Orange hues of the setting sun, busy painting the horizons; gentle waves of the waters swaying the rickety boats and often spotted silhouettes of odd poles used for fishing and anchoring boats. If this is what you are looking to experience over a relaxed weekend, head to Chupi Char, located in Purba Bardhaman near Kolkata.
Writing from a personal experience, the overall journey was quite an exciting one. We started in the morning from Kolkata, and we decided to drive the whole trip. We arrived at around mid-morning after stopping over at the highway for breakfast. Upon arrival, we are welcomed by our host and taken to our booked cottage. Just as promised, our cottage is located amidst a mango orchard adjacent to the lake. Since its peak winters there are no mangoes to be spotted. But wondered how the summers would be, the smell of ripe mangoes sipping through the air – simply mesmerising.
Upon arrival, we take a stroll around the area, from the mango orchard to the lake bed. We click a host of photos to be treasured as memories. Our fun time is followed by lunch at the thatched dining area. It’s a simple Bengali thali comprising boiled rice, dal, veg fritters, mix sabzi, maachher jhal (rich fish curry), chatni and papad. After relaxing a bit, we hop onto a pre-booked boat and set sail for our afternoon boat ride.
Our boatman is a dear local ‘dada’ who doubles up as a tour guide. He takes us around the 9 km wide lake and helps us identify several species of birds that flock to this lake during winter. We cruise through as we remain a silent witness to thousands of dragonflies that flutter over the water. Our dada’s dexterity with his rows is awesome. He helps us spot a host of birds. Likes include red-crested pochards, sandpipers, egrets, common ducks, herons, swamphens and pygmy goose. He is kind; rows us through certain points from where we can take good photos. Well, I am not a professional photographer, nor a good one (I use my phone to capture photos), but this place is definitely a specialised bird photographers’ paradise or a birder’s paradise.
After a few hours of rowing, we see the sun gradually going down the horizon, setting ablaze the sky with a tangerine hue. As we prepare to head back, we see the tangerine hues give way to red and slight purple tinges in the sky. And finally, by the time our boat gets anchored, we see a crescent moon along with a few twinkling stars. It’s almost the end of December, mind you, it gets dark by 5.30 pm. Darkness has increased the chill in the air considerably. We head to our cottage.
Evening is spent relaxing around a bonfire, chit-chatting and gobbling on pakoras accompanied by some piping hot tea. After a sumptuous dinner comprising a hearty chicken meal, we call it a day.
The next day, we start early in the morning to taste some freshly brewed khejur rosh or date juice. Then take a walk around the village of Purbasthali and spot some mustard fields blossoming with yellow flowers. The sun goes up bright in the sky – a sign it’s time to head back.
- Where is Chupi Char?
Chupi Char or the oxbow lake, is located in East Burdwan or Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is roughly 130 kilometres away from Kolkata. Purbasthali is the nearest railway station. Once you de-board at the station, you can take a battery rikshaw known as ‘toto’ and arrive at your destination.
- Why should you visit Chupi Char?
If you are looking to get a short break from life’s daily grind, just for a day, it’s one of the best-kept secrets. And if you are a birder, then Chupi Char is your paradise. Observe birds, village and vegetation and soak in the beauty of nature.
- When should you visit?
Well, winters are definitely the ideal time to visit. October to March are the best months to explore the locality. Summers would be terribly hot with almost no migratory birds to be spotted, and monsoons are best avoided owing to over-flooding of the lake.
If you are looking for a beautiful and relaxed weekend getaway near Kolkata for a day, Chupi Char can be a great option.
Photos : Google
By Sampurna Majumdar
Sampurna Majumder is a communications professional born and raised in Kolkata. Fascinated by creativity from a young age, she has a deep love for music, literature, and world cinema. An avid reader and traveler, she holds a Master’s degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.
