Purbasthali: A Birdwatcher’s Haven

If you need a break from history and temples, Purbasthali (or Chupi Char) is the place to breathe. It’s an oxbow lake that turned into a massive bird sanctuary. Every winter, thousands of migratory birds fly in from as far as Tibet and Central Asia. The best way to see them is to hire a small wooden boat. As the boatman paddles silently through the clear water and water lilies, you’ll get incredibly close to ospreys and kingfishers. It’s the perfect, quiet finale to a trip through Bengal’s heartland.