaneswar is part of Odisha. During the Bengali month of Chaitra, an annual fair is organised here. Nearly half million people and pilgrims visit the temple. Digha Gate[edit] Main article: Digha Gate Digha Gate is an entrance gate built on the National Highway 116B. The gate is also known as the Gateway of Digha and the Digha Welcome Gate. It is shaped like a fishing boat and painted blue and white. The gate is illuminated at night.

Digha

Beyond the Sunbathers

Seasonal Shifts and the Best Time to Stay

A Comparative Coastal Lens