Bagdogra : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Situated around 90 km from Darjeeling, Bagdogra is the picturesque hill town in West Bengal which offers the majestic view of snow-covered Himalayas. Brimming with verdant tea plantations and wonders of nature such as rivers, lakes and mountains, it is a perfect weekend getaway in Northeast India which promises memorable experiences to the travellers. This less explored destination offers undulating delight as you stroll along the serene terrains. A tranquil town with laid back vibes, picture perfect ambiance, great air quality and much more that is unsaid makes the visit to Bagdogra worthwhile.

Best Time to Visit Bagdogra

The months between July to February are the best time to visit this hill town. You can enjoy the pleasant weather and also witness the refreshing winter mist in the air.

History & Culture of Bagdogra

In the early 20th century, the tea gardens in the foothills of Darjeeling were flourishing which raised the need of labourers. During this time many tribes from Chotanagpur migrated to the Terai plains and gradually settled down in the surrounding regions including Bagdogra. The culture here is an amalgamation of Catholic and Buddhist beliefs. While there is also a large population of Hindus living in Bagdogra, travellers get to witness the kaleidoscopic view of diversity in culture, traditions, festivals and cuisines. Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Kenduli Mela and Gangasagar Mela are celebrated with great enthusiasm, however, the distinct Buddhist influence can be seen through festivals like Naba Barsho which is the popular Tibetan New Year. Bengali is widely spoken in Bagdogra followed by English and there are the locals who also speak Bihari, Hindi, Nepali, Assamese and Tibetan.

Tourist Destinations in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is a quaint hamlet studded with many tourist attractions. Here is the list of top 7 tourist destinations in Bagdogra that you can visit on your trip to this part of the country. Check out!

1. The Himalaya World Museum.

Initiated by Professor Omprakash Bharti who is an eminent ethnomusicologist and dramaturge, the Himalayan World Museum displays a collection of about 500 artefacts from different Himalayan regions of India such as Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh etc. and neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Nepal. Maintained and administered by Himalayan Heritage Research & Development Society, the museum aims to preserve the cultural heritage of these regions.

2. Dreamland Amusement Park

Situated in Fulbari, Dreamland Amusement Park is about 13km away from Bagdogra. Nestled in the pristine location, the park offers beautiful ambiance along with enjoyable rides. You can enjoy the playing zone and scenic vistas on your visit to this amusement park.

3. Jorpokhri Wildlife Sanctuary.

In close proximity with Bagdogra, Jorpokhri Wildlife Sanctuary is about 40 minutes away from this place in West Bengal. Situated on the way to Sandakphu, it is home to some high-altitude animals like Himalayan Salamander locally known as Gora and other local animals such as rhinos, tigers and exotic species of birds

4. Sevokeswari Kali Temple.

Sevokeshwari Kali Mandir is a famous ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Kali in Siliguri which is about 34km away from Bagdogra. Also known as Sevoke Kali Mandir, the temple is located on the way to Kalimpong is a sacred shrine that offers the magnificent view of Mt Kanchenjunga. The temple is visited by many devotees during Navratri and Durga Puja.

5. Salugara Monastery.

Located about 18km away from Bagdogra, Salugara Monastery is famous for the 110 feet tall Stupa which was founded by the Tibetan Lama, Kalu Rinpoche. Various relics and idols present in the monastery are other attractions that attract many travellers to this Buddhist temple near Bagdogra. According to legends, the monastery is guarded by the surrounding hills and also adds more charm to the serene vibes

6. Surya Sen Park or Madhuban Park.

About 30 minutes distant from Bagdogra, Surya Sen Park is another amazing place that attracts tourists. Beautiful beds of flowers, sparkling fountains, children’s park, manicured lawns, well maintained pathways make this park a perfect picnic spot for families and tourists alike. Apart from this, travellers get to witness the beauty of river Mahanadi that flows through the park and they can also indulge in paddle boating. With several spots for photography, the park is famous amongst locals for pre-wedding shoots.

7. Umrao Singh Boat Club.

Located right in the heart of verdant plantations, Umrao Singh Boat Club is where you can spend a day amidst the serenity of the lake and enjoy activities like boating, fishing etc. The boat club is about 30 minutes away from Bagdogra and is maintained by The Indian Army. The club is famous as it offers some adventure activities especially for kids. You can enjoy a day boating and basking in the lap of nature.

How to Reach Bagdogra

Located in close proximity to the famous cities of West Bengal such as Darjeeling, Siliguri and Sikkim, Bagdogra is easily accessible from different modes of transport.

Nearest Airport. Bagdogra Airport
Nearest Railway Station. Siliguri
Nearest Metropolitan city. Kolkata
Nearest City. Siliguri
Distance from Siliguri. 14km

By Air

Bagdogra has its own Airport that has domestic as well as international flights. All major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata are directly connected via air to Bagdogra.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Bagdogra

By Rail

Siliguri station is the nearest railhead to Bagdogra which is connected to all major cities. There are frequent trains available from major cities to Jalpaiguri railway station. Tourists can take a bus or taxi to reach Bagdogra.

By Road

Bagdogra is well connected to all the major cities via national highway. Frequent bus services ply to and fro from all major cities of the North-East India and West Bengal.