Major city · India
Ghatalঘাটাল
Ghatal is a half-day stop for its 1791 terracotta temple and the birthplace of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. One night is enough if you want to see both and walk the riverbank.
Ghatal is a small heritage town on the Shilabati River in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. Its main draw is the Brindaban Chandra Temple with fine terracotta panels, and nearby Birsingha, the birthplace of reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. The town has no rail station and limited accommodation, so most visitors come by car or bus for a day trip from Kharagpur, Midnapore or Arambagh.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (flood risk in the Rupnarayan Valley)
- Airport
- CCU
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ghatal112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ghatal, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGhatal is safe for tourists, but the Rupnarayan Valley floods during the monsoon (June–September).
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata) (About 3 h by car; nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a roadside stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBasic lodge or guesthouse room, a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBasic lodge or guesthouse room, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- High-end bedBasic lodge or guesthouse room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata) (About 3 h by car; nearest major airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Dec (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ghatal: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For Birsingha (about 6 km north), hire a cycle-rickshaw or taxi from the bus stand.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi via NH 16, about 1 h
Larger town with better transport and accommodation.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi via NH 16, about 1 h
Historic town with a museum and temples.
Chandrakona
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus via NH 116A, about 45 min
Another heritage town with terracotta temples.
Keshiary
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus or taxi, about 30 min
Rural area with traditional crafts.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ghatal town centre
A few basic lodges and guesthouses; book ahead or stay in Kharagpur or Midnapore.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic lodge or guesthouse room1 × 1 night × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Bus from Kharagpur to Ghatal, one way2 × ₹100 · check | ₹200 |
| Taxi from Kharagpur to Ghatal, one way1 × ₹800 · check | ₹800 |
| Cycle-rickshaw to Birsingha, return1 × ₹300 · check | ₹300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹980 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,390 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,780≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a roadside stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Vegetarian thali | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus Kharagpur → Ghatal | ₹100–150 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Cycle-rickshaw ride within town | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ghatal lies in a flood-prone area: check weather before travelling in the monsoon.
- No rail station; the nearest are Arambagh and Panskura, both about 32 km (20 mi) away.No rail station; the nearest are Arambagh and Panskura, both about 20 mi (32 km) away.
- Limited accommodation: consider a day trip from Kharagpur or Midnapore.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Ghatalঘাটাল
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
এই ঠিকানায় যানTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Kharagpur → Ghatal: about ₹100–150 (≈ US$2), about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Kharagpur → Ghatal: about ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14), about 1 h (check)
- Cycle-rickshaw to Birsingha: about ₹300 (≈ US$4) return (check)
Say or show
- কত? — How much? (koto)
- মন্দিরটি কোথায়? — Where is the temple? (mondir-ti kothay)
- একটা চা দিন — One chai, please (ekta cha din)
- ধন্যবাদ — Thank you (dhonnobad)
Carry small notes; card acceptance is rare.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ghatal. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (flood risk in the Rupnarayan Valley) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Brindaban Chandra Temple and Vidyasagar Smriti Mandir with verified opening hours.
- Eat pages for local Bengali restaurants.
- Flood-season alert fixture.
Sources
Ask about Ghatal
Loading…
Was this useful?