Bagdogra is a scenic town located in Darjeeling in West Bengal, with a total area spanning 10 sq. km and a population of 1.5 lakh. Situated in the lap of Himalayas, the entire district is surrounded by beautiful lush tea gardens. The grand Himalayas can be viewed from any part of Bagdogra, a part of Siliguri Metropolitan area. This is a great resting spot for travellers whose final destination is either Kalimpong or Darjeeling. Bagdogra is well-connected to metro cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
Things to do in Bagdogra
Bagdogra is one of the underrated picturesque getaway towns in Darjeeling. Travellers can join a guided group tour and spend the day visiting tea gardens, temples and monasteries. Or, they could indulge in the sports of white river rafting in the Teesta River.
Tourist attractions in Bagdogra
Some of the top places to see in Bagdogra are the Salugara Monastery, ISKCON Temple, Sevoke Kali Mandir, Kalchakra Monastery and Mahananda Wildlife.
Places to shop in Bagdogra
There are various big malls in Bagdogra as well as street shops to satiate the appetite of all types of shoppers. The top places for shoppers in the tourist town of Bagdogra are the City Centre Mall, Gari Dhura Bazar, Pankhabari Bazar, Sevoke Bazar, Kalijhora Bazar and Mirik Bazar Shopping Centre.
Best time to visit Bagdogra
If you visit Bagdogra during festival time, you can immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of the town. Gangasagar Mela is celebrated here with pomp every year in the month of January during the festival of Makar Sankranti.
Modes of transport
There are various modes of transport from Siliguri to Bagdogra. They are the local bus network, cabs, rental cars, metro trains and the local train service. There are also packages for trekking and hiking to traverse the hills in and around Bagdogra.
Weather in Bagdogra
The monsoon season (July to October) in Bagdogra remains pleasant for tourism. Summer begins in March and continues till the end of May. Being a hill station, summer sees the peak of visitors to Bagdogra.
Airport in Bagdogra
Bagdogra Airport (IATA: IXB), also a civil aerodrome, is situated at about 16 km from Siliguri. This was originally used for Indian Air Force operations but now hosts domestic and international carriers.