Raichak travel guide | a serene riverside town

Ranita Ganguly · Legacy Journals · 10 March 2022 · 10 min read

Written in 2022, updated by Nilabh in October 2026. Prices and timings still change; check before you go.

When to go

Raichak through the year

Easiest: Nov to Feb. Hardest: Jul to Sep. Tap + for the month-by-month weather and where these numbers come from.

January: Easy. Daytime about 25°, night about 13°. Rain: dry.
February: Easy. Daytime about 29°, night about 17°. Rain: some.
March: Mixed. Daytime about 33°, night about 22°. Rain: some.
April: Mixed. Daytime about 36°, night about 26°. Rain: some.
May: Mixed. Daytime about 35°, night about 28°. Rain: wet.
June: Mixed. Daytime about 32°, night about 28°. Rain: wet.
July: Hard. Daytime about 31°, night about 28°. Rain: very wet.
August: Hard. Daytime about 31°, night about 27°. Rain: very wet.
September: Hard. Daytime about 30°, night about 27°. Rain: very wet.
October: Mixed. Daytime about 30°, night about 25°. Rain: wet.
November: Easy. Daytime about 28°, night about 19°. Rain: some.
December: Easy. Daytime about 25°, night about 15°. Rain: some.

Ten-year averages (2015 to 2024) from NASA POWER satellite data. Conditions change; check before you go.

Where do these numbers come from, and how far can you trust them?

The figures come from NASA POWER, a free NASA project that publishes weather estimates for every point on Earth, put together from satellites and weather models. We took every day from 2015 to 2024 for this place, and averaged each month: the usual daytime high, the usual night low, and the rain.

We compared it with official weather-station figures for a few places. Over flat land it matched closely; in the hills and on islands it can be a few degrees out, and then the strip says so.

In very wet places the satellite data tends to run low in the rainy season, so the rain is drawn as bars, from the driest to the wettest month, without millimetre figures.

Easy, Mixed and Hard are our rule of thumb, not a forecast. Hard means days above about 37°, rain of about 250 mm a month or more, or nights close to freezing. Mixed means days above about 32°, rain over about 100 mm a month, or cold nights (below about 8°). Easy is everything else.

An average is not the weather on your dates, and it knows nothing about festivals, crowds, road closures or this year's monsoon. Check a forecast a week before you go.

NASA POWER: the data we used ↗

The small and charming town of Raichak, which is a popular weekend tourist spot is located in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal.

Nestled on the bank of River Hooghly, Raichak is 15 km from Diamond Harbour and 50 km from Kolkata and acts as a connecting link between Haldia and Kolkata.

Raichak: An Introduction

Lately, Raichak, this small town has emerged as a sought-after weekend destination, a drive away from Kolkata, offering a spectacular view of the river Ganges and the 18th century Radisson Fort or the Raichak Fort. Situated at the banks of the river Hooghly, Raichak proves to be a quaint settlement, famous for its serenity and scenery. It is a pleasant destination which gives travelers a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

How Far Is Raichak? (Distances and Times)

Raichak is on the east bank of the Hooghly in the Diamond Harbour II block of South 24 Parganas, about 13 km upriver of Diamond Harbour town. By road you leave Diamond Harbour Road (NH 12) at Sarisha and drive the last 5 km west to the river.

From	By road	How long
Kolkata (city centre)	About 50 to 55 km	2 to 2½ hours; the Behala–Joka stretch is the slow part
Howrah station	About 60 km	2½ hours or more
Kolkata airport	About 70 km	2½ to 3 hours
Sarisha (the turn-off)	About 5 km	10 minutes
Diamond Harbour station	About 13 km	20 to 25 minutes
Sealdah, by train to Diamond Harbour	About 60 km of track, then 13 km by road	About 1½ hours on the train, plus the drive

Road distances are from distance sites and Wikivoyage and vary by a few kilometres with the route. Times are rough, for a weekday morning: Kolkata's traffic decides.

Raichak From Kolkata

Raichak is a small town on the banks of Bhagirathi-Hooghly River, 50 Kms from Kolkata, well-known and popular as a one-day picnic spot near Kolkata. Raichak is the most lucrative river bank destination these days for the tourists. Raichak is in the southern suburbs of Kolkata, on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River quite near where the river meets the Bay of Bengal.

The location is very close to Diamond harbor a most famous point for sea fishing in Bengal. Local economy here is based on agriculture and fishery.

