Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025

Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025

🐟 About the Sundarbans Hilsa Festival 2025

The Hilsa, known as ‘Ilish’ in Bengali, holds a special place in the hearts of Bengalis. Celebrated as the ‘Queen of Fish,’ the Hilsa Festival is a tribute to this beloved delicacy. Set against the backdrop of the Sundarbans, the festival offers a blend of gastronomic delights, cultural performances, and eco-tourism activities.​

📅 Festival Dates & Duration

The Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 is scheduled on the following weekends:​

  • July: 4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 25–27

  • August: 1–3, 8–10, 15–17, 22–24, 29–31

  • September: 5–7, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28​

Each tour spans 2 nights and 3 days, typically from Friday to Sunday, providing ample time to explore the region and indulge in its offerings.​

  • Seats are Limited Each Weekend – Advance Booking Recommended.

  • Pickup and Drop Facilities are available from Kolkata by private AC vehicles.

  • Flexible Menu Choices for Kids, Senior Citizens, and International Guests.

  • Customized arrangements for Corporate Groups, Families, and Private Celebrations.

🌅 Why Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 with Sonakshi Travels?

✅ Exclusive Private and Sharing Tour Options
✅ Stay at Premium AC Resorts with Private Balcony & Garden Views
✅ Freshly Cooked Customized Meals (Hilsa Specialties)
✅ Private Boat with Modern Facilities
✅ Professional Naturalist and Guide Services
✅ Live Cooking Demonstrations and Food Tasting Events
✅ Special Discounts on Group Bookings
✅ Safety Assured: Verified Resorts, Sanitized Boats, First-Aid Available

🍽️ Culinary Highlights

The festival’s centerpiece is its diverse menu, showcasing various Hilsa preparations alongside other Bengali delicacies.​sundarbantravel.com

 

 

Day 1

  • Breakfast: Veg Sandwich, Banana, Sweets, Tea & Cookies

  • Lunch: Basmati Rice, Sona Moong Dal, Beguni, Ilish Kachur Shaak, Hilsa Paturi, Sweet Curd, Chutney, Papad

  • Evening Snacks: Chicken Pakora, Tea/Coffee

  • Dinner: Monsoon Special Khichuri, Hilsa Fry, Omelette, Sweets

Day 2

  • Bed Tea: Tea/Coffee with Biscuits

  • Breakfast: Luchi, Aloo Dum, Sweets, Tea/Coffee

  • Lunch: Basmati Rice, Dal, Aloo Fry, Ichor/Potol Chingri, Vetki Fish Fry, Sorse Ilish Bhapa, Sweets, Chutney, Papad

  • Evening Snacks: Veg/Paneer Pakora, Tea/Coffee

  • Dinner: Mixed Fried Rice, Chilli Chicken, Chutney​

Day 3

  • Breakfast: Aloo Paratha, Curd, Boiled Egg, Tea/Coffee

  • Lunch: Rice, Dal, Hilsa Fry, Doi Ilish, Chutney, Papad​

Note: Menus may vary slightly based on availability and specific tour operators.​

🏨 Accommodation Options

A range of accommodations cater to different preferences and budgets:​

 

  

  • Non-A/C Cottages: Basic amenities for budget travelers.

  • A/C Cottages: Comfortable stays with air conditioning.

  • Deluxe A/C Rooms: Enhanced comfort with additional facilities.

  • Premium Resorts: Luxury accommodations with top-tier services.​

Examples include Royal Bengal Resort, Suranjana Resort, and Sundarban Tiger Camp.​

💰 Package Costs

Prices vary based on accommodation type and departure point:​

  • From Kolkata:

    • Non-A/C: ₹5,000–₹5,500 per person

    • A/C: ₹6,000–₹6,500 per person​

  • From Canning:

    • Non-A/C: ₹3,500–₹4,500 per person

    • A/C: ₹4,300–₹5,000 per person​

  • Premium Packages:

    • Deluxe A/C: ₹12,500 per person

    • 3*/4* Resorts: ₹18,500 per person​

​Prices are approximate and may vary based on specific tour operators and inclusions.​

🛶 Activities & Experiences

🌿 What to Expect During the Boat Safari

🐊 Spotting the Wildlife:

  • Crocodiles basking lazily on muddy riverbanks

  • Spotted Deer (Chital) moving gracefully along the shorelines

  • Water Monitor Lizards camouflaging among the mangrove roots

  • Wild Boars, Otters, and Fishing Cats hidden along creeks

🦅 Birdwatcher’s Paradise:

  • Watch colorful birds like Kingfishers, Egrets, Cormorants, and the rare Mangrove Pitta

