Mandarmani | Mandarmani hotels | Mandarmani Beach | - Zigzag Valley: A Nature Lover's Paradise

It is called as Mandarmani or Mandarmoni or Mandarbani , a sea beach resort at the southwest part of West Bengal in India. This sea beach is located at a distance of 173 km from Kolkata and only 14 km from Digha. It is important to remember that there is no proper road for the last 6 km to reach Mandarmani, which forces to drive along the beach . If you like you can reach mandarmani by an alternative way through a village road , the condition of the road is almost fair but having a numbers of speed breakers as it passes through dense vegetation and some population on both sides. There are no lights or any other amenities in this locality. This road extend for another 3-5 km. It's best to cover the whole stretch ( i.e from Chawalkhola to Mandarmani) before dark.

Mandarmoni beach is different from Digha beach. Travellers who like secluded place, this unexplored sea beach is best for them – is really free from the hurly-burly of our daily life in city. Mandarmani will be appreciated for its serenity and its beach resorts.

Some more things about Mandarmani beach :

One thing is associated with this beach is serenity & beauty. Tourist who are fond of lonely place (beach) may relax, swim and enjoy the beach. It is doubtful that anybody will disturb privacy of the tourists as because only a few visitors may be found around.

Most of tourists spend time here by walking between resort and beach. If anyone want to travel longer distances, it is advisable to restrain their excitement to drive on the beach more than necessary. While driving on the beach some points to be always keep in mind that :-

Be attach to the main part of the beach while driving. In some places at the end of beach there are soft sand dunes or mud which may catch trapped your car while driving. So be careful to drive on established tracks only.
Avoid driving on the beach after dark as because no local people will available there for help.
It is always better to have a torch with you at all times after dark. On the beach, there is no electricity and after dark the only sources of light are generators or batteries.powered lights of the small beach-side shops.
In the evening, the high tide causes the sea to rise. and in evening sea extends up to one forth of the beach. So, one find sea is more nearer in the evening then daytime.

Food at Mandarmani a bit costly as all materials are bought from far market Contai or Kalindi. Here most of the hotels/ resorts serve Bengali food and also Chinese food. The costing   of meals approx. Rs. 550/- for per day per head. Generally small shop at beach side sells tea and snack but they also supply meals if order are placed in advance. Crab and prawn are other items to take with meals, but it is better to bargain the price in advance.

People, who love drinks, remember price of alcohol is almost double here. Only little variety is available from the shop near beach. People who do not like alcohol may drink green coconut water easily available in this locality.

How to access Mandarmani ?
If anyone fond of long drive from Kolkata by car , remember the trip is for 3.5 to 4 hours drive to reach Mandarmani.

Distances are to be cover as follows:-
Esplanade – Kolaghat = 63 km
Kolaghat   - Mecheda= 3 km
Mecheda – Contai = 80 km
Contai – Chawalkhola = 12 km
Chawalkhola - Kalindi = 4 km
Kalindi – Dadanpatrabar = 4 km
Dadanpatrabar -Mandarmani = 6 km
Total 172 km.

Again , to access Mandarmani from Kharagpur one have to follow Chennai Highway. This is good road but very busy highway, all vehicle are running at high speed. At the point BELDA   have to be left this highway and by turning left through Belda village get reach at EGRA. From Egra to CONTAI , from where the road extends towards CHWALKHOLA. . Then this road will again extend towards DADANPATRABAR village where one can drive through the beach or follow the village road to reach Mandarmani.

Note : It's best to cover the whole stretch from Chawalkhola to Mandarmani before dark because in this locality there are no electric lights or any other amenities and to get help from local people is difficult after dark.

By Bus

From Kolkata : CSTC or WBSTC buses for Digha, leave at Esplanade or at Howrah headed for Chawalkhola / Digha almost every hour. The only air-conditioned bus leaves at 7AM. Mandarmani tourists get down at Chawalkhola which is a few kilometers before reaching Digha. From Chawlkhola there are cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaw which you can take to Dadanpatrabar or direct to Mandarmoni. Hire cars are also available from Chawalkhola to Mandarmoni.

From Kharagpur : Frequent bus are plying from Kharagpur main bus stand just near Kharagpur Railway station. Approx. 4 hours to reach Chawlkhola , fare Rs 100.00-160.00 per head.

By Trains.

The nearest railway station to Mandarmani is Digha Flag Station. It takes around four hours from Howrah to Digha by train. From Digha railway station , by road can easily be reached Mandarmani within /less then an hour.

Howrah Station to Mandarmani or Digha Trains:

Availavle trains from Howrah are :-

Howrah -Digha Duronto Express, This is a new daily train 2847 / 2848 Howrah - Digha Duronto Express , since 10th October 2010. It does not have any commercial stop. Executive Class AC Chair Car -1, AC Chair Car -8.
Tamralipta Express and Kandari Express are available daily
Paharia Express is available only on Friday.

Trains between Howrah to Digha

Train No

Train Name

Origin

Dep. Time

Destination

Arr. Time

Days Of Run

Classes

12857

+TAMRALIPTA EXP

+HOWRAH JN

6:40

+DIGHA FLAG STN

10:00

CC, 2S

15722

+PAHARIA EXPRESS

+HOWRAH JN

7:50

+DIGHA FLAG STN

12:00

1A,3A,SL

12847

+HWH DGHA DURONT

+HOWRAH JN

11:15

+DIGHA FLAG STN

14:15

1A, CC,

18001

+KANDARI EXPRESS

+HOWRAH JN

14:15

+DIGHA FLAG STN

17:50

CC, 2S

For more details about availability of trains or seats from Howrah to Digha Click here

Where to Stay at Mandarmani ?

