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Dooars in West Bengal
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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
A lovely natural wilderness strewn with a number of perennial streams and flanked by the rivers Malangi and Torsa from the east to west. 65 km of lush panorama of mighty trees interspersed in a sea of tall grasslands. This is Jaldapara, 121 km from Siliguri, the permanent abode of wildlife and that of the one-horned Indian rhino. Here also roam the Indian bison, elephant, tiger, birds and reptiles. Located in the Jalpaiguri district it was constituted in 1941 for the protection of wildlife especially the one horned rhinos. River Torsha runs through the forest and is instrumental for its tall grass. The sanctuary is also home to the Royal Bengal tiger, wild elephants, deers, swamp deer, hog deer, wild pigs, bison and a number of birds
The sanctuaries at Gorumara and Chapramari also have forest bungalows. Six m from Nainaguri is the Jalpesh temple housing in its sanctum a Sivalingam called ‘Anadi’ (without a beginning and hence the original). The temple, with a dome like a mosque, was built in 1665.
There is a big Shivratri fair near the Jalpesh temple early in the year, and there is a Gopastami fair at Patakata, Jalpaiguri in October-November.
32 kms from Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Jalpaiguri is Buxa Tiger Reserve which was declared so in 1982-83. The Buxa fort is also located here. October to April is the best time to visit.
How to reach Dooars
From Kolkata to Bagdora by air of to New Jalpaiguri / Siliguri by train. From Siliguri to Hasimara by rail or road. From there Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is quite near.
Where to stay
Madaihat Tourist lodge , Hollong Forest Lodge Phone - (03563) 262228 within the sanctuary, and others.
Jaldapara Tourist Lodge P.O. - Madarihat, District - Jalpaiguri. Phone : Madarihat (03563) 262230
West Bengal - Myriad Colours
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Ideal time to Visit - October - March
Capital - Kolkatta
Road trip summary, time, kms and tolls and other information required to plan your road trip.
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Planning a visit to West Bengal read through travelogues to plan your trip
The best time to visit West Bengal is October to March
October-March is relatively less humid and is the time of the 10 day Durga puja festival. Sunderbans is also opened at this time for visitors. In summers the temp goes to 38 degrees, and the humidity levels are very high. In winters the temperatures may fall to 10 degrees. Teesta Tea and Tourism Festival is held in November.
The hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong is best visited from March to June. June to August is the rainy season here.
Best time to visit - October to May
Stay - Mandarihat Tourist Lodge (0356-362230), Hollong Forest Lodge, Barbabari Tourist Lodge, Youth hostel.
How to reach
By air - Bagdogra (100kms) is connected with Kolkatta, Delhi etc and other places.
By rail - The nearest railhead is at Madarihat(7kms) and other nearby railheads are Birpara(20 kms) and Hasimara(20kms). Jaldapara is well connected by road from Darjeeling and Siliguri. State buses are also available.
Contact - Divisional Forest Utilisation Officer, 8 Lyons Range, Kolkata 700001. Tel - 033 282 2774