The meaning of Jalpaiguri translates into the town of Olive and the origin of its name can also be traced in history in the 1900s; a time when there used to be several rich olive plantations here.
Jalpaiguri is sprinkled with several small yet beautiful rivers and hilltops wrapped in the lush beauty of nature. Apart from hills and rivers, you also get to witness the endless vistas of tea plantations that come across as one of the major topographical features of this interesting getaway.
Primarily, Jalpaiguri is a rural district with about 80% of its population inhabited in forest villages. So, if you are planning on travelling someplace chill yet quiet then Jalpaiguri comes across as a great choice.
Best Time to Visit Jalpaiguri
The months between October to March is a great time to visit Jalpaiguri. During this time, the weather is very ideal for sightseeing. Especially, your children would love the natural abundance and atmosphere during this time period, as it fills nothing but happiness in your heart.
History of Jalpaiguri
The history of Jalpaiguri can be traced back to the Raikat family, who was responsible for controlling large estates in Baikunthapur which now lies in West Bengal.
It is believed that the Raikat family had descended from the Koch dynasty. This dynasty had good control over the Karnataka Kingdom in 1515. The founder of this dynasty is considered to be a man named Sisya Singha, who was the elder brother of Viswa Singha, the second Maharaja of Koch dynasty.
On the coronation of Viswa Singha, Sisya Singha was given the title of Raikat that also meant family guardian. He along with his descendants were given the land of Baikunthapur in the present Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
Major Attractions in and Around Jalpaiguri
1. Murti River
The river is situated 9km from Jalpaiguri. Here, you get to witness a wide variety of animals such as elephants, deer, and many others. So, if you love wildlife, then this can be an opportunity for you to see them and perhaps if you are lucky enough, might as well take a photograph or two.
2. Buxa National Park
Located in the Alipur division of West Bengal, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations to visit in Jalpaiguri. Some of the animals that can be found here are elephants, gaurs, sambar deer, clouded leopards and many others.
3. Gorumara National Park
It is located in the very foothills of the Terai region and is known for its natural abundance. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 and attracts tourists and travellers from all walks of life.
How to Reach Jalpaiguri
Jalpaiguri can be a fun travel getaway brimming with endless natural vistas. For any travel enthusiast, this is a great place to explore. Jalpaiguri is located at an approximate distance of 1,490, 2,336, 601, 2,535 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Jalpaiguri by the following means of public transportation.
By Air
Jalpaiguri doesn’t have its own airport. If you are travelling by flight, then deboard at Bagdogra Airport (IXB)which is situated 55-60 km away.
It is an international airport situated in the western parts of Siliguri (a city in Kolkata). The airport is functional as a civil enclave at AFS Bagdogra of the Indian Air Force. Bagdogra airport is also considered as the gateway to hill stations like Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Darjeeling. Due to the passenger traffic, it is considered as the 17th busiest airport in India. Many airlines like AirAsia, IndiGo, Vistara operate to and fro with good flight connectivity. From the airport, you will need to book a taxi or avail some other means of public conveyance to reach your destination.
- Delhi - Board Air Asia, IndiGo, Vistara flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Patna - Board IndiGo, Vistara flights from Patna Airport
- Guwahati - Board Spicejet, Air Asia, Vistara, IndiGo from Guwahati Airport
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Jalpaiguri
By Train
Jalpaiguri has its own railway station by the name of New Jalpaiguri Railway Junction (NJP). It was established in 1960 and comes under the A1 category broad gauge and narrow gauge stations.
Considered as the largest as well as the busiest railway stations locally, this railhead has overall good connectivity with other Indian cities. Did you know as per the survey of 2016, it was also ranked as the 10th cleanest railway stations in India?
- From Patna - Board BRAHMPUTRA SPL from Patna Junction and deboard at the New Jalpaiguri Station
- From Guwahati - Board DBRG NDLS AC SPL from Guwahati station and deboard at New Jalpaiguri Station
- From Agra - Board BRAHMPUTRA SPL from Agra Cantt and deboard at New Jalpaiguri Station.
By Road
Jalpaiguri is also well connected via roadways. If residing in nearby regions, it would be a good choice to travel here by road. For travelling to Jalpaiguri, you can choose to book interstate/private buses as per your convenience. You can also book state-run taxis. If these options don’t suit you, then, consider travelling by your own vehicle.
- From Gangtok - 158 km via NH10
- From Darjeeling - 109 km via NH27
- From Kalimpong - 111 km via NH10
Frequently Asked Questions about Jalpaiguri
Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Jalpaiguri?
A. Some of the top tourist attractions in Jalpaiguri include:
- Gorumara National Park
- Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Malbazar
- Baikunthpur Tea Garden
- Teesta River
Q. What is the nearest airport to Jalpaiguri?
A. The nearest airport to Jalpaiguri is Bagdogra Airport, located approximately 60 km from the city center.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here.
