-
- About Us
- Policy / Act
- Department
- Gallery
- Events
- Publication
- Destinations
- Explore
- Tourist Corner
- e-Services
- e-BOOKING
- WBTDCL
Once a princely State, Cooch Behar is known for its fine climate, natural freshness, and beauty. During the 11th and 12th Century AD, the Pala-Senas ruled Cooch Behar. The sculptures and coins of the Sultanate and the Mughal Periods, and the temples and mosques of the medieval and late medieval periods reveal that the ancient kingdom of Kamrup played a role in the development of the present Cooch Behar. The main attraction in Cooch Behar is the palace of the Koch king Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. Designed to resemble the classical European style of the Italian Renaissance, this magnificent palace was built by the Maharaja in 1887. Cooch Behar is also famous for large water bodies. Among them the Rasik Bill is famous for a huge population of migratory birds that assemble here every year. The Forest Department has built accommodation at this site to meet the demands of a growing number of tourists interested in ornithology.
Cooch Behar
3,387 Sq Kms
2,82,2780 (Ref: Census 2011)
September to March
5348.8 mm
Bengali (Prime), Hindi & English (Alternative), Rajbangshi (Local)
Raas Mela and Ratha Yatra at Cooch Behar Town,
Siv Ratri Mela at Baneswar
Cooch Behar Royal Palace,
Madan Mohan temple,
RasikBil,
Sagar Dighi
Royal Heritage
Rasik Bil
746 KM
Cooch Behar Palace
The main attraction of Cooch Behar is the palace of the Koch king Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. Designed to resemble the classical European style of Italian Renaissance, this magnificent palace was built by the Maharaja in 1887. Raised on a basement of 1.5 mts. in height, this double storied brick building covers an area of 4768 sq. mts. It extends 120 mts. from north to south and 90 mts. from east to west. The frontal facade consists of a series of arches resting by an alternate arrangement of narrow and broad piers to contain single and double Corinthian pilasters respectively. A porch is projected in the centre to provide main entrance to the building through the Durbar Hall. Recalling the memory of St. Peter's Church at Rome, the Durbar Hall is dodecagonal in shape, resting on four arches supported by massive Corinthian pilasters and projecting a lantern at the top. The intrados of the dome is relieved in stepped patterns and flanked by a small elegant balcony with twelve window openings at the base. In the center of the Durbar Hall, the marble floor contains the royal insignia in pietra dura. The building contains more than fifty rooms/halls of varied dimensions which include bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard room, kitchen, dinning hall, dancing hall, library, Toshakhana and the ladies gallery. Certain rooms deserve special attention for their beautiful paintings in the ceiling as well as in the interior wall surface.
By Air: Cooch Behar air terminal, around 3 km east of the downtown area, is associated with Kolkata and Guwahati. Bagdogra air terminal, around 154 km northwest of the city, is better joined with significant urban communities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, and so on. Taxis are accessible from both the airplane terminals to achieve the downtown area.
By Train: New Cooch Behar rail line station, around 6 km north east of the downtown area, lies on the Barauni-Guwahati line. It unites urban areas like Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Amritsar, Dibrugarh, Puri, Gaya, and so forth. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are accessible from the rail line station to achieve the downtown area.
By Road: Private and state run transports join the city to most significant urban communities in West Bengal, Assam and Bihar. Focal Bus Terminus, the principle transport stand, is close Rajbari Palace.
Rasik Beel
Rasik Beel is a huge lake located in the town of Tufanganj in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. It is a very popular bird watching spot and famous for local and migratory birds. Rasik Beel boasts of wild flora and fauna and is surrounded by three dark and dense forests-Nagurhaat, Atasmochar and Bochamari. The Lake located in the middle of the forest is a beauty spot in the body of Rasikbill. The lake features sweet water fishes in abundance. The Kutiputti and the Borali that are two popular varieties of fish in North Bengal are found in this lake. Large Aquarium, Crocodile Rehabilitation and Deer Park are attractions in the heart of Rasik Beel. The Deer Park with above fifty Deer is a suitable place to roam or relax. In the park with movement of Deer and the fluttering of bird on the bank of the lake is a nice spot to make much of leisure. There are also a Python house, a Leopard house and a Tortoise house to visit. Apart from all these Rasikbill is famous for bird watching activities. Numerous local and migratory birds make their nests here during different times of the year.
National Highway No.31 between Siliguri and Guwahati passes over Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. North Bengal State Transport Corporation Buses, Bhutan Govt. Buses, Mini Buses, Private Buses and Taxi are available from Siliguri to Cooch Behar or Alipurduar.
Sagardighi
There are 22 tanks all over town - the most spectacular among these is Sagar Dighi, with grand structures arrayed all around it. The buildings, built mostly between the 1880's and 1920's, are now offices of the district administration. A popular hangout in the evenings, the tank attracts migratory birds in winter.