History of Raichak

Diamond Harbour was frequented by the Portuguese pirates. Thus, the site features some ruins associated with the pirates, the most notable being the remnants of the Chingrikhali Fort, built in the 16th century. According to the locals, the fort was inhabited by the Portuguese pirates. (2026: the ruins stand by the river at Diamond Harbour; most sources date the fort to the 1600s.)

Raichak as a Picnic Spot

Picnic area at Raichak is a tract of land set aside solely for picnicking. The picnic area at Raichak is excellently located near the lake, pool or overlooking a scenic destination. Many hotels host a picnic area in Raichak for a pleasurable experience of its guests.

Nearby Attraction

This small town with a picturesque setting is the gateway to the south-western part of the district leading to such places as Gangasagar, Kakdwip, Namkhana, and Bakkhali. Gangasagar is a Hindu pilgrimage site where Hindus perform ablutions to wash away their sins. Bakkhali is gaining in popularity as a beach resort. (2026: see our guides to Gangasagar and Bakkhali.)

Jetties at Diamond Harbour, Raichak and ‘Nurpur’ provide steamer service to the other bank of the wide river estuary.

Fort Radisson

It is an Anglo- Indian Style structure situated on the river bend of Raichak is the prime tourist attraction of the region. Original Fort Radisson was built in 1783 by the British East India Company to keep a watch on river Hooghly for any sign of pirates.

However, post-independence the fort was in deplorable condition, which was undertaken by the Carlton Group of Hotels and the Bengal Ambuja Group in the late nineties and was transformed into a deluxe resort – Radisson Fort.

Though entry at the site is restricted only for the guests, you can highly savor the wonderful sight of the resort. The management was able to preserve some of the artifacts of the fort from the colonial era like a grand piano, perfume bottles, swords, and a vintage wall clock. (2026: the fort resort, later called The Ffort Raichak, and its neighbour Ganga Kutir are now one hotel, the Taj Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa, Raichak, run by IHCL since a 2023 agreement with the Ambuja Neotia group. Rooms start at about ₹11,500 a night before tax. Ask the hotel whether it takes day visitors.)

Diamond Harbour

What links Haldia and Kolkata is Diamond Harbour of Raichak. Formerly known as Hajipur, Diamond Harbor was then considered to be the safest resting spot for the ocean-going ship. It is famous for offering a mesmerizing vista of sparkling river stream.

Along the harbor, visitors can find an ancient Chingrikhali fort with its own lighthouse. This age-old lighthouse is also a major tourist attraction. The fort once sufficed as a hiding spot for Portuguese pirates.

Hooghly River

River Hooghly is one of the prime attractions of Raichak. In olden days River Hooghly served as an important trading link. It is an ideal place for a serene picnic spot or to avail boating facility to enjoy the sunset over River Ganga.

Boat rides or ferry ride is available to Kukhrahati or Gadiara or to other nearby towns and villages from Raichak Jetty and Nurpur Jetty is another popular activity at Raichak. (2026: launches from Raichak jetty cross to Kukrahati and Geonkhali on the far bank; from Nurpur, upriver, they go to Gadiara, where the Rupnarayan meets the Hooghly. Fares are small and the timings change with the tide, so ask at the jetty.)

Ramakrishna Mission Ashram

It is a popular pilgrimage center in Raichak. Situated near Diamond Harbor, Aashram of Ramakrishna Mission with its idyllic setting has become the perfect place for visitors who are in search of solace and tranquility. Tourists visit the Sarisha Ramkrishna Mission Ashram, which is another prominent highlight of the site. (2026: the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama at Sarisha, on Diamond Harbour Road where you turn for Raichak, became a branch of the Mission in 1921 and runs schools and rural programmes.)

Joynagar

It is a quaint settlement located near Raichak. Joynagar is famous for housing the artifacts dating back to the 11th and 12th century. Visitors can see ancient manuscripts, terracotta figurines, and black stone images of many gods while exploring Joynagar. (2026: Joynagar Majilpur is best known for its moa, a winter sweet of puffed rice and nolen gur with a GI tag, and for its old temples; we could not confirm the collection described here.)

Things to Do

Savor the scenic beauty of Raichak and the spectacular sunset on the river Hooghly. The ferry rides or the boat ride from the Raichak Jetty and Nurpur Jetty to Gadiara or Kukhrahati is truly exciting. Relish the scrumptious Bengali cuisines available at Raichak. In visiting Diamond Harbor you can also book a daylong river cruise trip.

Best Season to Visit

The ideal time of visiting Raichak is during the period between October and March when the temperature drops down and becomes pleasant.

