Places to visit in North Bengal.
Introduction
North Bengal is also known as the doors region. North Bengal is a place where you can visit once a year during your holidays, vacations, etc. North Bengal is famous for its natural beauty, different cultures, different foods, and many more. Some places are also called the hidden gems in North Bengal.
North Bengal is mixed with different types of peoples with their different languages and festivals. The offbeat places in North Bengal are much more beautiful as compared to towns and cities. You can see many naturalized things in the way you visit with lots of Flora and fauna. North Bengal is a small area in West Bengal. Here are some details to visit some amazing places in North Bengal:-
Places to visit in North Bengal
Rabdentse Ruins
It is a must-visit in Pelling. The long trail through the untouched conifers, the sprawling ruins, and the surrounding mountains make for some wonderful memories to be made. The place is a must-see for history enthusiasts who want to dig into the state’s past in between the spectacular view of Kanchenjunga peak and the gushing river flowing through the foothills. The ruins of Rabdentse Palace are just a walk away from the Pemayangtse Monastery through the dense forest on the way to Pelling.
As one enters the gate, the chestnut trees welcome the visitors by dropping mosses on them and lead to the stone throne consisting of three standing stones known as ‘Namphogang’ where the judges used to pronounce the final judgment. Walking a little further, one will see ‘Taphap Chorten’ which was the entry point of the palace, while the ruins are at the center of the fourth courtyard which offers the mesmerizing view of the southwestern region of Sikkim. One of the most beautiful and peaceful places to spend some time and get fresh air. The ruins of Rabdentse are so well maintained by the Govt. of Sikkim.
Buxa Fort
This fort was made by the British government. Great trekking spot with historical importance. It is located in the Buxa wildlife sanctuary. This was a jail for freedom fighters. It is said that Netaji was also captive for some time. Even freedom fighters sent a letter to Rabindranath Tagore and he also replied to them.
The Fort boasts of keeping some of the most eminent freedom fighters of Bengal province as its inmates, and that includes Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who some say had managed to escape from there. The trek to the fort will leave you spellbound with the natural beauty all around and will be worth the walk. The trek further will take you to Lepchakha, which is the Bhutan border literally, and quite picturesque.
During that point of time, there existed a train line near the Jayanti river from there people had to walk to Salthalbari and then up to the Buxa Fort. The present situation is terrible, only a handful of prison quarters are there. All the others are dilapidated. Another fact about this place is that when China occupied Tibet, many Tibetans came down to this Fort and stayed here for many years. But it needs maintenance; only a few handfuls of prison quarters are there. Jayanti Mahakal located along the shores of the Jayanti River and shares its natural border with the hills of Bhutan is another favored sightseeing place of Buxa National Park.
It is another popular destination for covering a trek of around 13 km from Buxa Tiger Reserve. The main entry to Buxa Tiger Reserve is at a place known as Rajabhatkhawa – a small settlement at the fringe of the reserve. The best time to visit this place is at the onset of monsoons. The trekking to this fort is amazing. The entire hill remains covered with brightly colored green pastures which are soothing to look at.
Sandakphu
Sandakphu is also known as Sandakpur, is a small Himalayan hamlet situated on the top of a mountain peak in the Singalila Ridge and Singalila National Park (famous for red Panda) on the border between India and Nepal. Sandakphu is the highest point of West Bengal.
The beautiful views of the forests of bamboo, pine, and fir trees, with the blooming rhododendron flowers in March and April, and the grand views of the Himalayan peaks of the Kanchenjunga range, Lhotse, Makalu, and Everest along the route more than made up for the inconveniences of a bumpy Jeep ride and the cold nights in the mountains. Spotting wild animals like snow leopard, red panda or black bears is a rarity but they do inhabit the Singalila National Park.
Sighting birds like Khaleej Pheasant, Wood Pigeons, Scarlet Minivets, and Babblers were more common. Situated above the level of the normal clouds, the Sandakphu summit offers a pristine view of four of the five highest peaks of the world, namely, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu on clear days. The mountain formation is famously known as ‘Sleeping Buddha’ as the appearance resembles the head, face, upper body, and feet of the sage Lord Buddha.
The azure sky, green forests, and the massive snow-capped Himalayan peaks make the place a photographer’s paradise and a nature lover’s dream destination. The beauty of Kanchenjunga during your walk would give you enough goosebumps to complete this trek no matter how hard it would be for you. The homestays in Sandakphu offer you a green valley at the backdrop of gigantic Kanchenjunga. On your left side, while viewing the world’s 3rd highest peak, one could get to see the world’s highest, fourth, & fifth highest peaks that are Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu if the sky is clear.
Although October – December is the best time to visit Sandakphu, we got a similar flavor in early May. Showers after 11 am/12 pm till 6 pm are usual during this time considering the weather in the mountains is highly unpredictable. The only safe transport to Sandakphu is the local multi-terrain vehicle Land Rover. Sandakphu trips should preferably be avoided by people with altitude sickness and any respiratory disease.
