Jalpāiguri, India
Region: West Bengal
Geographic Coordinates: 26.516700, 88.733300
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 35.0°C (59°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 107341
Language: Bengali
Jalpaiguri is a city in West Bengal, India, Located on the banks of the Teesta River and surrounded by tea gardens and forests. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its wildlife sanctuaries, Tea plantations, And scenic beauty. One of the major attractions in Jalpaiguri is Gorumara National Park which covers an area of 80 square kilometers and houses various species of animals including elephants, Rhinos, Bison, Leopards among others. Tourists can enjoy jeep safaris through the park to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Another popular attraction is Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary which houses one-horned rhinoceroses along with other animals such as elephants, Tigers etc. Visitors can take elephant rides through this sanctuary to get a closer look at these magnificent beasts. Apart from wildlife sanctuaries Jalpaiguri also has some beautiful temples that attract tourists from all over India. One such temple is the Baneswar Shiva Temple which boasts intricate carvings and sculptures that are sure to leave visitors spellbound.
The tea gardens are another major attraction where tourists can witness how tea leaves are plucked before being processed into different types of teas like Darjeeling Tea or Assam Tea etc.. These lush green plantations provide breathtaking views of rolling hills covered with verdant greenery. Jalpaiguri also offers several adventure activities like trekking through dense forests or rafting down roaring rivers for those seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences amidst nature’s bounty. In terms of transportation facilities Jalpaiguri has excellent connectivity via roadways as well as railways making it easy for tourists to reach the city.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport which is around 50 km from the city. Overall, Jalpaiguri offers a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in India making it a perfect destination for nature lovers, Adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.
- Gorumara National Park
- Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jalpesh Temple
- Rajbari Park
- Teesta Barrage
- Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhutanghat
- Cooch Behar Palace
- The major industries and businesses in Jalpāiguri, India are:
- Agriculture
- Tea production
- Forestry
- Tourism
- Small-scale manufacturing
- The district is known for its tea gardens which produce high-quality Darjeeling tea.
- The region also has a significant forest cover which supports the timber industry.
- Agriculture is another important sector with crops like paddy, jute, maize being grown here.
- The tourism industry is growing rapidly with attractions such as Gorumara National Park and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary drawing visitors from all over the country.
- Small-scale manufacturing units producing items like textiles and handicrafts are also present in the district.
- The region was ruled by the Koch dynasty from the 16th century until it was annexed by the British in 1865.
- During British rule, Jalpāiguri became an important center for tea cultivation and trade.
- Notable people from Jalpāiguri include Raja Rammohan Roy, a social reformer who played a key role in the abolition of sati (widow burning) and founded the Brahmo Samaj; and Subhas Chandra Bose, a prominent Indian nationalist leader who fought for India’s independence from British rule.
- In 1947, after India gained independence, Jalpāiguri became part of West Bengal state.
- In recent years, Jalpāiguri has been affected by floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and deforestation in nearby areas. The region is also home to several indigenous communities who have faced displacement due to development projects such as dams and highways.
- Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Buxa Fort
- Gorumara National Park
- Mahakal Temple, Jalpāiguri
- Coronation Bridge (Sevoke Bridge)
- Rajbari Palace, Cooch Behar
- Tea Gardens of Dooars
- Kali Mandir, Jalpāiguri
- Jatileshwar Temple, Jalpāiguri
- The Science City of North Bengal
- The Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival is an annual event in December that honors the tea culture of Jalpāiguri. Visitors can participate in a range of tea-related activities, cultural performances, and indulge in traditional food.
- The Bihu Festival is celebrated by the Assamese community in Jalpāiguri during April to mark the beginning of the harvest season. Attendees can enjoy traditional dance performances and local delicacies.
- Durga Puja is one of India’s most popular festivals, celebrated with great zeal every September-October in Jalpāiguri. Visitors can witness elaborate pandals adorned with intricate artwork depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
- Rath Yatra is an annual chariot procession that takes place during June-July to celebrate Lord Jagannath’s journey to his aunt’s house as per Hindu mythology.
- Kali Puja, held during October-November, is a significant festival for Bengalis residing in Jalpāiguri where they worship Goddess Kali with elaborate rituals and offerings.
- The Maghe Sankranti Mela occurs annually on January 14th to commemorate the winter solstice and mark longer days ahead with various cultural programs such as music concerts and dance competitions.
- Basant Utsav or Vasantotsav is an annual spring festival celebrated by people across India, especially North East region including Jalpaiguri district which includes various cultural programs like singing, dancing etc.
- Momos: These are steamed or fried dumplings filled with vegetables or meat. Some popular momo places in Jalpāiguri are Momo King, Momo Plaza, and Kanchenjungha Momos.
- Thukpa: This is a noodle soup made with vegetables and/or meat. Some popular thukpa places in Jalpāiguri are Bittu’s Kitchen, Tashi Delek Restaurant, and Himalayan Cafe.
- Churpee: This is a type of hard cheese made from yak milk. It is often eaten as a snack or used as an ingredient in dishes like churpee curry.
- Fish curry: Fish is a staple food in West Bengal, and fish curry is a popular dish here. Some popular fish curry places in Jalpāiguri are Purbasha Hotel & Restaurant, New Bengal Hotel & Restaurant, and Shere Punjab Dhaba.
- Tea: Jalpāiguri is known for its tea plantations so it’s no surprise that tea is a big part of the local cuisine here; you can find many tea shops selling different varieties of tea throughout the city.
- Biryani: This is a rice dish cooked with spices and either chicken or mutton (goat meat). Some popular biryani places in Jalpāiguri are Royal Biryani House, Aminia Restaurant & Caterer’s Service Pvt Ltd., and Nizam’s Kolkata Biryani House.
- Sweets: Bengali sweets like rasgulla (spongy balls made from chhena cheese soaked in syrup) and sandesh (sweetened cottage cheese) can be found at many sweet shops throughout the city.
- Gorumara National Park is a well-known wildlife sanctuary that is home to Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic elephants and Bengal tigers.
- Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is another wildlife reserve where you can find rare animals like the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, and leopards.
- Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for birdwatchers as it houses over 250 species of birds.
- Buxa Tiger Reserve not only has tigers but also other endangered species such as clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear and Indian elephant.
- Rajabhatkhawa Nature Interpretation Centre is a nature park with a museum that showcases the flora and fauna of the region.
- Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary has diverse range of flora and fauna including leopards, elephants, bison and deer.
- Gajoldoba Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of river Teesta is an important birding destination where you can spot several migratory birds during winters.
- Lataguri Eco Park offers trekking trails, boating facilities etc., located near Gorumara National Park.
- Riverside Picnic Spot at Teesta Barrage Project Dam Site – A scenic picnic spot located on the banks of river Teesta where you can enjoy fishing or just relax in nature’s lap.
- Kalijhora Waterfalls – Located 27 km from Jalpaiguri town this waterfall is a popular picnic spot with stunning views.
