Beauty of North Bengal: Alipurduar (Details, Tourist places)

By Upama Biswas

Alipurduar is a small and beautiful city of North Bengal. It is the gateway of Assam and Bhutan. Earlier it was under Jalpaiguri district but after 2014 it becomes a headquarter of Alipurduar district. West side of the town is very beautifully surrounded by Kaljani river. There are two main railway stations in this town. New Alipurduar is one of the main railway station through which many of the travellers step in to visit the town.

There are some tourist places you can visit by staying at Alipurduar town.

1. Parade Ground

Parade Ground is a largest ground situated at the centre of the town. The whole town celebrates Republic day on 26th January and Independence day on 15th August in this field. A large program of 10 days called Dooars Utsav is also celebrated in this field in winter season of every year. Dooars Kanya and all the administrative buildings of this district are situated beside this ground.

2. Markets in Alipurduar

There are 3 big markets in this town. Marowari Patti is one of this markets. Here you can find any type of clothes with a huge variety of designs. Borobazar is the another one, where you can find any vegetables and fishes. It is the largest fish market in the town. And if you want to buy something in a low budget you should go to Super market or New Alipurduar market.

3. Majherdabri Tea Estate

There is a tea estate at the north side of the town, which is known as Majherdabri Tea Estate. Tea leaves of this tea estate are sold by Dabri tea company. There is a church in this estate. This is the one and only church in the town. There is a Bajrangbali temple in this estate also. 

Distance:- 11km

Time:- approx 30mins

4. Poro

Poro is a beautiful picnic spot. Poro is devided into two parts north and south. South poro is more beautiful than north poro. 

Distance:- 9.7km

Time:- approx 23mins

5. Khayerbari Eco Park

Khayerbari is a beautiful park where the wounded animals get treated by doctors.. There is a boating area and a small park at khayerbari. Here you can find wolf, cheetah, chimpanzee, monkey, elephant, deer etc. 

Distance:- 58km

Time:- approx 1hr 17mins

6. Makrapara

In this beautiful town there is a famous Kali mata temple in makrapara. People said that in this temple if someone wish to get something then his or her wish gets fulfilled. There is a road behind this temple which goes to a monastery. That road is belongs to Bhutan government.

Distance:- 74km

Time:- approx 1hr 55mins

7. Rajabhatkhawa Forest

Rajabhatkhawa is a beautiful forest area where you can find a huge variety of trees. The name of the place literally means "The place where the king had a meal". The folklore is that the kings of the princely state Cooch behar used to come here for having picnic in the forests. There is a beautiful museum in the forest. Rajabhatkhawa Forest is a gateway of Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Distance:- 14km

Time:- approx 25mins

 8. Jayanti

It is a beautiful place where you can stay also. In Jayanti you can find a less number of resorts. There is a beautiful river in Jayanti where you can find some variety of special rocks like mineral rocks. There are two temples of bholenath situated in the mountain of Jayanti. Chota Mahakal one of the temples is situated at the distance of 7km from the river. And Bada Mahakal the another one is also 7-8km from Chota Mahakal but it only opens in february or march. 

Distance:- 30km

Time:- approx 49mins

9. Buxa Tiger Reserve

In Buxa Tiger Reserve ill tigers are treated. Buxa fort is situated in the hill area of this reserve forest. If you want to go there then you have to reach Santalabari Market by car or bus. Then you will be provided a guide for the safety of tourists. Then You have to trek 3km upwards to reach the fort. 

Distance upto Santalabari:- 30km

Time:- approx 50mins

10. Lepchakha

Lepchakha is a small village situated at the boarder of India and Bhutan. The way to reach the village is also through the Buxa hills. There is a homestay for the tourists in this village. View of sunrise and sunset form this place is awesome.

Distance:- 3km trek from Buxa fort

11. Jhalong, Bindu and Rockey Island

Jhalong is situated near Jaldhaka river with mind-blowing scenic beauty. Bindu is a small village surrounded by Jaldhaka river and situated at the Bhutan boarder.  One side of this river is belongs to Indian government and the other side belongs to Bhutan government. Most attractive thing of Bindu is Jaldhaka Barrage. It has a total power production capacity of 36.9 M.W. Rockey Island is situated beside Murti river. You can stay here. 

Average distance:- 129km

Time:- approx 2hr 49mins

12. Murti and Samsing

Murti is situated beside Murti river. This place is famous for it's scenic beauty. So many tourists are preferred this place for staying. From Murti you can go to Bindu and jhalong. There is a beautiful tea estate situated in Samsing.

Average distance:- 111km

Time:- approx 2hr 16mins

13. Cooch Behar

Cooch Behar is a neighbor town of Alipurduar. Two main visiting places are situated in Cooch Behar. One is the Palace of Cooch Kings. Now the government has converted this palace into a museum. Photography in this museum is not allowed. Museum authority arranges a light show behind the palace in the evening. And the another one is Madanmohan Bari. It's basically an antique temple. 

Distance:- 23km

Time:- approx 39mins

14. Jaldapara

Jaldapara is famous for one horned rhinoceros. In this forest you can also find peacocks, deers, elephants etc. But if you want to see the rhinos then you have to stay in the jungle. There is a bungalow for staying in the jungle. But you have to book this 2-3 months earlier from the visit. 

Distance:- 40km

Time:- approx 1hr 16mins