Khirai, the bewitching flower-hub of Bengal

‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, this proverb suits well with today’s monotonous and hectic life of people. Therefore, a day out trip is the ultimate solution to break the stress level. A mini-break to Bengal’s very own flower valley, ‘Khirai’, can be a refreshing cut-off from our daily manic life.

Sounds surprising but it is true that West Bengal has her very own flower-hub. Visiting ‘Khirai’ flower valley can be a mesmerizing experience for the visitors because various colorful flowers are farmed in Khirai.

 

A glance at the flower valley rises a thought in mind about Mother Nature’s artistry skill, that how she has played with different colors to create a master piece.

From distance ‘Khirai’ looks like a painting where you find train moving through the rail bridge just above the flower valley and beside the river.

 

 

Where is Khirai?

‘Khirai’ is a small village in rural Bengal, located next to Panskura in East Medinapore and residing besides the bank of  River Kansabati or Kansai which further flows in Bay of Bengal.

 

How to reach Khirai?

This flower-hub of Bengal is definitely a must visit for the people of West Bengal and Kolkata and other neighboring states. Distance between Kolkata and Khirai is approx.91 km and it is well connected to Kolkata by road and railways.

• By road: It can be a pleasurable long drive if you decide to come down by road. From Kolkata it will take two and half hours to reach Khirai via NH.16. Don’t forget to use the GPS.

Bus service is also available from Kolkata. From Dharmatala (Esplanade, Kolkata) board the bus for             Medinapore/Panskura. Once you get down at Panskura, you can book e-rickshaw or Toto to reach Khirai within 15-20 mins.

• By railway: You can reach also by local trains. Travelling by train can be an exciting option as you get to see the view of lash greenery of Bengal. From Howrah Station a number of local trains are available. Catch the South-eastern local train – Medinapore local or Kharagpur Local. If you catch Panskura local train then get down at Panskura and book a Toto to Khirai. But it is advisable to take a direct train to Khirai for a hustle free  journey.

 

 

 

• Local train timing:

 Howrah – Kharagpur local: 7:20 A.M – 9:10 A.M / 11:00 A.M – 12:58 P.M

Howrah – Medinapore local: 8:05 A.M – 9:05 A.M / 8:50 A.M – 10:37 A.M

Howrah – Medinapore local: 9:45 A.M – 11:32 A.M / 10:30 A.M – 12:15 P.M

Howrah – Balichak local: 11:20 A.M – 1:09 P.M

 

Best time to visit:

Best time for a visit is the winter season. The blooming is at its best and brightest during winter. From December to March Khirai turns into a captivating flower vale. But rest of the year you will hardly find flowers because farmers are then busy farming vegetables.

 

 

 

Exploring Khirai:

Not many are aware that Bengal has such a mesmerizing gift for her people. So a sincere thanks to some You-tubers who have brought Khirai to people’s notice off late.

Although this place still falls under the category of offbeat destination. But Khirai has been existing for quite a long time now.

 

 

• Flowers grown –

This flower-hub is home to a variety of flowers like Marigold, Chrysanthemum (Chandramallika), Cockscomb (Morogjhutu), Gladiolus, Dahlia, Cosmos (Kusum), Aster and many more.

 

 

 

 

• Vegetables grown –

Even you will get to see a few vegetables like Cauliflower, Cabbage, Radish, etc. Vegetable farmers involve themselves in flower farming for extra income and rest of the year the farmers grow only vegetables.

 

 

Once the flowers bloom, the farmers pluck the flowers and sell it. You will find small flower shops in Khirai, where farmers sell it at a very cheap rate. Village ladies sometimes make jewelry and garlands out these flowers and sell it.

 

 

 

• Exporting of flowers –

Farmers sell these flowers in markets of Kolkata and in different parts of West Bengal. These flowers are also exported via air route to major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kanpur, etc.

 

 

The vale filled with bloomed flowers like Marigold, Aster, Cockscomb, etc. may give you a feel of the Himalayan flower valleys though Khirai has no mountains, hills or meadows.

 

• About Chrysanthemum – 

The other side of the valley, opposite to the Khirai railway bridge and a little walk through a narrow path by the side of railway track leads you to a bewitching sight of blooming white Chrysanthemum (Chandramallick) flowers.

The flowers grow so dense that it looks like as if the field is covered with layer of snow. This flower survives for 7-8 days, farmers say.

 

 

Though white Chrysanthemum is grown in abundance, you will also find yellow Chrysanthemum but much lesser in number. It is because farming yellow Chrysanthemum can be quite expensive.

 

You can also visit the bank of river Kansabati or Kansai, which is the major source for flower farming in this region. A Rose garden is also located nearby.

You can visit the field through a very narrow path created in between the gardens to walk and see the flowers. But entry into the garden is forbidden and a penalty of 5000/- rupees will be charge if any one breaks in.

This rule is inculcated because some individuals just barge in and either plucks the flowers or destroy the garden. Mostly locals of this region is involved in farming for their livelihood.

 

 

• A special request to the readers who plan to visit Khirai, please don’t pollute the environment and do not destroy the flowers as these are result of the hard work of the farmers. Also do buy some flowers from the small flower shops as this will be a little to them.

 

• Little piece of  advice –

As you plan to pay a visit to Khirai, make sure you stuff your bag with enough water, dry food, cap, umbrella and camera. There is no food availability. So without food you might starve and have to come all the way back to Panskura station for food.

Local train journey will be cheaper and will take lesser time to reach.

 

If you take the road, then start little early and reach Kolaghat by the time of breakfast. A number food joints and restaurants are at Kolaghat. After breakfast continued your journey to Khirai via NH16 and take the route to Panskura.

As you arrive, car parking facility is available under the railway bridge just beside the entrance of the field. There is no entry fee. Visitors from neighboring areas make frequent visits.

 

• Remember –

Just outside the field you will find a number of flower shops out of which ‘Good’ flower shop is the most popular one. Baba and Karan run this shop and sell a variety of flowers at a cheaper rate.

Flower shows are also common in this region. Aujuna flower show is held on Saturdays during a carnival. Flower shows like Guddi and Teekah are held weekly.

 

Locals of this region are simple, kind and always smiling. Their simplicity and polite behavior will definitely please you.

After exploring Khirai, it is definitely advisable to enjoy the sunset at the Kansai river bank before returning back home.