  • Winter welcomes migratory birds such as Black-capped Kingfishers, Whimbrels, and Ospreys

  • Marvel at the unique sight of BraHminy Kites swooping over river waters

 

🚤 The Safari Experience

  • Start early morning: When wildlife is most active.
  • Multiple Creek Exploration: Small boats venture into narrow waterways like Sarakkhali, Pirkhali, Gazikhali, and Dobanki creeks.
  • Visit Important Watchtowers: Combine boat rides with visits to watchtowers like Sudhanyakhali, Dobanki, Netidhopani, and Sajnekhali.
  • Slow, Silent Cruising: To maximize chances of wildlife spotting without disturbing the natural habitat.
  • Photography Heaven: Bring cameras with zoom lenses for stunning shots of elusive species.

🌾 Village Walks: Interact with Local Communities and Learn About Their Traditions

Exploring the Sundarbans is not just about encountering the mesmerizing mangrove forests and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger — it is also about connecting with the soul of the land: its people.
Our Village Walks offer an authentic, immersive experience where travelers can step away from typical tourist paths and step into the everyday lives of the Sundarban villagers.

🛖 A Glimpse into a Simpler, Resilient Life

As you walk through narrow mud trails flanked by lush paddy fields, banana groves, and blooming hibiscus hedges, you will witness a lifestyle synchronized with nature’s rhythms.
These villages, often set against the serene backdrop of tidal rivers and mangrove swamps, showcase:

  • Traditional mud-plastered homes with thatched or tiled roofs

  • Handmade fishing nets drying under the sun

  • Women weaving mats from wild grass (hogla)

  • Children playing barefoot with handmade toys crafted from natural materials

Each element tells a story of sustainability, resilience, and harmony with nature.

🌿 Rich Cultural Traditions You Can Experience

🎨 Arts and Crafts:

  • Mat weaving, basket making, and pottery are common skills, passed down generations.

  • You may have the opportunity to observe or even try your hand at creating small souvenirs using local techniques.

🎶 Folk Songs and Stories:

  • Engage in heartfelt conversations with villagers and listen to ancient tales of Bonbibi — the guardian goddess of the Sundarbans.

  • Occasionally, you may be treated to spontaneous Baul music sessions, where minstrels sing soulful songs about nature, life, and spirituality.

🍛 Traditional Food:

  • Some village walks include a chance to savor local snacks like muri (puffed rice), gur (jaggery sweets), or fresh coconut water served by hospitable villagers.

📸 Perfect Moments to Capture:

  • Sunrise or sunset rays streaming through misty mangrove alleys

  • A fisherman casting his net in golden light

  • Women balancing clay pots on their heads gracefully

  • Elderly locals smiling warmly under their weathered thatched verandas

Every moment during the village walk offers soulful frames that capture the essence of a world untouched by urban haste.

🧡 Why Village Walks are Special in Sundarban Tours?

  • Cultural Understanding: Build real human connections beyond tourist attractions.

  • Eco-Tourism Ethos: Contribute to community-driven sustainable tourism.

  • Authentic Memories: Experience real Sundarbans beyond what guidebooks tell.

“When you walk through a Sundarban village, you are not just a visitor — you become a storyteller, carrying their tales of hope, hardship, and happiness into your own heart.”

 

🎶 Cultural Performances: Celebrate the Vibrant Spirit of Sundarbans

During your Sundarban Tour with Sonakshi Travels, one of the most soul-stirring experiences awaits you in the evenings — the live cultural performances organized especially for our guests.

These performances are more than just entertainment — they are a living tapestry of Bengal’s rich heritage, reflecting centuries of tradition, storytelling, and spiritual connection with nature.

✨ What to Expect in Sundarban Cultural Evenings:

 

🎵 Baul Sangeet: The Mystic Melodies

  • Immerse yourself in the soulful tunes of Baul singers, mystic minstrels known for their heartfelt, philosophical songs.

  • Listen to live performances accompanied by traditional instruments like ektara (one-string instrument) and duggi (small drum).

  • Their lyrics touch upon universal love, humanism, and the quest for the eternal soul.

💃 Local Folk Dance Performances

  • Witness the energetic folk dances performed by local artists wearing colorful traditional attire.

  • Each dance narrates tales of bravery, devotion to Mother Nature, and folklore of Sundarbans’ legendary deities like Bonbibi.

  • Feel the rhythm of drums (dhak), conch shells (shankha), and cymbals (kartal) under the open starlit sky.