A numbers of hotels and resorts are located along the 6 km long stretch of the beach.
Some of the resorts are as follows. Tourists are requested to made an enquiry about rent & other facilities before their journey.

Hotel Name	Details	Approx. Price (2011)	Contact
Hotel Panthatirtha	checkin: noon; checkout: noon. A/C and non-A/C sea facing rooms double, triple, eight bed and large dormitory. Restaurant and childrens park , more info: et@hotmail.com .	Rs 800-Rs 1,500.	+91 90 3830-6460
Samudra Bilas	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11.30AM. A village resort consisting of 14 cottage style rooms. Four of them are 4 bedded, one room is 10 bedded, rest are twin beds, the resort have 32 bighas of land including ponds, children's park, boating, and a restaurant..	Rs 400-1400	+91 98 3141-791991 33 2248 0626
Samudra Sakshi Resort	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30PM. A resort with a small park, good for kids. 4 bedded rooms and A/C rooms, on site restaurant, more info. cbhoinfo@gmail.com	Rs 500/-600/-800/-1800/-	+91 91 4315-0273
Tarangamala Guest House	checkin: noon. A basic mid-range hotel with cottages around a lake	Rs 500 - Rs 1500	+91 99 3297-7184
Priya Jeet	checkin: 11AM; checkout: 10:30AM. Private sunbathing area on the beach. A multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian, Chinese and Continantal food.	Rs 800-1,200	+91 33 2481-9359
Shorelene	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11.30AM. Sea facing & sea view rooms. Childrens play ground. Complimentary breakfast from Sunday to Thursday. Pick-up and drop-off service from Chowlkhola at extra cost. Parking is provided for free.	Rs 800-1500	+91 92 3957-2058
Debraj Beach Resort	Suites, cottages, all with TV and mini-bar, double, triple and x6, sea-view rooms with private sit outs and lawns available, more info : contact@debrajresort.com	Rs 1,500-4,000	+91 98 3021-3935, +91 33 2231-0909
Digante	A mid-priced beach retreat with a private sunbathing beach backed by sand dunes and Jhau plantations. A/C rooms available at extra charge, 24 hr generator. Durga Puja ceremonies are held at the resort. Bidisha is the onsite multi-cuisine restaurant . More info : digante@digante.com	Rs 1,000-1,300	+91 99 0346-8114, +91 90 0760-3406
ecOvilla,The Screw Pine Beach Resort	checkin: 12noon; checkout: 11AM. Eco boutique resort with 18 sea facing cottages with full facilities. Room service, homely multi-cuisine food. Ideal for package tour or groups. Can arrange picnics, DJ nights, musical evenings. Special holiday package starting from. Car rental assistance, sight seeing and tours. More info; ecovilla20@gmail.com	Rs 1,500-2,000	+91 80 0138-6463
Sonar Bangla	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11AM. Garden, multi-cuisine restaurant. Complimentary breakfast provided with deluxe rooms. A/C-Rs 3,500+5%+10%, non-A/C-Rs 1,500+10%. More info: reservation@hotelsonarbangla.com ceohotelsonarbangla@gmail.com	Rs 1,500-3,500 +10%	+91 33 4006 0787, +91 33 4006 5773, +91 98360 56456
Dream Hut Resort	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30AM. A seaside Resort with modern amenities, childens play ground, swimming pool. Multi-cuisine restaurant providing breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. A/C, non-A/C Rooms with attached bathroom, T.V & intercom. Driver accommodations are available. More info: travelicon@gmail.com	Rs 1,000/- to Rs 3,000/-.	+91 98 3141-7919, +91 33 4007-8155, +91 33 4007-8291
Ganapat Palace	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30AM. Swimming pool, pool games, table tennis, gym. Childrens play area, multicuisine restaurant, non-A/C, A/C rooms and sea facing cottages.	Rs 1,200, 1,600, 2,500	+91 95 93081201,+91 90 51603295,+91 90 5160-3195td>
Resort Hirak Jayanti	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30AM. All rooms sea facing, childrens park, conference hall, free car parking, 24 hrs room service and security, multi cuisine restaurant. CableTV, 20 hrs. power supply by generator, driver accommodation. More info: debjiban.roofers@gmail.com	Rs1,000, 1,200, A/C-1,800.	+91 97 48899684, +91 98 3187-5353, +91 96 0912-9721, +91 32 2225-7611
Hotel Dream Land	checkout: 11:30AM. AC and non-AC sea view cottages and rooms. Multi-cuisine restaurant More info: etravelsingh@gmail.com	. Rs 1,800-3,500	+91 98 0409-0739
Rose Valley	checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 11:30AM. 106 rooms, A/C, some rooms are sea-facing, other rooms at rear are non-sea facing. Credit cards are accepted at their Kolkata office. Group rates are available. Swimming pool, garden, A/C conference facilities and a banquet hall. Breakfast complimentary, free or free pick up & drop from Chawalkhol. Drivers stay free. Extra cot charge Rs 500 per day.	. Rs 1,000-Rs 8,000, bungalow Rs 20,000	☎ +91 33 2500-6470
The Sana Beach	checkin: 12.00noon; checkout: 11AM. "Eco-friendly" beach resort with accommodation options from camping through to suites & Maharaja tents. Multi-cuisine restaurant, local artisans' market/workshop, newly opened spa, swimming pool and lounge bar with a private sunbathing area provided on the beach. Shrimp Cocktail is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Continental food. Tulshi is their Jain restaurant. Sourav is a 24 hr cafe, or check out Majlish, the hookah bar. Kolahal is the sports lounge bar or try the Swimming Pool. More info : leisure_luxury@hotmail.com	Rs 2,400-Rs 11,300+tax.	+91 90 0772-5066, +91 98 3147-3785