Top 10 Places To Visit In Jalpaiguri
Jalpaiguri is a city in West Bengal, India. It is the administrative center of Jalpaiguri district and Jalpaiguri division of West Bengal comprising the five districts of North Bengal. Traditional handicrafts, especially bamboo and mud handicrafts, are well known in Jalpaiguri. Wall hangings, jute and wood art, and other traditional ornaments are some of the other items you can bring as souvenirs and gifts.
Jalpaguri translates to Olive City and the origin of that name can also be traced back to the history of the 1900s; Once there were many thriving olive groves here. Jalpaiguri is blessed with many small but beautiful rivers and mountain peaks strewn with lush natural beauty. Apart from mountains and rivers, you can also find endless tea plantations which happens to be one of the main geographical features of this attraction so, if you are planning to travel to a cool but peaceful place, Jalapaiguri comes as a great option.
Buxa Tiger Reserve
The 760 km long Buxa Tiger Reserve is the ultimate heaven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. While one of the best places to visit in New Jalpaiguri, Buxa is a treasure trove of dense forests, flowing rivers and historic relics Buxa Castle, a British era monument offers an arduous trek and gives you an unparalleled view of the surrounding areas.
Established in 1983, this national park is home to about 284 species of birds, 450 species of trees, 130 species of aquatic plants, 250 species of trees and 400 species of herbs of Bengal. Eventually, you can simply find animals like the Indian leopard, Asian elephant, deer, and Asian golden cat. It is obviously one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in West Bengal.
Gorumara National Park
One of the best places to visit in the Dooars region of the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal, Gorumara National Park is known for its rich flora and fauna. A spectacular feature of the park is the Indian rhinos as they are remarkably numerous. Located 36 km from Jalpaiguri, Gorumara National Park is home to 50 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles, 194 species of birds and 27 species of fish.
Hop on a thrilling jungle safari that allows you to see these creatures in their natural habitat. Apart from this, the green tea gardens surrounding the park add to its beauty making it one of the top 10 places in Jalpaiguri.
Murti River
The Murti river is situated near Murti, 9 km from the main town of Jalpaiguri. In the dense forest, one can often see elephants, tigers, rhinos and other wild animals descending to the river banks to quench their thirst. So, if you like wildlife, this could be your chance to see them and maybe snap a photo or two if you’re lucky.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Located on the banks of Torsa River, very close to Jalpaiguri. The site was declared a sanctuary in 1943 to protect local wildlife. The sanctuary covers an area of about 216 sq km. The time between October and May is the best time to visit this place.
The sanctuary has a lot of natural vegetation as it is located on the banks of the Torso river. Cassia grass is the most common grass spread in the sanctuary. You can also find a variety of sal trees growing on the eastern banks of the Malangi River. The main attraction of the place is the Asian unicorn rhinoceros which can be seen here in abundance. Apart from that, you can also see various other animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Spotted Deer, Indian Bison, Hog Deer, Leopard etc. You can also see various other birds like Pallas’s Mermaid Eagle, Peacock, Crested Eagle, Jungle Bird, Shikra, Pied Hornbill, Partridges and many more .
Dooars Jalpaiguri
Photo by Boudhayan Bardhan on Unsplash
The Dooars or Duars, are a flood plain in north-eastern India lying south of the Himalayan foothills and north of the Brahmaputra river This area is about 30 km wide and 350 km long from Teesta River in West Bengal to Dhansiri River in Assam. The area is a gateway to Bhutan. It is part of the Terai Duar savanna and desert ecosystem.
Duars means “doors” in Assamese, Bengali, Maithili, Bhojpuri and Magahi. There are 18 roads or gateways between the mountains of Bhutan and the plains of India. The Sankosh River divides the region into eastern and western gateway, covering an area of 880 km2.The western gateway is sometimes called the Bengal Duars, while the eastern gateway is called the Assam Dooars.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Enjoying its proximity to the Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of a large number of elephants. The sanctuary is home to many animals like rhinos, pigs, bears and leopards. In addition to this. You can also experience bird watching as there are many kingfishers, parakeets, green pigeons and other birds. Choose a morning or afternoon safari to watch the animals enjoy their natural habitat.
Jalpesh Temple
Immerse yourself in the cultural richness of Jalpaiguri by visiting one of the most revered temples in the region-Jalpesh Temple. The temple is dedicated to Bhairava, the form of Shiva which is the Bhramari Shakti Peeth, in the form of Jalpesh. Inside the temple, the impressive structure, serene aura and ‘eternal’ Shiva Linga immediately attract one’s attention.
Especially during Mahashivratri (February to March, and July to August), the temples have the most vibrant aura. Apart from this, it also gets a huge influx of tourists from the Shravani Mela held in the month of Shravan.
Jalpaiguri Rajbari
Jalpaiguri Rajbari is a former residence of the princely Raikut family, the local rulers of the Baikunthpur estate. This historic place boasts a palace, a gallery and two temples that attract tourists. In addition, the lush garden surrounded by a pond magically enhances its beauty.
The main gate of Jalpaiguri Rajbari is an architectural marvel, one of the largest structures made of unreinforced arches. After exploring the palace, one can relax in the garden and admire the natural surroundings around him.
Jatileswar Temple
Jatileswar Temple, one of the oldest temples in Dooars district, is located at a distance of 30 km from Jalpaiguri. The temple was built in 320 AD. and 600 AD. The temple is dedicated to Baba Jatileshwar or Lord Shiva. The cathedral, filled with trees, instantly refreshes the soul for the guests. In addition to this, two water bodies can be found in the temple. You can arrange an early morning tour of the place which is quite serene.
Danguajhar Tea Estate
Located in a beautiful landscape, Danguajhar Tea Estate is one of the best hiking destinations near Jalpaiguri. Established in the early 1900s, it is one of the largest teahouses using the CTC (crush, tear, and curl) method. On your way here, you can see the tea picking process, interact with local artisans and smell the fresh tea. Apart from this, the park is perfect for nature photographers.
FAQs – Top 10 Places To Visit In Jalpaiguri
Jalpaiguri is known for its wildlife sanctuaries, spiritual temples, tea gardens and many other natural attractions that offer vacationers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
Bengali is the dominant language in Jalpaiguri.
The present District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri, Smt. Shama Parveen, I.A.S. The address of the District Magistrate’s Office is Collector’s Bhawan, Jalpaiguri.
No, New Jalpaiguri is a city of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
Whether Jalapaiguri is worth visiting depends on personal preference. It is famous for its tea gardens, wildlife sanctuaries and breathtaking landscapes that make it an attraction for nature lovers.
From New Jalpaiguri you can visit various nearby places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Dooars area which is famous for its forests and wildlife.