Varkala Beach (in photos) and route to Trivandrum, Alappuzha

Varkala Beach in Kerala is famous for Vipasyana (meditation) and North cliff side is best for that.





Kallambalam is a town on NH66 from where one has to exit the National Highway and drive a little more than 12 kms to reach Varkala Beach.
Varkala Beach to Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trivandrun = 52 kms.
Varkala Beach to Alappuzha Beach = 119 kms.

Road trip itinerary for 2 days from Kolkata to Kalyaneswari, Maithon Dam, Panchet Dam, Garpanchakot, Baranti and back

Maithon:








Kalyaneswari:




Panchet Dam:





Baranti:





Garpanchakot:





Itinerary:

Day 1: Kolkata - Dankuni Toll Plaza (7am) - Shaktigarh - Burdwan Bypass (10 kms long) - Durgapur - Ranigunj - Asansol Bypass - Flyover at Asansol Engineering College crossing - Flyover at Neamatpur crossing - Kalyaneswari Temple (offer puja) - Check in at Maithon Tourist Lodge (WBTDC) or at any of the numerous hotels between Kalyaneswari and Maithon Dam (around 12 noon).
After lunch, head for the dam reservoir for boating.
Photography on dam is prohibited.

Day 2: Go for an early morning walk on the dam.
Check out from hotel after breakfast by 9am.
Proceed to Panchet Dam via Kumardhubi, Chirkunda.
After Panchet Dam, visit Garpanchakot and Baranti.
Finish lunch by 2.30pm.
Start your return journey to Kolkata via Sarbari More - Parbelia - Disergarh - Neamatpur - Asansol - Durgapur.

Note: While returning, cross Palsit Toll Plaza ideally by 6pm to avoid trailing endless numbers of sand and stone-chips laden trucks also intending to enter Kolkata after 9pm (i.e. after the 'No Entry' restrictions end). Usually there are huge traffic snarls on Nivedita Setu and Kona Expressway (NH117) after 7.30pm.


Route/ Distance/ Landmark: (Follow the attached route map)

Route map for Kolkata to Kalyaneswari, Maithon Dam, Panchet Dam, Garpanchakot, Baranti and back


Dankuni toll plaza on NH19 (Kolkata outskirts) - Asansol IOC Jubilee Pump/ Asansol Engg College crossing flyover = 194 kms.

Asansol IOC Jubilee Pump/ Asansol Engg College crossing flyover - Maa Kalyaneswari Temple = 16.5 kms.

Asansol IOC Jubilee Pump - Barakar Kalyaneswari Road crossing (before Barakar River bridge) = 15 kms.
Asansol IOC Jubilee Pump - Neamatpur Dendua 4 point crossing flyover on NH19 = 8.8 kms.
Neamatpur Dendua 4 point crossing flyover on NH19 - Barakar Kalyaneswari Road crossing on NH19 = 6 kms.

Exit NH19 and Turn Right towards Maa Kalyaneswari Temple, just prior to Barakar River bridge.

Barakar River bridge on NH19 - Maa Kalyaneswari Temple = 1.5 kms.
Maa Kalyaneswari Temple - Maithon Dam (DVC) = 3.3 kms.

Asansol IOC Jubilee Pump/ Asansol Engineering College crossing flyover - Neamatpur - Dishergarh Ghat = 20.8 kms.

Roadies from Kolkata intending to travel to Garpanchakot/ Baranti/ Ajodhya Hills/ Purulia should should avoid climbing the Neamatpur Dendua 4 point crossing flyover, keep left, Exit NH19 by turning Left from under the flyover towards Neamatpur on Old G.T.Road and Disergarh.

Neamatpur Dendua 4 point crossing on NH19 - Neamatpur = 3.8 kms.
Neamatpur - Dishergarh Ghat on SH5 = 8.2 kms.


Roadies from Kolkata willing to drive to Rupnarayanpur, Chittaranjan, Jamtara should avoid climbing the Neamatpur Dendua 4 point crossing flyover, keep left and Exit NH19 by turning right from under the flyover towards Dendua, Salanpur, Rupnarayanpur.

Dankuni Toll Plaza has to be crossed from wherever one might be located in Kolkata. The cumulative distance for a round trip from Dankuni Toll Plaza (on Day 1) to Dankuni Toll Plaza (on Day 2) should be about 475 kms.
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Indian Roadie Preferred Route,
Indian Roadie Preferred Itinerary.