On the banks of Ichhamati

Machhranga Island (Kingfisher Island)

Description: A lush green island situated in the midst of the mighty river Ichhamati in Taki, Hasnabad of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, which has India on one side and Bangladesh on the other. 

Located at a distance of about 80km from Kolkata, Kingfisher Island can be reached by a 30mins boat ride from Taki ferry ghat , providing a panoramic view of Ichhamati  river. 

Way to Golpatar Jungle

Though some parts of the island have been destroyed by the river, one can have a short walk through the beautiful green fields of the island and have a spectacular view of the confluence of the three rivers; Ichhamati, Kalindi and Bidyadhari.

 Some villages of Bangladesh can also be seen from this island. To add to this, the boat ride on the river is the cherry on the cake.

Nearby attractions: Taki, 80 kms from Kolkata, is the nearby town to the island,situated on the banks of the river Ichhamati. It has the old remains of the zamindar houses, ramkrishna mission, Kuleshwari Kali Temple, 300 years old Jora Shib Mandir, Golpatar Jungle and General Shankar Roy Chowdhury’s adi bari. Golpatar jungle, created by the municipality is locally referred to as mini sundarbans due to the presence of mangrove trees sundari and golpata.

Taki Rajbari  remains

Zamindar House remains

Sunrise in Taki

Ichhamati River 

How to reach: Machhranga Island can be reached either by a motor boat or a launch from Taki ferry ghat. Motor boats can be hired for a one hour ride at a cost of rupees 600 to 800 while the launch provides service for a fare of rs.50 per head. To reach Taki, Hasnabad in North 24 Parganas, both rail and road services are available. Local trains are available from Sealdah station to Hasnabad junction, which is a two hours journey and from there local transports can be availed to reach Taki. By car, one can reach Taki either from science city(about 75km) through Ghatakpukur via Basanti Highway to take the Basirhat-Malancha road(approx  2.5hours) or take the Taki road from Barasat Chapadali crossing then reach Berachapa, Trimohini crossing and then Taki Thuba(approx 3hours).

Eco Park,Taki

Ideal time to visit: The best time to visit Kingfisher Island or Taki is during the Durga Puja , where one can see the immersion of idols from both the countries in the middle of the Ichhamati river. Also, winter season is an ideal time for visiting Taki as one can spend the lazy afternoons near the river side. However, the rainy season must be avoided.

Lodging and food: Taki, being a perfect weekend tourist destination provides lodging facilities facing the Ichhamati river in guest houses like Suhasini Guest House, Nripendra Atithishala(Ph No.: 03217233328) and Bidhan Saikat II(Ph No.: 9635706066/7602628877). There are two more guest houses; Amrapali Guest House and Bagan Bari,which are a bit distant from the riverside.

Taki is an ideal place for fish lovers especially Hilsa fish. As this place is located near Bangladesh, one gets the chance of tasting the mouth watering “ Padmar Ilish”.

   

Some more pictures of Taki :

     

Eco Park,Taki

 

For more photos of Taki and Machhranga Island go to the link belowhttps://plus.google.com/collection/ImWMXB