Gadiara - Where Mornington Fort was build to guard Calcutta

In the 18th century, the British build a fort at this place to guard the entrance of British Colony, Calcutta against river pirates. However the Mornington Fort got ruined in the devastating flood of 1942. It is situated at the confluence of the Hooghly and Rupnarayan Rivers. You can still see some ruins of the old fort built during the rule of Lord Clive mostly submerged in the river. A good place for a day’s outing.

Gadiara River Banks

This small town in Howrah District of West Bengal, India.

Gadiara. 

It is hardly 80–90 km from Calcutta and there are frequent bus services both private and state-owned (CSTC), from Esplanade, Kolkata.

Savor the spectacular sunrise and sunset over the vast expanse of water. Take a walk along the riverside and spend some quality time taking a boat ride on the river. Idling along the river bank and taking lazy village walks are the best things to do here. You can even take a ferry ride and visit another beautiful tourist attraction known as “Geonkhali" located across the river. Geonkhali Water Treatment Plant is worth mentioning at Geonkhali.

There is a small lighthouse installed in Gadiara.

Lighthouse in Gadiara

How To Reach

You can drive to Bagnan and then take left. Cross the rail over bridge and head towards Shyampur to reach the destination. Gadiara is 8 kms from Shyampur and 33 kms from Bagnan. If you are driving along the Durgapur Expressway from Kolkata, then it will take around 1 hr to reach Bagnan from Kolkata. 

Kolkata - Gadiara Road Map

Salap More NH6

Mumbai Road

If you want to avail train services, then board a local train from Howrah heading to Kolaghat, Mecheda, Panskura or Kharagpur that will drop you at Bagnan Station. You can catch a bus from Bagnan to Shyampur. You would get auto rickshaws from Shyampur to Gadiara.

Click here to get the train time table from Howrah to Bagnan.

Bagnan Railway Station

Bagnan Bus Stand

Bagnan Rail Over Bridge

There are also direct buses leaving Kolkata from Dalhousie (Esplanade) – opposite to KC Das Sweet shop for Gadiara.

Esplanade, Kolkata

There is another way of reaching Gadiara through ferry services from Nurpur. There are direct buses from Esplanade to Nurpur too.

Noorpur - Gadiara Ferry Route

Gadiara River Banks

Gadiara Ferry Ghat

Accommodation at Gadiara

Gariara offers various guest houses and hotels where tourists can enjoy their stay with all the latest amenities available. Majority of hotels stand in front of the river and a few are positioned close to the bus stop. There are also some other hotels that are located in isolation in the midst of nature next to the river. As per the budget and preference of rooms one can choose from simple rooms to deluxe air-conditioned rooms. Gadiara has 2 nice hotels- New Chalantika tourist lodge and the Rupnarayan Tourist lodge. 

It has 2 good hotels, the government owned Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge and the New Chalantika Tourist Lodge:

New Chalantika Tourist Lodge:

This hotel offers lip-smacking meals and AC rooms. The rooms offer magnificent views. One can savor in good Indian delicacies at quite affordable prices. One can also enjoy the local fast food by visiting the stalls located close to the bus stop. 

Facilities:

• Friendly staff

• Vast complex   

• Located at the river side bus stop

• A big garden which is well-maintained

• A private pond which is available for fishing

Contact Details:

Address: Gadiara, Howrah, Pin code: 711314

Phone number: (03214) 26 3108 and 09732583213(mobile)

Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge:

Here basic accommodation can be available at reasonable rates. This lodge is owned by the West Bengal Government and hence it offers top-quality services to the tourists. Some of the facilities offered at this lodge are:

• Situated adjacent to the river

• Multicuisine restaurant

• Bar

• Picnic spaces (Both open and shed)

• Spacious rooms

• Cordial staff

• Popular Bengali cuisines like- Topse Macher Bora, Alu bhaja and Pona Macher jhol are one of the top Bengali dishes that one can savor at this lodge. 

• Situated near the railway station

Contact Details:

Address: P.O. Dakshin Shibpur, Gadiara, Howrah, Pin code: 711314

Phone number: (03214) 26 3125

Click here to book Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge.

Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge - Main Gate

Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge

Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge - Dining Hall

Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge - Garden

Rupnarayan Tourist Lodge - Garden

There are also a few guest houses in Gadiara which have gardens full of fresh vegetables. Tourists are permitted to choose their preferred vegetable from these gardens and get them cooked.

A video from a recent bike trip :

Video Channel Courtesy : One Living Life