Dooars

Dooars General Information

The history of the Dooars is very old. According to current historical research carried out by Sailen Debnath, an eminent scholar of the region, the Dooars was the seat of the medieval Kamata kingdom. Kamatapur emerged as a sovereign state from the middle of the seventh century. Most probably, Nalrajar Garh in Chilapata Forest was the earliest capital of Kamatapur, and subsequently through various ups and downs the capital was shifted to Mainaguri and then to Prithu Rajar Garh before its final shifting to Gosanimari, an ancient port-town since the seventh century.

After the kingdom of Kamatapur as was devastated by Alauddin Husain Shah of Gaur in 1498, there emerged the Koch kingdom again in the Dooars under the leadership of Vishwa Singha. Hingulavas near Mahakalguri in the Dooars was the earliest capital of the Koch kingdom. It was long after that the Koch capital was shifted to Atharakota and then ultimately to present Cooch Behar town.

Taking advantage of the weakness of the Koch kingdom in subsequent times, Bhutan took possession of the Dooars. This region was controlled by the kingdom of Bhutan when the British annexed it in 1865 after the Bhutan War under the command of Captain Hedayat Ali. The area was divided into two parts: the eastern part was merged with Goalpara district in Assam and the western part was turned into a new district named Western Dooars. Again in the year 1869, the name was changed to Jalpaiguri District. After the end of the British rule in India in 1947, the Dooars acceded into the dominion of India and it merged with the Union of India shortly afterwards in 1949.

Climate :

The average rainfall of the area is about 3,500 mm.

Monsoon generally starts from the middle of May and continues till the end of September.

Winters are cold with foggy mornings and nights.

Summer is mild and constitutes a very short period of the year.

Dooars places of interest.

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park

These are habitats of the rare one-horned Rhinoceros, the mighty Bison, Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hog Deer, reptiles, huge wild Tuskers, Wild Boars and the rarest variety of animals and birds including plenty of Peacocks. Elephant safaris through the Jaldapara forest in search of wild animals, is a memorable experience. Numerous watch towers here allow you to take a real close look at wildlife. Moreover the scintillating light and sound show at Jaldapara guest house adds a wild thrill to your trip.

Buxa Tiger Reserve

Buxa National Park, in the subdivision of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district, was set up in the year of 1982-83 at the north eastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. With an area of 759 sq km this picturesque reserve with its prodigious Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries, presents a breathtaking landscape. Buxa is rich with bio-diversity and has a great collection of rare orchids and medicinal plants. Because of inaccessible terrain some parts of Buxa hills in the Sinchula range are still unexplored. The veritable flora and fauna of these wet forests attracts tourists and nature lovers every year.

Rasikbil Bird Sanctuary

This place simply belongs to the winged beauties, the birds. The constant activity of these colourful creatures and the signature tunes of them make this waterbody a paradise for bird watchers. Boating in Rasikbil under the blue sky with birds flying everywhere or graciously swimming nearby is something beyond imagination. The bird variety includes cormorants, different varieties of storks, ibis, spoonbill, kingfisher, parrots and many others. There is also a large aquarium, a deer park and a crocodile rehabilitation centre at Rasikbil.

Raas Mela (November – December)

Raas Mela is the most ancient and traditional of all fairs. The celebrations commence from the auspicious day of Purnima in the month of Kartik according to the Bengali calendar. This traditional fair goes on for 15 days

Dooars Tour Packages

Monsoon Package: 4 Nights / 5 Days

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Day 5