Sakhai Ghat: The Ajay-Bhagirathi Confluence

This is one of the few places in Bengal where two major rivers with distinctly different characters meet in full view. The Ajay River, flowing from the wilder western regions, is prone to seasonal flooding, its waters clouded with silt from the Birbhum and Jharkhand highlands. In contrast, the Bhagirathi, a sacred distributary of the Ganges from the north, has historically served as the primary artery for Bengal’s riverine trade. At Sakhai Ghat, the confluence of the two rivers is visible from the bank, their different water colours and currents distinguishable to the eye before they merge.
The ghat has deep religious significance. As a triveni (the confluence point) it is considered especially auspicious for ritual bathing. Pilgrims come for the Makar Sankranti dip, which has added significance at Katwa given the association with Chaitanya’s sanyasa. During this period, the ghat and the river are crowded with pilgrims. At other times, the ghat is quiet and contemplative, with fishermen’s boats, the sounds of the two rivers and wide views across both channels.
Adjacent to the ghat is the Rajbari area, where the Katwa Royal Palace (Katwa Rajbari) is located. The palace building, once the seat of local zamindars, is architecturally notable though not fully open to the public. It is worth observing from the exterior.