This remote place is also not suitable for comfort lovers as the few hotels present here can’t always offer even the basic necessities. But if you are a none-too-complaining adventurous traveler and an ardent nature lover then Sandakphu is the right place for you.
Nathula
Nathula is around two hours drive from Gangtok. It is at a height of approx 14000 ft. Nathula is the last post in India and after that China starts. It is cold and salutes to our soldiers who work under tremendous hardships. Doklam is approximately eight-kilometer away from where India, China, and Bhutan border meets.
Mountains are covered with snow. It requires a permit from the army to visit the place, so apply in advance or ask a travel agent to do so. Also, take winter clothing as it can be very cold, especially October – January. Nathula Pass is situated on the Indo-Chinese border and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in India. Several tourists flock here every year for trekking in the valley and enjoy the scenic beauty. Many waterfalls gush along the way from Gangtok to NathuLa. It also offers an opportunity to see beautiful snow peaks in this area.
The region also supports Himalayan wildlife like Tibetan gazelle, snow leopard, yaks, Tibetan wolves, etc. Nathu La Pass has a rich variety of flora apart from a spectacular wildlife range. Must visit.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is the most wonderful place in Darjeeling, West Bengal. People visit this place in the early morning around 4 am to have a glimpse of the most pleasing and beautiful sunrise from the top of the hill. This is a mesmerizing experience and a memorable moment. You must wear a heavy woolen cap and gloves.
Get your camera charged. Lots of people sell coffee, tea, snacks, etc. And finally after reaching the top…You feel crowded. And our Indian language it’s called meela…When the time comes a red circle appears in front of you “FRESH SUN OR BABY SUN”. First comes up thin golden rays from the eastern side from where the sun will arise, by seeing the rays people’s voice starts. Now the Sun starts rising from the back of the mountain with a very red golden sun that looks like a ball & people started chiming & taking photos of the scene. Remember, if weather permits then you can enjoy the sunrise, weather can change anytime.
The fog and the mist play a mystical game here all the time. They can come from nowhere and put a white blanket all around. So no one can guarantee a perfect sunrise view from Tiger Hill or from anywhere in Darjeeling. But first red light scatters in Kanchenjunga hills which is the main reason it’s called tiger hill…blurry and faded but beautiful…The sunrise is okay but the reflection on the majestic Himalayan range is fascinating.
The color, the feel, and the sound of the camera clicks will make this trip an experience for a lifetime. You can see the world’s rooftop Mount Everest from this site even though the five-meter highest peak Makalu appears here because of the curvature of the earth observe the watched mountains landscape around you and the rivers which mender to the South visit the wildlife sanctuary situated close to the Summit remember to bring your hiking boots and warm clothing for this winter also check the weather conditions as it may be very foggy or it may rain the best time to visit here is in October and November.
You can get a taxi from the hotel in the early morning to come hereafter an hour’s journey from the main Darjeeling city. The best time to visit Tiger Hill is generally around October, November, and December in winter and February to April in Autumn. No entry fee is taken from tourists. However, it costs about INR 1200 -1800 to book a cab to the Hill from the main Darjeeling city. You may enjoy the view with some coffee too.
Gorumara National Park
Gorumara National Park is one of the most attractive places in West Bengal. This park is located in the Malbazar subdivision of Jalpaiguri district, in the state of West Bengal in India. This region has rolling forests and riverine grasslands and is known as the Dooars in West Bengal.
The park is located on the floodplains of the Murti River and Raidak River. The major river of the park is the Jaldhaka River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra river system. The park is rich in large herbivores including Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Asian elephant, sloth bear, chital, and sambar deer. Small herbivores include barking deer, hog deer, and wild boar. Tigers are, however, occasionally spotted here. Birds at the Gorumara National Park include submontane forest birds like the scarlet minivet, sunbird, Asian paradise flycatchers, spangled drongo, and Indian hornbill.
The park is home to a large number of snakes, venomous and non-venomous, including the Indian python, one of the largest snakes in the world, and the king cobra. To reach there you can go to New Mal Junction railway station or Bagdogra airport. From there you can take a taxi to reach the area.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
Chapramari wildlife The closest railway station is Malbazar Rail Station. Chapramari is located around two hours’ drive from Siliguri, the principal city in northern Bengal. The access from Jalpaiguri passes through the dense forests of the Batabari range. Due to complications caused by monsoons, the wildlife sanctuary remains closed each year from mid-July to mid-September.
A large variety of flora and fauna are found in the forests. Chapramari is known for its elephant population. Indian bison are very common in the Chapramari region. Rhinoceros, Deer, boars, and leopards are also found there. The place is popular with bird watchers, with parakeets, kingfishers, and green pigeons found in abundance. You will enjoy it a lot even when you will go with your family or friends. Not many options to stay in the forest. You can stay at nearby resorts in Gorumara / Lataguri and then come in a Jeep.
The road from Khunia to the forest is breathtaking. Road conditions are very good. You will enjoy driving the road by Bike or Car. But be aware, elephants may stop you anytime a marauding leopard was captured in Dooars and released into Chapramari. Malbazar Rail Station is the closest rail hub. Chapramari is located around two hours’ drive from Siliguri, the principal city in northern Bengal. The access from Jalpaiguri passes through the dense forests of the Batabari range.
