Digha

Digha (Bengali: দীঘা Dīghā, pronounced DEE-g^hah) is one of the most popular seaside destinations in West Bengal. Once a small fishing hamlet, Digha has emerged as a weekend getaway with numerous hotels and eateries. People from Kolkata and sourrounding cities flock around the beaches during the holiday.

Digha has also been developed as a minor pilgrimage site in the 2020s with a Jagannath temple, earning the town the nickname "Second Puri".

Historically known as Beercool (বীরকুল Bīrkul), Digha has been known for its climate and natural beauty since the late 18th century. Warren Hastings called Beercool the "Brighton of the East" in a letter to his wife in 1780. Beercool then became popular among the British back then, and the Bengal Gazette published in 1781 even mentions a scheme for developing the place as a modern city. However, the popularity of Beercool got diminished around 1823, and the bungalow of Hastings eventually disappeared into the Bay of Bengal.

A century later, Calcutta-based English businessman John Frank Smith rediscovered the place in 1923 after examining the old documents, and he convinced the Bengal government to develop Digha to be a beach resort. A scheme to develop the place was approved in 1956.

Digha is divided into two localities: New Digha and Old Digha. Old Digha covers the original seaside destination, and its beach has been narrowed due to heavy soil erosion. Big stones and concrete steps are used to hold together the beach.

New Digha is the newly-developed locality, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the old beach. The new beach is wider, and is lined with hotels and shops. The entire stretch between the two localities are covered by Casuarina equisetifolia plantations, locally called jhāubon (ঝাউবন, literally "tamarisk forest") for their similarity with Tamarix indica.

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 °C (77 °F). 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 °C (59–61 °F). The spring is the most enjoyable season in Digha starting from mid February to mid April. The hotels remain full of their capacity as tourist inflow is the highest in this peak season.

Since Digha is near the border of West Bengal and Odisha, both Bengali and Odia are understood by the locals, so having a knowledge of any one of the two languages can be useful to communicate with them. However, Bengali is more useful in Digha as Bengali signs are more common.

There are three bus stands in Digha:

• 21.6271187.499931 Digha Bus Stand. The main one.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.62403487.5217632 Old Digha Bus Stand.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.62155287.507053 SBSTC Bus Stand, New Digha.  (updated Sep 2026)

There are frequent bus services to Digha from Kolkata, including Esplanade, Baruipur, Garia and Joka. Buses from Garia run from 4:00AM–8:30AM and there is also an afternoon bus service from the same state transport depot. Service is regular and residents of Jadavpur, Tollygunge and Sonarpur can easily use the good service.

There are also bus services from Asansol, Bardhaman, Berhampore, Bolpur, Serampore, Siliguri and Tarakeswar. Buses are available from Howrah as well, a connection has been made from Sealdah to Digha where a private bus arrives at 8:30AM throughout the week. It takes the shortest route from Sealdah connecting SN Banerjee Rd, Taltala, Wellington, Esplanade to Howrah station, it departs from Howrah station within 5 minutes to Digha.

• 21.622987.50824 Digha  SE  (code: DGHA). A small terminus with three platforms, and a part of the South Eastern Line of the Kolkata Suburban Railway. You should make reservations in advance for weekends, national holidays and sessions like Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas etc. For train timings, check out the Indian Railways website.  (updated Sep 2026)

Other than local trains, there are a few express trains to Digha.

• From Asansol:
  • 13506 Asansol–Digha Express (5:40AM) — Contains mostly general coaches (GEN), along with one sitting and luggage (SLRD) coach at each side, and one reserved second sitting coach.
• From Howrah:
  • 12857 Tamralipta Express (6:45AM) — Contains two general coaches (GEN) at each side, along with AC 3-tier, AC 3-tier economy, AC chair car, sleeper, second sitting, and sitting and luggage (SLRD) coaches.
  • 22897 Kandari Express (3PM) — It uses the same rake of the Tamralipta Express.
• From Malda:
  • 13418 Malda Town–Digha Express (7:45AM) — Contains one sitting and luggage (SLRD) coach at each sides, along with AC 3-tier, sleeper and chair car coaches.
• From New Jalpaiguri:
  • 15722 Paharia Express (7:50PM) — The only train in West Bengal connecting the sea to the Himalayas, with a stop to Howrah. It contains two general coaches (GEN) at each side, along with first-class, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, AC 3-tier economy, sleeper, and sitting and luggage (SLRD) coaches.
• From Puri:
  • 22890 Samudra Kanya Express (9:05PM) — The only train connecting Eastern India's two popular coastal destinations. Contains two general coaches (GEN) at each side, along with AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper, and sitting and luggage (SLRD) coaches.
• From Visakhapatnam:
  • 22874 Visakhapatnam–Digha Superfast Express (3:35PM) — Contains two general coaches (GEN) at each side, along with AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper, and sitting and luggage (SLRD) coaches.

