Mangalgunj: Journey Through Time, Rediscovered

By Izifiso
4 Min Read
Standing on the boat while bats fly on the glowing night sky at Mangalgunj camping ground.
haunted camp at Mangalgunj

Heading back to Mangalgunj…

Two years ago, when I first visited Mangalgunj, it was so deserted that it felt eerie even in broad daylight. Last week, when I arrived again, the same feeling washed over me—nothing had changed. But as soon as we stepped onto the camping ground, we were pleasantly surprised. Everything had been transformed! The feedback from travelers had clearly been taken seriously, as the site was revamped with newly painted cottages and tents, beautifully arranged. It was quite an event! And the hospitality remained as warm as ever.

How to Reach Mangalgunj:


You can easily reach Mangalgunj from Kolkata, which is about 100 kilometers away. Frequent trains are available from Sealdah to Chakdah or Bongaon. From Chakdah, you need to reserve a bus seat for Nataberia, whereas from Bongaon, autos are available up to Nataberia. From Nataberia, a quick “toto” (electric rickshaw) ride will take you to the Mangalgunj campsite, Eco Stay, or Resort. If you’re driving, a private car will take around 3-4 hours to reach the destination.

300 year old haunted Nilkuthi

Things to Do at Mangalgunj:


Boat Ride on the Ichamati: Enjoy a peaceful ride during sunrise or sunset, with the sounds of birds and the color-changing sky against the backdrop of the Parmadon Forest, which adds a special touch to the journey. Firefly Migration: Especially during the monsoon, witness the magical sight of fireflies lighting up the village like Diwali, especially under the large trees.

Evening adda beside bonfire Mangalgunj Backpackers Camp

Bamboo Chicken with Campfire: A must-try during a dark winter evening—grilled bamboo chicken around a cozy campfire is an unforgettable experience. Walk to Nilkuthi/Neelkhuti: A short walk to the haunted 300-year-old Nilkuthi, especially at night, will keep you on edge with local ghost stories.

Foods to try:

Most stays offer food packages that include homestyle meals—breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner. Typically, fish is served for lunch and chicken for dinner.

Bamboo chicken by the bonfire at Mangalgunj

For quick snacks, you can find a few options near Nilkuthi during the day, but full-fledged restaurants and cafes will take a few more years to develop.

Check out our latest blog about Santiniketan and get information about exclusive spots, stays and more, click here.

Stay Options to explore:

Traditional style minimalist stay

Most stay options are quite basic and similar, but we preferred the Mangalgunj Backpackers Camp for two reasons: first, it was the first camp of its kind with such a beautiful concept, and second, the startup behind it has a strong R&D team that constantly updates setups and evolves based on traveler feedback. Besides Mangalgunj Backpackers Camp, you can also try Mangalgunj Twilight, Kapasathi Camp, or Mangalgunj Icchekuthi.

For bookings, you can call 8447745964 or visit Izifiso.

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