13 Reasons You Should Be Talking About Bagdogra

 13 Reasons You Should Be Talking About Bagdogra 

Beyond its perceived purpose as the launch pad into Sikkim and other Northeast Indian territories, Bagdogra is a traveller's paradise that is waiting to be rediscovered.

Bagdogra 
All too often, we forget that a toddler lurks within us. In Bagdogra, you can unleash just that. Seated by the window in one of the three miniature coaches of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Toy Train, we are gleefully waving out to co-passengers in other compartments who come into sight whenever the train curves . As it weaves its way in and out of forests, we fight the poking branches of tropical trees that threaten to thwack us for being naughty, and giggle at our own silly bravado. When it intermittently snores in the form of a mellow whistle whilst chugging along sleepily, we, too, erupt in a chorus of imitated whistles. And as it hisses and screeches, meanders and dips, we clap and marvel at the scenic journey.
Be it the ebulliency of a jungle safari and spotting wildlife cross your path, trekking through orchards and plucking fresh oranges off trees or the unadulterated pleasure of the toy train that is a charming vestige of history and heritage, this verdant town takes you back in time.

TURNING GREEN

Heavily forested , North Bengal is home to some of the best national parks in the country, and the closest to Bagdogra is Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Extending from the plains of Jalpaiguri to the hills of Darjeeling , it forms a part of the migratory corridor of Asian elephants. There is also Gorumara National Park, which was adjudged the best of its kind in the country by the Ministry of Environment and Forests 10 years ago. Other wildlife havens include Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara National Park and Latpanchar. Collectively they house rhinos, Bengal tigers, gaur (Indian bison), deer and a variety of tropical birds.
If wildlife does not excite you, perhaps perfectly cultivated tea gardens will. Makaibari Tea Estates in Marybong, the Duncans Tea Garden in Marybong, Runglee Rungliot Tea Estate and the gardens around Tingling are some of the most picturesque; the two most popular estates in the vicinity of the town are the Bagdogra and Bengdubi tea estates. Here, take a guided tour of the process of tea making - plucking, withering, rolling, fermenting and sorting. For the adventurous, Teesta River provides an ideal setting for white water rafting.

COLD WAVE

A short distance from Bagdogra is a handful of hill towns. Mirik, tucked inside coniferous trees, boasts a lake that regularly hosts pony and boat rides. However, venture away from the cliches, and hidden gems will emerge - nurseries dotted with gorgeous orchids, a vibrant Buddhist monastery, criss-crossing trails through fir and pine forests and a chance encounter with wild deer and boar.Kurseong with orchards of cardamom and orange, and Kalimpong, by its Buddhist monasteries, Christian-heritage buildings and a cactus garden which is recognize one among the finest in Asia, are other quaint hill stations.
Located 60 kms away from Bagdogra, Darjeeling has been a top summer escape for decades. Any mention of the Queen of the Hills conjures up images of the mighty Kanchenjunga and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Toy Train. You don't have to trundle all the way to Darjeeling. The train runs from the stations of the twin cities of New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri, barely a few miles from Bagdogra. You can truncate your journey at any station along the way.

BITS AND BITES

Take back tea as a souvenir , which you can pick from stores sprinkled all over the town or retail outlets adjoining the tea gardens. The Airport More market is an inviting cluster of shops that house everything from chiffons to crystal and cosmetics to cutlery. Siliguri's main market too, boasts several shops selling the choicest Bengal cotton and silk saris. Cane furniture, brocade and Buddhist bric-a-brac such as thangkas (Tibetan cloth paintings) are other recommended keepsakes.
Bagdogra is just the place to satiate your food carvings, no matter how electric or demanding. Delicious Bengali food is par for the course, with Bhojohori Manna, a renowned restaurant chain. If you are a tad intrepid, visit one of the unique ' pice hotels ' that dot the city's landscape. These are rustic, no-frills establishments that offer a simple thali in vegetarian and non - vegetarian variants ( the moniker comes from the fact that back in the day, a meal at these eateries costed a mere pice, a fraction of a rupee). There are also dhabas that rustle up regional cuisine comprising sell roti and macher jhol ( fish curry ). Red hot chilli peppers are a necessary accompaniment to food here. Upmarket restaurants, too, are aplenty. Gour Nitai Mistanna Bhandar, shortly from the airport, arguably serves the creamiest mishti doi altogether of Bengal. Foodies must ideally start up - and end - their journey to Bagdogra with a halt at the airport's cafeteria. Run by the Bagdogra Airport Restaurant Workers' Cooperative Society, it evokes the Club feel of the 1970s, and serves chicken cutlets that are worth flying to the town for.
Meanwhile, we are still gushing over the elephant calf in Gorumara National Park, who has decided to be a recalcitrant infant. For a long time, it stands on the periphery of the stream, refusing to step inside, its gaze fixed on its mother, who is being bathed by a mahout. After much cajoling, it wades into the stream. Imitating the mother, it reclines on its side, closes its eyes and surrenders . "Aashoon" the mahout calls out to us. We dive in and begin scrubbing and bathing the baby. Deep inside, we feel like one too.