Travelling to Digha by road has become easier, promoting tourism in Digha and the surrounding beaches. The roads are excellent and you can easily reach Digha from Kolkata in 4 hours of sedate driving.

Route: From Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu and Kona Expressway take the NH-16 (old NH-6) till Kolaghat -> take a left turn on NH-116 (old NH-41) excellent roads till Nandkumar -> right turn on state highway all the way to Digha, via towns of Contai and Ramnagar.

En route decent toilet facilities and food is available at Ruk Zaraa (Kolaghat), Sher-e-Punjab (Kolaghat), Express Food Plaza (Kolaghat), Sher Bengal (Mecheda) etc.

Auto-rickshaws are everywhere in Digha, replacing the older cycle rickshaws. They can be booked for touring around Digha and nearby places like Chandaneswar, Mandarmani, Shankarpur and Tajpur.

Like rest of West Bengal, you can also find totos (electric rickshaws) in town. A toto trip between New Digha and Old Digha costs around ₹15-20 per person.

The main attraction of Digha is of course, the beaches in and around the town. Except Shankarpur and Talasari, all other beaches are easily accessible from the hotels in Old Digha and New Digha. Some Digha tourists even explore the beaches afield, which are listed at #Go next.

• 21.6188287.506451 New Digha Beach. One of the most popular beaches in West Bengal, and the best place for a safe dip. The beach here is flat and it gets overcrowded, especially during the cooler winter break. Beer is generally served at the beach by the enterprising locals who would accept payment later by coming with you to your hotel. Beware, they may ask a high price for beer. Other activities in the beach include horse riding, sunbathing, volleyball, cricket, football etc.  (updated Mar 2023)
• 21.62287.5242 Old Digha Beach (2 km (1.2 mi) from New Digha). The original beach, popular among older generations. However, Old Digha is not safe and conducive for bathing. It 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.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.6293187.544723 Mohana Beach. A less-visited beach at the estuary of the Champa River. There's a fish market at the beach.  (updated Mar 2023)
• 21.6043587.461064 Talasari Beach (4 km (2.5 mi) from New Digha). There is a river by the beach. It gets submerged with high tide. The river gets dried up twice a day. Again it gets filled with water once there is high tide. Once you cross the river using ferry boats you will reach the beach. The beach is quiet and the sea is calm. You can easily take a bath in the sea. You can move around the beach and listen to the breeze. You may also take a boat ride if necessary.  (updated Mar 2023)

• 21.6241887.5104055 Shri Jagannath Temple (জগন্নাথ মন্দির Jogonnāth Mondir), SH 57, New Digha (next to Digha  SE ). The newly-built temple in New Digha, built in 2022-2025 to rival the Jagannath Dham in Puri. Like the Puri temple, this temple is also built in the Kalinga architecture, with a blend of the Nagara architecture.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.62151587.5193856 Masir Bari (মাসির বাড়ি Māsir Bāṛi). The Digha counterpart of Puri's Gundicha Temple, used in Digha Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival).  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.621787.49677 Digha Science Centre & National Science Camp, NH 316A. 8AM-8PM. A microcosm of the Science City of Kolkata, with interactive exhibits, science camps and a planetarium. ₹40.  (updated Feb 2026)
• 21.62190987.5012828 New Digha Marine Centre, Jahaz Bari, NH 316A.  (updated Feb 2026)

• 21.62305887.4938081 Digha Auditorum.  (updated Feb 2026)

Ratha Yatra (রথযাত্রা Rothojātrā, literally "Chariot Journey") is Digha's main religious festival. It was launched in 2025 to rival Puri's iconic Ratha Yatra. On the first day, Jagannath and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra are transported in chariots (রথ roth) from the Jagannath Temple to Masir Bari. They remain in chariots on the first day and enter Masir Bari on the second day. These deities return to the original temple after seven days, known as "Ulto Rath" (উল্টোরথ Ulṭōroth), meaning "reverse Ratha Yatra".