Madan Mohan Bari
This is the most important temple situated in the heart of the Cooch Behar town. Maharaja Nripendra Narayan constructed Madan Mohan temple during 1885 to 1889. The deities in the temple include Lord Madan Mohan, Ma Kali, Ma Tara and Ma Bhavani. On the occasion of Raas Puja the traditional Raas Jatra Festival along with Rass Mela is held in Cooch Behar, which is among the biggest festivals of North Bengal.
Cooch Behar airport, about 3 kms east of the city centre, is connected to Kolkata and Guwahati. Bagdogra airport, about 154 kms northwest of the city, is better connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh. Taxis are available from both the airports to reach the city centre. New Cooch Behar railway station, about 6 kms north east of the city centre, lies on the Barauni-Guwahati line. It connects cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Amritsar, Dibrugarh, Puri, Gaya etc. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available from the railway station to reach the city centre. Private and state run buses connect the city to most major cities in West Bengal, Assam and Bihar. Central Bus Terminus, the main bus stand is near Rajbari Palace.
Baneswar Siva temple
Located 10 km towards the north of the town of Cooch Behar, the temple of Baneswar Siva has a ‘Shivalinga’ that is 10 ft below the platform level. The temple also has ‘Gouripat’ and another temple by its side with the idol of 'Ardhanariswar'. During the festivals of Dol Purnima and Madan Chaturdashi, the idol of 'Ardhanariswar' is carried to the Madan Mohan Temple in the town for some time. The temple complex also has a pond with many tortoises with some of them being very big and old. A big fair is held here during the occasion of Siva Chaturdashi.
By Air: Cooch Behar airplane terminal, around 3 km east of the downtown area, is associated with Kolkata and Guwahati. Bagdogra airplane terminal, around 154 km northwest of the city, is better joined with real urban communities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, and so on. Taxis are accessible from both the airplane terminals to achieve the downtown area.
By Road: Private and state run transports interface the city to most real urban communities in West Bengal, Assam and Bihar.
Madhupur Dham Temple
The Madhupur Dham was built in the 16th century in honour of Shankaradeva when he made his last journey to Cooch Behar in 1489 on the request of Maharaja Nar Narayan to preach the sermons of neo-Vaishnava cult. This temple is highly significant for the followers of Acharya Shankaradeva.
Madhupur Dham is well-connected via road network to all foremost places in the state, West Bengal or from neighboring state. Many state Goverment run buses and many privately operated buses ply between Kolkata and Malda. Madhupur Dham is easily accessible by using state bus service. The closest junction is New Cooch Behar Railway Station.
Kamteswari Temple
Kamteswari temple is situated at a distance of about 8 km west of Dinhata railway station. The original temple was destroyed. The present temple has been established by Maharaja Pran Narayan in 1665.
Gosanimari Rajpat
Gosanimari Rajpat is a pride of Cooch Behar. This has an important historical and archaeological place in the history of Cooch Behar. The Kingdom of Kamata was ruled between the 11-12th Century A.D. by the dynasties of Pala and Sena, then by the Khen dynasty in the 14th century A.D. until 1498 A.D. Then the King Nilambara was defeated by Sultan Hussein Shah of Gaud, who had ruled the Koch dynasty from early on in the 16th Century.
By Air: Bagdogra Airport, located near Siliguri, is the nearest airport from Cooch Behar.
By Train: The nearest railway head is New Cooch Behar. There are regular train services to the station, as it is one of the important rail routes connecting Northeast India. Major express and super-fast trains stop at the station.
By Road: There is a regular bus service that connects Cooch Behar to the neighbouring cities. Apart from Government bus service, there are private buses as well, running throughout West Bengal and adjoining states, to and from Cooch Behar.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:
Bagdogra Airport, located near Siliguri, is the nearest airdrome from Cooch Behar, at a distance of about 160 kms.
By Train:
Railway is the best option for commuting to and from Cooch Behar. The nearest railway head is New Cooch Behar, sited 5 kms away from the main town. There are regular train services to the station, as it is one of the important rail routes connecting Northeast India.
By Road:
Headquarters of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), Cooch Behar is extremely well connected by road. There is a regular bus service that connects Cooch Behar to the neighbouring cities. Apart from government bus service, there are private buses as well, running throughout West Bengal and adjoining states, to and from Cooch Behar.
New Secretariat Building
1, K. S. Roy Road, 3rd Floor,
Kolkata - 700001,
E-Mail : wbtourismpublicity1@gmail.com
Regional Tourist Office
Tourism Centre: 033-2243 6440
Tol Free No: 1800 2121 655
90733 86803, 90733 86804, 90733 27315
Best viewed in Internet Explorer 9.0 or later/ Firefox / Google Chrome
||
Page rendered in 0.0353 seconds.
© 2018 - 2022, Dept. of Tourism, West Bengal
||
Legal Disclaimer
||
Privacy Policy
