Excursions

Samsing is a small village in the area of Dooars, which is located in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district in West Bengal. Situated at an elevation of around 3000 ft above sea level, Samsing is famous for its landscape, green tea gardens, hills and forests. Samsing is also a gateway to the famous Neora Valley National Park, which is 18 km from here.

The journey towards Samsing from the nearby region of Jalpaiguri takes around three hours by road that passes through the Tea Garden regions of Dooars and the Sevoke Bridge. Siliguri is also a nearby region of Samsing and is about 81 km via the route of Chalsa. Rivers and mountains are an essential part of the landscape of Samsing.

Debanandapur village is the birthplace of Katha Silpi Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, who was born on 15th September 1876. This village is one of the seven important villages, which formed the Sapta Gram during the Mughal era.

Jaydev Kenduli is a village located in the Ilambazar Community Development block in Bolpur around 22 km from Durgapur. For a long period, this place has been considered the birthplace of the famous poet Jayadeva, the composer of Gita Govinda. The place has been developed as a religious centre with many ashramas and temples.

Bangarh is located at a distance of about 45 km from Balurghat. The place has historical significance, as numerous excavations have unearthed several archaeological ruins and icons.

Pedong village is located at a distance of 15.3 km from Rishyap village. The site lies on silk route that forms a bridge through Jelep La Pass to enter Tibet from India. Short treks and a visit to Damsang Fort which was constructed in 1690 can be enjoyed. The fort had witnessed the war between Lepchas and Bhutias. Thus, at present the fort is in ruins.

Cross Hill is situated in proximity from Pedong and is frequently visited by the Christian community. Father Augustine Desgodins placed the cross at this site in 1882, while he was travelling to Tibet. Tin Chuley View Point is another spot where one can view the Nathula Pass and Jelep La Pass.

Gadiara sits at the point of convergence of the Damodar, the Rupnarayan and the Hooghly Rivers. The village is home to an 18th century fort built by the British to guard the entrance of the river against river pirates. By ferries available till 5 or 5:30 in the evening, tourists can travel to this site.

Joynagar is a small township that is located nearby Raichak. The destination is famous for its collection of manuscripts, terracotta figurines and black stone images of Buddha, Mahavir and Vishnu. The collection dates from the 11th and 12th centuries and is known as Kalidas Dutta's collection.

Sopur is a popular apple town situated at 48 km from Srinagar, on the banks of River Jhelum. This town is also the biggest trade centre of North Kashmir.

Parihaspora is an old town situated near the district of Baramula at 26 km from Srinagar. This town was the capital of Kashmir during the Shankervarman Regime. It was found in the 8th century AD by the king of Kashmir, Lalityaditya Muktapid. The most popular feature of this place is the ancient archaeological monuments present at the Parihaspora Pattan and the Pattan Bazaar. Apart from these monuments, the town also houses few remains of a Buddhist Stupa and monastery. A few Vishnu temples, Raj Bhawan, and a Chaitya were also found in an excavation held here in 1914.

Hiranagar town is the administrative headquarters of Hiranagar tehsil of the Kathua District. This town was founded by Raja Hari Singh and was named after him after being honoured with the Jagir of Jasrota by Raja Ranjit Singh.

Raja Hari Singh renovated the Jasmergarh Fort which previously comprised important government offices. These offices were later shifted to Hiranagar town from the fort in 1947.