• 21.623287.50412 Amarabati Park.  
• 21.62323387.5259013 Biswa Bangla Park, Old Digha. A park developed in 2015 with the iconic "Biswa Bangla" (World Bengal) globe. The globe depicted the location of West Bengal in the world with the Bengali letter "ব" (from "বঙ্গ" or "বাংলা", meaning "Bengal"). Sadly, the globe was removed after the 2026 state election for political reasons, as Biswa Bangla has become a symbol of the 2011–2026 Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime. Nonetheless, the park still remains as one of the few green spaces in Old Digha.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.6165687.498454 Dheusagar (ঢেউসাগর Ḍheusāgar). A large seaside space with activities like boating and bungee jumping.  (updated Jan 2025)
• 21.6273487.502755 Kajal Dighi. A pond with toy train (miniature railway) rides.  (updated Dec 2022)

• Cashew nuts: There is a cashew nut farm in Digha so varieties of cashew nuts are available.
• Hand woven mats made of hemp. These mats are called Madur in Bengali and the colourful Madurs of Midnapore are famous.
• Jewellery made with Hyderabadi Pearls.
• Ornaments and Curios made of sea shells.

• 21.63036787.543441 Digha Mohana Fish Market. Buy fresh fish here.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.62394687.5229392 Nehru Market, SH 57, Old Digha.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.61862687.5046233 New Digha Market.  (updated Sep 2026)

The famous 'Hinger Kochuri' is a famous breakfast of Digha. There are many stalls and sweet shops all over Digha which offers this delicious breakfast.

There are many cheap "rice hotels" all over Digha, serving cheap, but good quality Bengali dishes. There are some more expensive restaurants where continental food is available. In an average restaurant, a vegetarian meal is available for ₹35-45, Bengali fish curry-rice is available for ₹25-35. A meal with egg curry-rice is available around ₹45.

Another great idea would be to just buy the staple vegetarian fare at the hotel you are staying and have it delivered to your room. You can buy fresh fishes like ilish, pomfret, parshe and prawns from Mohona, Digha fish market in the morning and have it cooked at the numerous "Dada-Boudi" joints around Sea Hawk. Have this fish with your standard vegetarian lunch or dinner.

In the evening look for fried fish, crabs and prawns on the sea front in Digha.

Those who are fussy about the quality of cooking, have transport at their command and are looking for tasty fish preparations should go and have lunch at Shankarpur, they prepare the fish much better than at the rest of Digha. The quality at Shankarpur is comparable to the splurge dining in Kolkata but is comparatively cheaper and the fish as fresh as you can demand. The trouble of travelling would be well compensated.

• Pabitra Hotel, New Digha (5 min walk from bus stand along main road), ☏ +91 96 471 66166, pabitrahoteldigha@gmail.com.  
• 21.6177587.5017781 Mitra Cafe, New Digha.  (updated Sep 2026)

• Alcohol — There are many bars and liquor shops in Digha serving all sorts of hard drinks, but the liquor shops close around 7PM. If you want to buy a drink after the shops are closed, some guys in front of the shops will provide alcohol at higher prices (potentially black bargaining).
• Coconut water (ডাবের জল ḍāber jol) is very cheap here. A single green coconut (ডাব ḍāb) costs around ₹10-20 and the water is sweet and refreshing. The green coconut vendors move with their tricycles all along the Sea Beach. There are also green coconut vendors which provide seating facilities near the beach.

Always avoid the hotel-agents at the Digha station as their hotels are very far from the beach. It is better to consult the autowallahs for better lodging facilities (they take commissions from the hotel guys).

• 21.62299987.5020321 Digha Youth Hostel, NH 316A, New Digha, ☏ +91 33 2248 0626. Bookings can be done at the Directorate of Youth Services, 32/1, B.B.D. Bagh (South), Kolkata. Doubles with attached baths are ₹225 per day.  (updated Feb 2026)
• Hotel Kamala Residency, New Digha, ☏ +91 32 2026 6154. Breakfast included. Restaurant in hotel. Double non A/C rooms ₹900. Double A/C room ₹1,500 and triple with A/C ₹1,800. 
• Hotel Rajmahal. A less expensive yet quality hotel with restaurant near to sea beach. ₹500-1,500. 
• 21.623687.51982 Hotel Sea Bird, Old Digha Main Rd, NH 116B, ☏ +91 3220 266322.  
• 21.621487.50513 Hotel Suman's, ☏ +91 32 2026 6471, +91 32 2026 6271. A very homely accommodation at New Digha, close to sea beach. Tariff from ₹200. Walking distance from Railway Station and Bus Stand.  
• Minakshi and Taranga (Benfish Tourist Lodges), ☏ +91 3210-225225. A/C double bed rooms. ₹550, non-A/C doubles ₹250, dormitory with 5 beds ₹250. 
• Ownland Hotel & Resort, Sibalay Road, Old Digha, ☏ +91 943 201 5692. Spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, pool & table tennis, banquet hall, aquarium, Babylon (roof top), disco lounge: Impulse, multi-cuisine restaurant ₹800-₹2500. 
• Sandpiper Guest House, Barristers' Colony (opposite Hotel Sea Coast), ☏ +91 33 2475 3441. Eight rooms, all having uninterrupted sea views and each capable of sleeping 4 adults. En suite bathrooms, marble flooring, multi-cuisine restaurant, secure car parking. ₹7000 upwards. 
• Tanrango Lahori. Transport available from station. From ₹150 (varies with season).. 
• 21.60608287.461484 Panthasala (6 km (3.7 mi) from Digha Railway Station), ☏ +91 6781 232 528. Run by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. Rooms ₹250-650, Dormitory ₹70.  