🛖 Traditional Storytelling and Drama (Bonbibi Pala)

  • Experience “Pala Gaan” — a folk drama narrating the legend of Bonbibi, the guardian goddess of the Sundarban forest.

  • Artists enact the age-old conflict between humans, nature, and the spirit world through music, dialogue, and dance.

  • These performances embody the deep spiritual bond the villagers share with the mangrove ecosystem.

🎨 Local Artisan Exhibitions

  • Before or after performances, browse handicraft stalls showcasing handwoven mats, shell crafts, honey, local paintings, and more.

  • This not only promotes local talent but offers guests meaningful souvenirs supporting the rural economy.

🌟 Why You Shouldn’t Miss Sundarban Cultural Performances

✅ Authentic Village Experience
✅ Deep Insight into Sundarban Traditions
✅ Great for Family and Group Travel
✅ Relaxed, Refreshing Atmosphere After a Day of Adventure
✅ Opportunities to Interact with Local Artists

“Dance, music, and storytelling connect you not just to the place, but to the people and the soul of Sundarbans.”

When & Where

  • Timing: Every evening after dinner (around 8:00 PM)

  • Venue: Open-air performance stage inside the resort or specially arranged near the riverside on certain occasions

  • Entry: Included in your Sundarban Package Tour (Private & Group Tours)

📸 Perfect Moments to Capture:

  • Dancing under lantern lights

  • Singers lost in melody

  • Guests clapping and joining folk dancers

  • Colorful ethnic dresses against the backdrop of serene forests

🎨 Craft Workshops: Dive Into the Soul of Sundarbans

While the wild beauty of Sundarbans mesmerizes the eye, its vibrant cultural traditions touch the heart.
As part of your Sundarban Village Walk experience, we invite you to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the region through hands-on craft and culinary workshops led by local artisans and village experts.

✨ What to Expect in the Craft Workshop?

🛖 Learn Traditional Craftsmanship

  • Clay Pottery Making:
    Discover the ancient art of making earthen pots and figurines using natural riverbed clay. Feel the coolness of the clay between your fingers as expert potters guide you through the techniques.

  • Mat Weaving (Shital Pati):
    Participate in weaving traditional mats made from soft reeds and learn about the intricate patterns passed down through generations.

  • Palm Leaf Handicrafts:
    Try your hand at creating beautiful baskets, pouches, and ornaments from dried palm leaves, a craft that villagers use both for decoration and utility.

🍳 Sundarbans Culinary Secrets – Cooking Workshops

🍛 Participate in Live Cooking Sessions

  • Traditional Bengali Cooking:
    Learn to prepare authentic village-style dishes such as Panta Bhaat (fermented rice), Shorshe Ilish (Hilsa in mustard gravy), and Chingri Malai Curry (Prawns cooked in coconut milk).

  • Tribal Recipes:
    Get introduced to rare, earthy tribal recipes involving forest greens, freshwater fish, and honey collected from the mangroves.

  • Eco-Friendly Cooking:
    Experience how locals cook using clay ovens (unoon) and minimal utensils, promoting sustainable living practices.

🥄 Tasting Sessions

At the end of the workshop, sit together with fellow travelers and savor the delicious dishes you helped create — a truly gratifying farm-to-table experience.

🎯 Highlight Experiences

  • Hands-on practice with guidance from village elders

  • Understand the stories, beliefs, and rituals behind each craft

  • Take home your handmade souvenir (wherever possible)

  • Interactive Q&A with local chefs and craft masters

📸 Perfect For:

  • Cultural enthusiasts

  • Food lovers

  • Families with children (great for educational experiences)

  • Photographers and bloggers looking for unique content

“Crafting with your own hands or cooking with local ingredients amidst the rustic beauty of Sundarbans creates memories that go far beyond sightseeing — it’s about connecting with the heart and soul of the land.”

🌿 Eco & Community Tourism at its Best

By participating in these workshops, you are also contributing to the local economy and helping preserve age-old traditions that are slowly vanishing.
Sonakshi Travels is proud to promote responsible and sustainable tourism, supporting artisans and small communities in the Sundarbans.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best time to attend the festival?
A: The festival runs from July to September, coinciding with the monsoon season, which is ideal for experiencing the Hilsa catch and the lush beauty of the Sundarbans.​

Q: Are vegetarian options available?
A: Yes, most tour operators provide vegetarian alternatives upon request.​

Q: Is the festival suitable for children?
A: Absolutely. The festival offers activities that are enjoyable for all age groups.​

Q: What should I pack?
A: Lightweight clothing, rain gear, insect repellent, and comfortable footwear are recommended.