PHOTOS
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Siliguri
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About the City Siliguri
As one of the most important transportation hubs in the north east, Siliguri has recently become something of a boom town. Sprawling and boisterous, modern condominiums dominate the landscape on entering the town, followed by endless streets of market stalls which surround a core of car show rooms and shopping centers. While it is a popular place to shop and do business for people from the North East and Bhutan, there is no good reason for tourists to linger in Siliguri. However, travelers heading towards Bhutan, Darjeeling and Sikkim may need to spend a night here. Siliguri is the second largest city in West Bengal, after Kolkata. Attractions in Siliguri Jaldapara 124 km from Siliguri via New Teesta Bridge (Jalpaiguri), it is a wildlife sanctuary which houses rhions, bisons, barking deer and wild elephant. Jaldhaka 87 km, by the side of jaldhaka river on the Bhutan border, is a scenic picnic spot. Gourmara 87km, is a compact wildlife sanctuary. There is a Forest Rest House here. Cooch-Behar 104km, is capital of the erstwhile state of the same name, and has parks, palaces and temples. The palace here has been recently restored. Mahananda Weir 18 km, is a picnic spot inside the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Kalijhora 27 km, is a picnic spot by the side of the Teesta river. It is ideal for fishing. Gajoldoba on Tista Barrage An hour's drive from Siliguri through the Baikunthapur forests will take you to Gajoldoba (25 km) an ideal place for bird watchers. The place has been a boon to the migratory water fouls after a dam was constructed for irrigational purposes on river Tista.The reservoir, surrounded by dense forests of Baikunthapur, invites a large collection of water birds from Ladakh and Central Asia. Spend some leisurely hours on the spur with a binocular and watch the Brahmini ducks, bar headed goose, Poachards, Pintails, Shovlers, mallards, black Ibis, and many species of storks, cormorants and ducks. Fulbari Barrage 15 km from Siliguri on Siliguri - Jalpaiguri highway is lesser-known artificial water body - Fulbari. Here Mahananda, the most important river of Siliguri forms a huge marshy land which provides ideal nestling place for migratory water fouls like Rudy shell, Mallard, open bull stork and much more. Best time to visit the place is December - February. Recreation Center (Madhuban) A popular picnic spot and lover'spoint, Madhuban is 15 km north of Siliguri on the way to Mirik-Siliguri highway. A park is created on the natural environment of Mahananda wild life sanctuary. A large number of city dwellers visit the park, which also holds a small zoo inside. Sevoke, Kalijhora, Mongpong A popular day out for tourists in Siliguri combines Sevok, Kalijhora and Mongpong. The places are within 8-10 km from one another and are about within 30 km from the city. Situated on the foothills of Kalimpong and surrounded by forested hills and vast river basin, all the three places provide a much desired break from the chaotic urban life. The coronation bridge of Sevoke, built by the British before independence, is a piece of unique architecture. The sevoke kali temple, placed on top of a steep rock, provides a grant bird eye view of Tista. Surrounded by Sal and Teak forests, the Mongpong forest rest house presents a great panoramic view of Tista valley and Mahananda forests. Rohini 25 kms on the way to Mirik Rohini is another attractive tourist spot. There is a tourism accommodation at Rohini where tourists can spend a night among the nature. Dudhia A common tourist spot on the Siliguri-Mirik highway. Panighata and lohagarh About 25 km from Siliguri, both places are located on the bank of river Mechi on the Indo-Nepal border. A nice camping place, with beautiful landscape combining forests, low hills, rivers and teagardens. Dhulabari, a famous foreign goods market in Nepal, is only half an hour drive from here. |