• 21.62446387.5200525 Hotel Santiniketan Digha, ☏ +91 8653978373. ₹1,000 standard non-A/C rooms ₹1,700 for triple A/C deluxe room.  
• 21.625587.52976 Hotel Sea Coast, Barrister Colony, Old Digha, ☏ +91 933 100 6392. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11.45. Conference room, centralised A/C, bar & multi-cuisine restaurant, sea facing rooms & family rooms also available. ₹6,000 - ₹8,000.  
• 21.624487.52937 Hotel Sea Hawk. One of the few places in town that doesn't hike up their prices as demand increases. Food is moderately good and room services standard. From ₹2500 for a ground-floor sea-facing double up to ₹6,500 for an A/C double bed.  
• 21.625787.53098 Hotel Seagull, Barrister colony, Old Digha, ☏ +91 32 2026 7195, +91 933 193 6900. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. Excellent views, good service, ask for a room in the new building. Rooms available from ₹2,300 for non-sea facing rooms up to ₹15,800 for royal suite. ₹2,300 for non sea facing A/C rooms.  
• Hotel Surf Ride, Economic Hotel Sector, ☏ +91 9874559200, booking@kimberleyhotels.in.  
• 21.62458187.5027839 Hotel Utopia Digha, Forest Bungalow Road, Gobindabasan, Khadalgobra, ☏ +91 8653978373, info@utopiadigha.com. With sea and forest views. TV, air-con, and free wi-fi in the rooms. Free parking. From ₹800 standard rooms ₹1,500 for an A/C double bed.  

• 21.625887.526210 Dighali - I Tourism Property I (Digha Tourist Lodge), SH 57, Old Digha, ☏ +91 97325 10134, toll-free: +1 800 212 1655, dighatouristlodge@gmail.com. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹2,600–4,200.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.62342787.51420711 Dighali - II Tourism Property (Digha Tourist Lodge), SH 57, New Digha, ☏ +91 96741 55851, dighatouristlodge2@gmail.com. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹3,200–3,500.  
• 21.6307687.5228812 The Palm Resort, Shibalaya Rd, Old Digha, ☏ +91 3220 267076, +91 98309 37570. Swimming pool, free parking, power back-up. Double deluxe INR 1800 to deluxe executive INR 4500.  

• Electric torches or emergency lamps can help in case of temporary power outages, which are frequent during the summer. However, most of the hotels in Digha have their own backup generators, so if you don't bring a torch, you'll probably be fine.
• Mosquito repellent — this is a must for visitors. Most shops in Digha sell repellent.
• Safety at Sea. The sea becomes rough to very rough during high tide, especially during the new and full moon. It is unsafe to swim during high tide. There is a sea wall which protects Old Digha from erosion, and it is also unsafe to cross the wall during high tide. Most of Digha has No Swim warnings which you should mind. Always obey the commands of the khaki Coast Guards if you want to swim safely.

• 21.62357787.5160871 Digha State General Hospital. The only hospital in coastal Purba Medinipur.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 21.62365587.5204012 Digha Police Station, ☏ +91 3220 266 222, ocdighaps@gmail.com.  (updated Feb 2026)
• 21.63029687.5408613 Digha Mohana Coastal Police Station, ☏ +91 3220 266 123, ocdighamohanacoastalps@gmail.com.  (updated Feb 2026)

• Shankarpur (10 km (6.2 mi) from Digha) —
• Tajpur (17 km (11 mi) from Digha) —
• Mandarmani (26 km (16 mi) from Digha) —

• Chandaneswar (6 km (3.7 mi) from Digha) —
• Puri (345 km (214 mi) from Digha) — a pilgrimage spot with the Jagannath Temple, also famous for its beaches.