A trip to Digha- Bay Queen of Bengal
It was a long due visit. I had caught only a fleeting glimpse of her during one of my official visits a year back. It was just a glance at her exquisite beauty but it was so mesmeric that it left a profound imprint on my heart and mind. I was completely devoured by its beauty. Ever since, my eyes had a tryst with her pristine and exquisite beauty, my heart has been restless with immense craving for meeting her and spend some time in her rejuvenating, enlivening and soothing arms. I am talking about none other but Digha, the pristine and divine sea beach on the southern flank of West Bengal, which is fondly called the Bay Queen of Bengal; Digha, where the roaring sea and its enamouring surfs crashing on its shore mesmerise the people, making them forget all the stresses and strains of their life.
Today the time has come when I am going to Digha for two days. I am on my way to Howrah Station to catch a train which will convey me there. Though I could have gone by road also as both rail and road take about three and half hours, but the fascinating landscape of west Bengal having lush green paddy fields, interspersed with numerous gurgling rivers and ponds full of blooming lotus that one comes across in train journey are so captivating and alluring that one just can not resist and he inadvertently goes for a train journey; hypnotized, enchanted and bewitched. So the irresistible is dragging me also towards a train.
Even in this wee hour when the dawn has just broken out and the building lines of Kolkata are still looking blurred, apparently still in slumber in the balmy embrace of the cosy night, the magnificent view of Hubli River and the city, with splendid Howrah station clad in red and yellow, peeping out of the advertisement boards like a newly wedded beautiful bride, is so captivating that one is compelled to stop and spend few moments enchanted looking at the exquisiteness of Kolkata, with Hubli River dazzling in its neck like a diamond necklace, speckled by various beautiful ships and boats like mesmeric pendants.I am at Howrah Station. It is bustling with life. People are coming in droves and loads of passengers are jostling to locate and rush to their destination trains. Sporting my impressive black goggles, donning a panama cap and clad in white T-shirt and blue shorts, I am in total tour mode and exhilarated by the prospects of having two fantastic days at a marvellously charming Digha, I am heading towards Platform 21 where Tamralipto Express will start shortly. I am very anxious. My heart is throbbing. Every second seems too long and difficult in the agonizing wait to reach Digha fast, without further delay. I have boarded the train. The train has chugged out. I have settled down in my window side seat. I am devoured by the excitement.
The sprawling paddy fields speckled by betel farms are enthralling. The pristine sleepy hamlets along the Railway Tracks surrounded by exquisite and captivating palm trees interspersed with banana trees give an unforgettable sight. There are huge ponds full of lotus flowers. The waiter in the train tells me that the whole belt from Howrah to Kharagpur is famous for floriculture and huge quantities of roses are sent across the country and even exported. Now I am crossing Roop Narayan River, which is famous for homing best quality of Hilsa fish which is an important dish in the culinary delights of many fish lovers.
I am now at Digha. It is 10:25 AM. I have put in a good hotel. It is too hot and humid outside. The hotel persons tell me that there is a low tide and the sea has retreated back by about a mile. It will again come back with high tide at about 4 PM when it will be at its full youth and playfulness. I decide to go to Mandarmani Beach, the fledgling beach which is one of the most pristine and divine beaches of India. It takes 45 minutes to go from Digha to Mandarmani. This beach is coming up in a big way. It has the longest drive along beach in India where one can drive upto 13 kms along the beach comprising of untrammelled silty sand.
I am at Rose Valley Resort, Mandarmani. This virgin beach which is still under stage of development is already surrounded by large number of resorts on its coast line. It offers a haven of peace and serenity away from the bustle of the city life. Lolling on the beach, listening to the roaring sound of the waves breaking on the shore, I forget my all stresses and my all bustling pressure has been driven away. The miles long shallow beach is a safe haven and I can bath playing with the surfs without any fear. Now I am at the wheels and I am driving along the beach, it is amazing. It is enthralling. I have taken my lunch. They cook very delicious fish, a Hilsa delight that I savour every mouthful.
Now it is 4 PM. I am on my way back to Digha. I reach the beach. The sea is on its full youth. The high tide is reining almost complete beach. The beach has got pecularity that it has a shallow depth of almost a mile long. So one can play and bath in it fearlessly. The playful surfs are giving me irresistible invitation. It is not possible for me to hold back any more.
With above wave which has just crashed on the beach, I am in to embrace the dream coming true, about which I have been yearning for almost a year. It is thrilling to play with the waves. A swell takes place deep inside the sea, which gradually balloons in a big surf, which moves ahead jumping and rolling, engulfing me and dragging me on the way and finally breaking on the shore with a loud roar. It is amazing. I am totally enamoured, captivated, enchanted and bewitched. I play with the surfs for about a hour, when the famous and scenic sunset is going to take place. All eyes are set towards sun. It is amazing and mesmeric. It is an awesomely beautiful sight.
Now the light of day is gradually drifting into the dusk. The sea is at its most youth. Cold brisk breeze is blowing whose caress is giving a heavenly pleasure and sensation, which probably I will never forget. My all stresses and strains have been driven out and now I am fully rejuvenated. I glance at the sea for the last time, when a roaring surf breaks in my feet, as if the sea is bidding me a lovely and enamouring good-bye. But I shall again come here tomorrow to see the sun rise, if it is not raining, before proceeding to Talsari Beach which is about one hour run from here and which is famous for its red crabs. I touch its waters and turn back for my hotel.

The market is bustling with life. Many sea products and handicrafts made in Bengal are on sell. I observe them and purchase some gift items for my loved ones. I am back in my hotel, relaxing and savouring every moment that I passed during the day with my beloved sea and Digha.