I always love to explore new places, especially if it’s by the sea. So a few days ago I visited Junput Beach with my friends. You can easily reach this place as it’s near Kolkata, and the Indian beach boasts amazing beauty.
A few words about Junput Beach
West Bengal Beach: Junput is a small town in the East Medinipur district of West Bengal. The main attraction here is definitely Junput Beach. There are also some other places of interest nearby. If you want to spend some peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of Kolkata, you can visit here.
How to reach this place?
The distance from Kolkata to this place by train is approximately 158 km. So it does not take long to get here. As I prefer to travel by train, I took the Junput train from Kolkata. You can reach there easily from Howrah via the Kandari Express.
You can also reach it here from Contai by bus or train. Junput Beach is only 9.1 km from Contai. And if you plan to have a long drive, then just go for it.
Where to stay in Junput Beach?
There are several good hotels and resorts here. We had already booked our hotels online. As the hotel rates are not too high, it did not cost us much.
It was only a few minutes walk to the beach from the resort where we stayed.
Waking up in the morning and going straight to the beach to watch the sunrise always hits differently.
Some of the popular hotels and resorts in Junput Beach are:
What to see in Junput Beach?
- Junput Beach: The main attraction here is the beach. The beach here is quite secluded, so it is perfect for spending time in peace. Do not forget to see the sunrise in the morning and sunset in the afternoon.
- Junput Missile: A short distance away from the beach is DRDO’s Missile Test Facility. India tests its various missiles here. If you have an interest in the field of air weapons, this place is a must-visit.
- Junput Coastal Police Station: Another place to visit here is Junput Coastal Police Station. From here you can see a wonderful view of the sea.
- Digha: Approx 42 km from Junput Beach, the popular tourist town of Digha. If you go around Junput Beach, you have to visit Digha too.
How is the weather in Junput Beach?
The weather is fairly pleasant throughout the year. However, the best time to visit here is during the winter, i.e. from October to March. The weather is very pleasant during this time.
What should you eat at Junput Beach?
If you visit this beach, you should try fresh seafood. Junput Beach also has various restaurants where you can find different types of seafood. There are also Bengali and North Indian food shops.
Here are some tips for traveling to Junput Beach
- Check the weather before visiting this beach to avoid the extreme heat days.
- Be careful when bathing at the beach, and take care of the safety precautions.
- Carry sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- You can buy handicrafts made of snails and mussels from local shops.
- Avoid using plastic as much as possible.
It has become a very favorite place of mine. I hope you enjoy your time here too.
Junput Beach Offbeat Experience: Mingling with the Locals
I have seen the beaches, hotels, and resorts of Junput Beach, but this time I wanted to do something different. So I decided to mingle with the locals. The fun of learning about the lifestyle and culture of the people in the area was very refreshing.
The fishing village of Junput Beach
There is a fishing village near this beach. I went out there in the morning. Talking to the people of the village, I came to know that most of the people here depend on fishing for their livelihood. They catch fish from the sea and sell it in nearby markets.
When the fishermen return from the sea in the morning, the fun of watching the scene is different! I was surprised to see the vast variety of fish, crabs, and oysters!
Then after talking to the fishermen, I learned how to catch a fish, and how to weave a net.
Wander around the local market
There is a big market near this beach. This market is open two days a week. Various things are available here like fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, spices, clothes, etc. I learned about daily life here by walking around the market and talking to the locals.
I bought some fresh fruits from the market. The taste of the mango and jackfruit here is amazing.
Temple of Junput Beach
This beach has some old temples. I visited the temples to learn about the religious beliefs of the people here. The architecture of the temple impressed me. Upon indulging with the local people, I got to know about the history and significance of these temples.
Chat with locals
In the evening, I sat by the beach and chatted with the local people. I learned many things about the history, culture, and lifestyle of the area from them.
Lessons from Juneput’s offbeat experience
I learned a lot by interacting with the locals at Junput Beach. I realized that the real fun of traveling comes when we immerse ourselves in the local culture.
Eco-conscious tourism
Beach cleaning campaign
The next morning, I started the beach cleaning campaign with my friends. Some local people also joined us. We all cleaned the beach for about two hours.
Awareness raising campaign
Besides cleaning the beach, I raised awareness among locals and tourists. I explained to them the effects of environmental pollution and I asked everyone to come forward to protect the environment by reducing the use of plastic.
Eco-friendly tourism
We all have a responsibility to protect beautiful places like Junput Beach. So we all should keep the environment in mind while traveling.
Some tips on eco-friendly tourism:
- Avoid using plastic as much as possible.
- Carry your own water bottle.
- Dispose of garbage in designated areas.
- Be respectful of the local environment.
- Stay at eco-friendly hotels and resorts.
The experience of traveling to this beach was truly memorable for me. I hope you guys will have the same fun here.
Local Cuisine of Junput Beach: In Search of Flavor Innovations
Beaches, hotels, resorts, temples—I’ve seen everything, now it’s time to eat and drink. What can one do in Junput Beach without tasting the local food? So I went out in search of new flavors.
Seafood heaven
This is a beach town, so seafood abounds here. Various types of seafood items can be found in different restaurants, such as:
Veg and Non-Veg fries: Veg fries are my favorite. Here you will find prawns, pomfret, hilsa, and bhetki—various types of fish and veg fry.
Fish curry: Bengali’s favorite dish is fish and rice. The taste of fish curry here is amazing. You must try Sorse Hilsa and Prawn Malaikari.
Crab Curry: You will find a variety of crab dishes here. I tried the crab curry and liked it very much.
Lobster: Although a little expensive, the taste of lobster is too good.
Taste of Bengali food in Junput Beach
Apart from the seafood, you will also find Bengali food shops on this beach. Come here and you have to try Bengali food.
