Mandarmani

India

Mandarmani Mandarmani (or Mandarmoni, Mandarbani) is a beach resort in Southwest Bengal in India.

There are several trains with different timing. There is one train from Howrah to Digha around 2-3 PM. and another around early in the morning. After one reach Digha one have to take or hire a vehicle like maruti and stuff which would take one to Mandarmani. It takes around 45 minutes to reach there. While the journey takes place, you can feel little unsafe looking at the road side darkness, but no need to worry; actually the locality hardly have electricity so they avoid going out after it gets dark.

Playful people with sea waves. May 2015.

  • The beach – Most people are here to hang out at the beach. The waves tend to be calm and the water is often dotted with a few fisherman going about their daily routine.
  • The Delta – At the end of the beach, there is the mohana or river delta (place where a river meets the sea). There are some fishing settlements nearby.

This place is about 5-6 km from the main part of the beach where most of the hotels/resorts are located and is really beautiful with a scenic backdrop. On one side of the river there are dense jhau trees, while on the other side is the fishing village. A bit further from the village on the other bank of the river is some dense vegetation. It is not realistic to attempt to cross over to the other side and go into this forest as it is actually quite distant, despite appearing to be quite close.

You can watch the fishermen standing or wading through knee deep water laying their nets or catching fish and crabs.

Red crabs are visible over a large stretch of the beach near the Mohana.

However, try to avoid this place after dark as it becomes very isolated and you will not find any people, local or outsiders.
  • Tajpur Beach.
  • One can visit the nearby temples and other sight scenes if interested. For that you have to book a "toto", a small vehicle; or you can hire a "bhatbhati" by asking the locals.

The beach – Most people are here to hang out at the beach. The waves tend to be calm and the water is often dotted with a few fisherman going about their daily routine.

The Delta – At the end of the beach, there is the mohana or river delta (place where a river meets the sea). There are some fishing settlements nearby.

Tajpur Beach.

Relax, swim and enjoy the beach. You can roam everywhere. It is unlikely that anybody will disturb your privacy and the beauty of this beach is that you are not likely to have many other visitors around. Activities include fishing, table tennis, carrom, beach cricket, beach volleyball, and boat cruises. Sunbathing is best from October to February. However, this beach is not frequented by foreign tourists and so if you plan to sunbath here, be sure to keep in mind the local culture.

  • ATV Bikes You can enjoy the ride of ATV Bikes with pilot on the long beach
  • Jet Ski Enjoy the ride on Jet ski with pilot, surf the sea. feels amazing
  • Banana Boat Its a ride on sea with several people sitting on a banana shaped boat
  • Bumpy Rides Its a ride on waves, feels bumpy
  • Bungee Trampoline Jump on Trampoline with rubber ropes attached to you

ATV Bikes You can enjoy the ride of ATV Bikes with pilot on the long beach

Jet Ski Enjoy the ride on Jet ski with pilot, surf the sea. feels amazing

Banana Boat Its a ride on sea with several people sitting on a banana shaped boat

Bumpy Rides Its a ride on waves, feels bumpy

Bungee Trampoline Jump on Trampoline with rubber ropes attached to you

  • Fresh fish & crabs are sometimes available from the local fishermen.
  • Shells the small shops dotting the beach also sell small knick-knacks made out of shells and oysters. You can buy shell-necklace and other such stuff. Beach balls, hats, toys, brought from the Kalindi market or Chawalkhola, are also sold.

Fresh fish & crabs are sometimes available from the local fishermen.

Shells the small shops dotting the beach also sell small knick-knacks made out of shells and oysters. You can buy shell-necklace and other such stuff. Beach balls, hats, toys, brought from the Kalindi market or Chawalkhola, are also sold.

Most of the resorts serve typical Bengali food and Kolkata-style Chinese cuisine. However, food is a bit costly since most of the items have to be brought from far away Kalindi/Contai market. The local raw materials available in the nearby village will not usually serve the requirements of the hotels or resorts.

Also, do not expect very high quality food as the hotels usually employ local people without much expertise as cooks. However, the food is hygienic and generally clean. Crab and prawn preparations are worth savouring. But negotiate the price beforehand.

The beach also has a number of small eateries which sell tea and snacks. If you want to have meals from here, you have to place an order with the owners beforehand. These eateries make the food only 'on-demand' as per prior bookings from customers. With these stalls, you may have to compromise on the hygiene. Costs are again on the higher side.

From the eateries you can borrow chairs to sit on the beach.

Note : Food is very expensive. Approx ₹500/- per day per head.

Green coconut water is sold by the local farmers. You can get a limited variety of alcohol from the shops near the beach, but be sure to dispose of the containers properly rather than littering the beach. Also be informed that the alcohol is exorbitantly costly, and in some cases almost double the normal market price. Beer is approximately ₹80 for a 650 ml bottle or can.

Reportedly some resorts dump solid waste into the ocean, which you may want to consider before heading out for a swim. The report may be wrong because any solid material dumped in the sea ultimately returned by the sea and make a line of debris at high tide line which is not visible. But every tourist should take care of their health. Don't go in the sea beyond hip level water for your own safety.

Please remember to carry any essential medicines if visiting the area as there are very limited sources of potential supply in an emergency.