#chupirchar #purbasthali #birdwatching #birds
Chupir Char is a lake situated near Chupi Village, East Bardhaman district of Bengal. The lake is formed due to corrosion in the Hooghly River. The lake is fondly known as Chupir Char. The lake connects to the Hooghly River near Nabadwip. The distance from Chupi to Nabadwip through the lake is around 9 KMs. In the winter season, many migratory birds come here. That's the main attraction of this place. Bird watchers come here every winter for bird photography. Apart from the birding activities, the boating around the lake is amazing due to its scenic beauty.
How to reach: The nearest railhead to Chupir Char is Purbasthali. Purbasthali is a rail station in Bandel-Katwa line. This station can be reached from Howrah and Sealdah station via Katwa Local. The average rail fare is around thirty rupees.
Where to stay: There are many accommodation options. The best one is Purbasthali Pakhiralay. One can book his/her stay from Purbasthali.com.
The garden rooms (near the Chupir char) have a tariff of 1600 rupees per night. 2-3 people can easily stay there. The food charges for a day is Rs. 600/- per day per head. This includes lunch, evening snacks, dinner, and next day breakfast. Remember, there is a heavy rush during the winter season, so book your stay at least 2 months before.
What to see: If you are a bird lover, then book a boat and float around Chupir Char. You will definitely see many birds. Especially Kingfishers, Pochards, and other water birds. The special attraction is Osprey. For that, you have to plan your boating. The boat will take you near Nabadwip, Ospreys can be found on that route. It may take a maximum of 8-10 hours of boat ride. Boat charges are Rs. 200 per hour.
You may also roam around Chupi village. The village has many old houses including the house of Mr. Akshay Kumar Dutta (Famous Bengali Author). Several other houses and temples are there. There are mango gardens, and walking inside the garden is an amazing feeling.
What to eat: Do try the local "Chhanar Payes" and "Kheer Doi".
Happy Watching !!!