Fish and rice: Bengali live in this fish and rice. This place offers a variety of fish curries: Sorshe Hilsa, Prawn Malaikari, Rui Katla Kalia, Pangas Jhol, and so much more.
Shukto: You will find this Shukto, a household favorite of Bengalis, here too. Here, you will find different types of shukto made with different vegetables.
Poppy: Here you can find various curries with poppy, like aloo poppy, Shrimp Poppy, Prawn Poppy, etc.
Sweets: Bengali eating and drinking are incomplete without sweets. This place offers a variety of sweets—rasgolla, sandesh, sweet curd, and so much more.
Street food: You will find various types of street food shops along Junput Beach. Phuchka, chaat, and jhalmuri are here; everything is lip-smacking.
Junput’s dining experience: I liked the taste of Junput Beach’s’s local food. Especially seafood is amazing. If you come to this place, you must try the local food here.
Junput Beach Approximate Travel Budget
The cost of visiting this place depends on several factors, such as how many people are going, how long they will stay, where they will stay, how they will travel, what they want to explore, etc. But to get a rough idea, below is a budget list:
Approximate cost per person (for 2 nights and 3 days):
Expenditure sector
Estimated Cost (in Rs.)
| Travel (by train) | 400 – 800 |
| Accommodation (Hotel/Resort) | 1500 – 3000 |
| Eating and drinking | 1500 – 2000 |
| Entrance fees to attractions | 200 – 500 |
| Other expenses | 500 – 1000 |
| Total | 4100 – 7300 |
Note:
- This budget list is an estimate only. The actual cost may be lower or higher than this.
- The train fare will depend on the class you are traveling in.
- The hotel or resort fare will depend on the type of hotel you are staying at, how many people are staying, what time you are visiting etc.
- The costs of Food will depend on where you eat.
Some tips to cut costs:
- Visit in the off-season, i.e. during monsoons. Hotel fares are relatively low during this time.
- Go on a group tour. We can share hotel rent and food expenses.
- Eat at local eateries. We can significantly reduce the cost of eating and drinking.
- Do eco-friendly tourism. Avoid using plastic and dispose of garbage in designated areas.
Junput Beach Travel Budget: With the option of going by air (Flight)
Many people choose to travel by air to Junput Beach, especially if they are short on time or prefer a comfortable journey. In that case, there will be some changes in the budget.
The nearest airport to Junput Beach is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata.
From the airport, there are several options to reach this beach:
- Prepaid Taxi: The easiest and most comfortable option is to take a prepaid taxi from the airport directly to Junput Beach. The rent can be around 3000–4000 rupees.
- Train: From the airport, take a taxi or bus to Howrah station and board the Kandari Express train to reach Junput Beach. This is a cost-effective option, but time-consuming.
- Bus: From the airport, you can go to Esplanade or Dharmatala and board a bus bound for Digha to reach Junput Beach. This is also a cost-effective option, but it is time-consuming and can be somewhat inconvenient.
Budget list for air travel (for 2 nights and 3 days):
Expenditure sector
Estimated Cost (in Rs.)
| Airfare | 4000 – 8000 |
| Travel from the Airport to Junput Beach | 1000 – 4000 |
| Accommodation (Hotel/Resort) | 1500 – 3000 |
| Eating and drinking | 1500 – 2000 |
| Entrance fees to attractions | 200 – 500 |
| Other expenses | 500 – 1000 |
| Total | 8700 – 18000 |
Note:
Airfare may vary depending on the season, time of booking, and airline.
The cost of travel from the airport to this beach will vary depending on the mode of transport chosen.
The rest of the expenditure sectors will remain the same.
Advantages of flying:
- Time is saved.
- A comfortable ride.
- Convenient for coming from distant cities.
Disadvantages of flying:
- The cost is high.
- It takes extra time to reach this place from the airport.
Sights around Junput Beach
After spending time at Junput Beach, it’s time to explore some of the surrounding areas, mingling with the local culture. There are several places of interest near this beach, without which a trip to this place would be incomplete.
Digha
The distance from Junput Beach to Digha is only 42 km. So if you come to visit Junput Beach, it does not take long to reach Digha, Digha is one of the most popular beaches in West Bengal. There are various types of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and shops.
Some places to visit in Digha
New Digha: The main attraction here is the beach. Sea bathing, sunrise-sunset watching, horse riding along the beach – there is so much to do here.
Old Digha Beach: Old Digha is a little far from New Digha. The tourist crowd here is relatively less, so it is ideal for spending time in peace.
Marine Aquarium & Regional Centre: It has a variety of marine fish and aquatic animals. You must visit here if traveling with kids.
Shankarpur Beach: Shankarpur Beach is a little far from Digha. The beach here is quite secluded and clean.
Mandarmani
Mandarmani is only 30 km away from Digha. There are famous temples here, you can visit them. Also, the beach here is very popular with tourists.
Tajpur
Tajpur is only 13.6 km away from Digha. The specialty of the beach here is the red crab.
Udaipur Beach
Udaypur Beach is 16.4 km away from Tajpur. The beach here is quite secluded and clean. Perfect for spending time in peace.
Talsari
The distance from Junput Beach to Talsari is about 43 km. Talsari is a small town with several old temples and places of interest.
Some places to visit in Talsari:
- Talsari Beach: The beach here is quite popular with tourists.
- Subarnarekha River: You can see the estuary of the Subarnarekha River from here.
- Old Temples: Talsari has several old temples, such as Chandaneswar Temple, etc.
As the distance from Junput Beach to Digha is not much, you can come here and visit all these places.
There are so many beautiful places around Junput Beach that you can’t sit still. Pack your bags, and head out on a new adventure.
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