How to Reach Raichak

The connectivity to major tourist attractions and transportation hubs is also efficient from the Raichak, as the site is well connected by road, rail and air.

By Bus: Luxury bus ply from Goalpark, Esplanade, which takes directly to Raichak. Fares vary between Rs. 200 to 500 per trip. It is just 2 and a half hours drive by bus. (2026: state buses run from Esplanade towards Diamond Harbour, and some go on to Raichak; fares and timings change, so check at the Esplanade terminal.)

By Car: Raichak lies at a driving distance from Kolkata. You should drive down the Diamond Harbour Road from Behala in southern Kolkata to reach Sarisha in about 30 mins and take a right turn just before Diamond Harbour. Raichak is another 5 km from here.

By Train: Train connectivity is there through Howrah station, buses are the direct car is also available from Howrah station (2026: correction: trains for Raichak leave from Sealdah, not Howrah. Take the Sealdah–Diamond Harbour local, about 1½ hours and hourly through the day, then an auto or taxi for the 13 km to Raichak.)

By Air: Netaji Subhash Chandra airport is the nearest airport from where cars or buses are available. (2026: about 70 km away.)

Recommended Stay

Raichak Fort and Ganga Kutir are among some famous hotels in Raichak. These five-star hotels provide with a magnificent panoramic view of the river at Raichak. MeghBrishti Bari is another awesome and recommended stay in Raichak.

Apart from Fort Radisson, you can also get budget accommodation options in Raichak like Hotel Arena, Raichak on Ganges, Hotel Punyalakshmi, Fort Holiday club, Raichak hotels, etc. Room fares vary between Rs. 500/- to Rs. 15000/- (2026: Raichak Fort and Ganga Kutir are now the Taj Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa. The smaller places change names and owners often, so read recent reviews before you book.)

Other Recommended Daytrip Places Near Kolkata

Deulti

The village of Deulti, nestled on the riverbank of Rupnarayan, is a popular sightseeing destination of Howrah. It is an ideal weekend getaway from Kolkata if you love the calm mysticism of the village. So there must be little wonder why your effervescent excitement will drive you to Deulti in that case.

You will love the serene natural set up surrounding the village which is a perfect vacation spot, cradled on the bank of the Rupnarayan river. Travelers who are interested in the culture and heritage of Bengal, especially about the literature, can visit this interesting place to cater to their taste in Bengal and its natural surroundings.

Machranga Dweep

An aura of mystery and smoky hues of obnoxious desolation has its mark felt upon this island called Machranga Dweep. This bleak island is roofed by trees and is measured as an ideal hub for a fun-filled day trip. The island is nice for a nature walk over the stretched green fields and in the distance where enchantment screams one can also visit the villages of Bangladesh.

It is a petite island in the middle of Ichamati river that is still more or less a virgin spot and a secretive destination for bird lovers and photographers. Kingfisher Island touts of being a beautiful landscape surrounded by trees and flowing river.

Achipur: China Town

Achipur, a hamlet on the banks of the Hooghly near Budge Budge, is just like any other Bengal village 30Km away from Taratala. 300 years ago, this village, bustled with activity and was dominated by the Chinese people. This was the first Chinese settlement in India.

On every Chinese New Year eve and for the rest of that month, Achipur turns into a mini Chinatown. Thousands of people gather at the Chinese temple here, especially on Sundays, to celebrate the new year.

Parmadan

Want to get lost amidst nature, wish to feel the love of nature or paint your thoughts in the green canvas of nature? Then Parmadan Forest is an ideal place for you this weekend. It is here where the chirps of melodious birds will steal your heart.

The marvelous greenery of the forest will definitely bring your youth back. Your mind and body will definitely wave in the rhythm of Ichamati river waves after seeing the panoramic beauty of nature, which is a feast for the eyes.

Questions People Ask Us

Where is Raichak? In South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on the east bank of the Hooghly, about 13 km upriver of Diamond Harbour. Across the river is Kukrahati, on the Haldia side.

How far is Raichak from Kolkata? About 50 to 55 km by road from the city centre, 2 to 2½ hours. From Howrah station it is about 60 km, from the airport about 70 km. The table above has the rest.

Can I reach Raichak by train? Not directly. Take the local from Sealdah to Diamond Harbour (about 1½ hours), then an auto or taxi for 13 km.

Is Raichak good for a day trip? Yes. Leave Kolkata early, spend the afternoon by the river, take a launch across and back, and stay for the sunset before driving home; or add Diamond Harbour on the way.

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