Due to complications caused by monsoons, the wildlife sanctuary remains closed each year from mid-July to mid-September. West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited operates a Chapramari camp. Stay calm and don’t disturb the wildlife. Do visit and create beautiful memories.
Cooch Behar palace
Excellent palace at the city of Coochbehar in North Bengal. This attracts tourists from all over the country. Wonderful scenery and beautiful flowers are blossoming in the well-organized garden around the palace. Inside the palace, there is splendid architectural work to behold.
There is room for arms and ammunition used during the days when the monarchs were reigning the kingdom. The palace carries many traditions. The artwork of the palace is very beautiful. The beauty of the palace is further enhanced by the serene atmosphere and the chirping of birds amid the hustle and bustle of the city. And the museums inside the palace are my favorite. There are many old-fashioned things, such as guns, musical instruments, clothing, furniture, weapons, etc.
All these are being maintained in superb condition. Beautiful architectural work inside and outside the workplace. During the night it looks awesome from outside. The area of Rajbari Palace is huge. People come here to hang out with friends and family. Beautification and maintenance of the parking area are done periodically. The place is environmentally friendly and hygienic. In front of the Rajbari gate, there is always a traffic jam. The parking area is separate and it is just beside the Rajbari.
There are some fast food stalls in front of the Palace. Inside the palace, there are different showpieces used by Maharajas. You can use a camera outside the Coochbehar Rajbari palace. 2-3 hours will be sufficient to visit the place. There are ample spaces for parking too. Also, all types of communication and commutation are always available. One might feel extremely comfortable and cherish once visiting this palace and like to revisit the place time and again.
Mahakal Temple
The main Mahakal temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and it witnesses devotees from all sections of society and religions most visiting the temple for both leisure or pilgrimage. Bells and hundreds of colorful prayer flags line the uphill walk and the shrine.
The climb to the top may be a little tiring, especially for the elders but it’s worth it. You can take a break in between and enjoy the beautiful view as you climb the narrow road which leads to the temple. One has to open the shoe before reaching the main temple. There are idols of Lord Buddha alongside the Lingams where both a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk perform religious rituals and offer prayers simultaneously.
It is an uphill narrow road about 100 yards from the Mall and is accessible by foot only. There’s also a place near the temple door to keep shoes and slippers. This was worth seeing because this is the only place where you will see both Buddhist and Hindu worship together in the same place.
There is a mixture of both Buddhist and Hindu Iconography and a very uplifting vibe about the place. At the Shiva shrine, there was both a Brahmin priest performing the puja and a Buddhist monk doing Japa. It was very inspiring. Great Place.
Delo park
Delo Park is the most popular and sought-after tourism hotspot of Kalimpong. This is the highest point of Kalimpong town and it can be reached by hiring a taxi from the motor stand of Kalimpong. Typically, this park is included in the itinerary of a full-day Kalimpong sight-seeing tour, which also includes other pertinent locations like the Pine View Nursery, Mangal Dham Pranami Temple, and a lot more.
Outside the main gate of Delo Park, you will come across several stalls, from where you can book a paragliding session for yourself. Don’t forget to relish some lip-smacking & authentic Momos, which are sold in small food joints outside the park. There are many paragliding offices outside of this park. This park is created to sit and enjoy the view of people who are paragliding in Kalimpong. This place has little huts at a considerable distance. Which is an awesome place to sit and enjoy the view.
If the weather is too cold the park is filled with fog. Excellent Scenic Natural Beauty. You can enjoy the cold wind in the presence of pleasant sunlight on the Top of the Delo park-in front of Delo Resort. Local Nepali attire is also available for both Male & females to mingle with the resident. Good quality ice cream with a reasonable rate is also available. But, for lunch you have to plan well ahead of reaching, else it is difficult to get quality Indian food Veg/Non Veg. You can take an awesome snap of the total Vally from the top. Horse riding, jumping & slides are also available for kids.
There are beautiful flowers all around the place. There are so many sitting arrangements that you can easily rest and chill out with your friends or family. This park needs an entry ticket and it is worth rs 10 only. For foreigners, it costs 50. Must visit if you get a chance to visit Kalimpong. Highly recommended.
Best time to visit in North Bengal
The best time to visit in dooars is during winter November to February. During that period there is no rain, the temperature remains cool. You can enjoy the dense forest and visibility of nature during this period.
Where to stay
There are several hotels and lodges in north Bengal. You can stay there and enjoy the bonfire. You can stay in the middle of the natural beauty and fresh environment.
Conclusion
Lastly, I would like to conclude this article by motivating you to visit such places given above in the following details. Many more are there. For Sure you will fall in love with these mesmerizing places. You must visit these amazing places with your groups, families, friends, etc..to spend your quality of time and create some memories. As we all know that North Bengal is the heart of the world. So don’t miss your chance to visit if you get it.
