Raiganj
Raiganj (রায়গঞ্জ Rāygonj) is a town in northern West Bengal, famous for the bird sanctuary along the Kulik River with different species of birds.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]- 1 Raiganj NFR . It is served by an express train from Howrah (Radhikapur Kulik Express), as well as a few local trains from Siliguri.
By bus
[edit]- 2 North Bengal State Transport Corporation Bus Stand & Garage.
Get around
[edit]
See and do
[edit]- 1 Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary (Kulik Bird Sanctuary) (4 km (2.5 mi) north of city centre). Several types of migratory birds arrive here each year from South Asia and coastal regions. They start arriving in June. The migratory species includes open-bill storks, egrets, night herons and cormorants. The resident birds are kites, flycatchers, owls, kingfishers, woodpeckers, drongoes, etc. Ornithologically, Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary is a very important heronry.
- 2 Bahin Rajbari. One of the significant historical buildings of Uttar Dinajpur, on the banks of the Nagar River and near the border of Bihar. Zamindar Ishwar Chandra Chowdhury built the palace out of bricks. It has large rooms and a veranda.
- 3 Mohanta Masjid, Dakshin Goalpara. A Mughal-style mosque built in 1425 and owned by the Mohanta family.
- 4 Pirpukurer Dargah, Ukilpara. A dargah of Syed Burhan, built around 1758. Syed Burhan was a leader of the Fakir-Sannyasin rebellion of the late 18th century. The dargah is named after the pond in front of it, where a fair is held on the occasion of Poylā Boishākh (14-15 April).
- 5 St. Joseph's Cathedral. The cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raiganj and one of the few churches in sub-Himalayan North Bengal. The cathedral features glass and ceiling paintings, prominent pillars on both sides modelled on Greek columns, carved doors and a high altar with a hexagonal dome on top.
- 6 Uttar Dinajpur District Museum (উত্তর দিনাজপুর জেলা সংগ্রহালয় Uttor Dinājpur Jelā Songrohāloy), Karnajora. The museum has a collection of pottery works, terracotta sculptures and Surjapuri (a Bengali/Maithili dialect) manuscripts.
Buy
[edit]Eat and drink
[edit]- Mangalam (Hotel Vinayak), 371 Mahatma Gandhi Road, ☏ +91 9475474072. Pure vegetarian AC restaurant
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Champak Brahma.
- 2 Dinantey Tourism Property (Raiganj Tourist Lodge), ☏ +91 97330 08791, mgrrtl03@gmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹1,400–1,600 per room per night.
- Hotel Mamata's, N.S.Road, Above Raymond's Showroom, ☏ +91 3523 - 214094, +91 - 98045 16673, hotelmamats@gmail.com. ₹400-1,000.
- 3 Hotel Nataraj, NS Road, ☏ +91 3526 252007. With restaurant and bar
- Hotel Puspak, Devi Nagar, ☏ +91 3523-223070, +91 3523 223250, +91 8900520520, +91 9434140926, puspak520@gmail.com. ₹100-1,500.
- 4 Hotel Vinayak, 371 Mahatma Gandhi Road, ☏ +91 3523 242082, +91 9933921321, +91 9800484871. ₹600-2,200.
- 5 Kanishka, Tulshitala.
- 6 Raiganj Youth Hostel, Karnajora, ☏ +91 3523 246 009, ndc.uttardinajpur@gmail.com.