Cooch Behar is a modest planned town in North West Bengal that was originally the Koch dynasty's province. Coch Behar is a fantastic weekend getaway spot for eco-tourists and those interested in history and archaeology.
Cooch Behar is a district of West Bengal's Jalpaiguri division, located in the state's north east corner, bordered to the south and west by Jalpaiguri, Assam, and the Indo-Bangla border. Cooch Behar is a close-knit tiny town with joyful residents who are proud of their city's cultural diversity and past.
Cooch Behar was a princely state controlled by the Kings of Cooch Behar, who had previously served as a feudatory ruler under British administration. The king of Cooch Behar transferred full and wide authority, jurisdiction, and power of the realm to the Dominion Government of India in an agreement dated August 20, 1949. On September 12, 1949, the state's administration was transferred to the Indian government. On the 19th of January, 1950, Cooch Behar was transferred and integrated with the province of West Bengal, and Cooch Behar became a new District on West Bengal's administrative map. The district of Cooch Behar, on the other hand, was established with the same size and boundaries as the ancient state of Cooch Behar.
The palace of Koch ruler Maharaja Nripendra Narayan is the primary attraction in Cooch Behar. The Maharaja erected this magnificent palace in 1887, modelled by the traditional European architecture of the Italian Renaissance. Cooch Behar is also known for its enormous quantities of water.
Book NowThe Cooch Behar Palace, also known as the Rajbari, is located in the city of Cooch Behar in the East Indian state of West Bengal. It was built in 1887 under Maharaja Nripendra Narayan's reign, and the architecture was influenced by London's Buckingham Palace. The main entrance is designed to look like St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and the apartments are decorated with exquisite paintings on the walls and ceilings.
Madan Mohan temple, built by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan between 1885 and 1887, is magnificently crafted and has a large following. Madan Mohan, Tara Ma, Kali Ma, and Ma Bhawani are among the deities worshipped at the temple. The temple holds a Rash mela and a Rash Yatra on the occasion of Rash Purnima, one of North Bengal's most popular festivals.
Throughout the year, a variety of local species can be found in and around the Rasikbil, as well as some migrant birds in the winter. It's a destination for eco-tourists. The avifauna in and around Rasikbil is the area's main draw. A vast aquarium, a deer park, a crocodile rehabilitation centre, a tortoise rescue centre, and many other attractions are available. Rasikbil is a great place to go boating.
It is 10 kilometres from the city centre, houses a Shivalinga that is 10 feet below the plinth level. A statue of Arthanarishwar can also be found at the temple. The deity is brought to the Madan Mohan Temple in a renowned procession on Madan Chaturdashi and Dol Purnima. A large pond on the property holds a significant number of tortoises that are very elderly in age and form.
Maharaja Hitendra Narayan excavated Sagardighi, a massive tank in the centre of the city. The tank is surrounded by vintage hotels, Victor House, and a War Memorial. Taking a stroll down the gallery is a popular tourist attraction. It's a popular tourist attraction, and it's a great spot to go if you're looking for a peaceful and quiet place to be at peace with yourself.
Near Cooch Behar, Gosanimari Rajpat has been a significant excavation site. Archaeologists have been working at the site for years and have discovered considerable evidence that supports the presence of ancient Buddhist civilizations. Various stone engravings have been discovered, as well as planned complex infrastructure such as water delivery networks and wells.
Madhupur Dham is a religious institution linked with the Ekasarana branch of Vaishnavism, located in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India. It was founded in the 16th century by Assamese Vaishnavite monks for religious purposes during the Koch dynasty. Madhupur satra is also called as dahmukutor than ; 'dahmukut' means 'bhiti' or living houses of ten disciples (bhaktas) of Srimanta Sankardeva.
The terracotta panels attached to the pancharatna Siddhanath Shiva temple at Dhaliabari make it unique. It is likely the only terracotta-paneled temple in the Cooch Behar district, and one of the few in the northern region of West Bengal. The curved roof has four towers at each corner, but the bigger central tower is missing. The temple stands 9.1 metres (30 feet) tall with a 6.4-meter square foundation (21 ft).
The Debi Bari Durga Puja is held in the Cooch Behar district. This puja dates back over 500 years. Puja here begins well before a month and a half, and it continues to follow the same practises as those who initiated the Puja. After Mahalaya, the major puja begins. Originally, this puja was observed by planting a twig of Mayna tree in Madan Mohan Bari's domain, but Raja Naranarayan promoted the creation of an idol of 'Baro Devi Maa.'
Chilapata, in the Dooars, is a deep forest that provides a true taste of natural life in the wild. The woodland, once known for its fear of robbers, has evolved into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Dooars. The wildlife treasures of Chilapata forest are depicted in their natural colours. The wildlife of Chilapata forest is enriched by reptiles such as the python, krait, cobra, water monitor, and freshwater turtles, making it one of the most valuable assets in the Dooars.
The nearest airport is at Rupsi, Assam, which is 72.8 kilometres away. This location is 140 kilometres from Siliguri. The palace of Koch ruler Maharaja Nripendra Narayan, commonly known as Rajbari, is the primary attraction of Cooch Behar. When visiting Cooch Behar, the first thing you should do is take a tour of the magnificent Rajbari or Cooch Behar Palace. Then you can go to Baneshwar Shiva Temple and Madan Mohan Temple, which are two of Cooch Behar's most prominent temples. Cooch Behar is also known for its enormous quantities of water. Walking along the banks of the Sagardighi River and seeing the lovely birds in action is a fun way to pass the time during your visit. They are treated to some excellent meals and mouth-watering delicacies no matter where they go in West Bengal. Like everywhere else in the state, you'll be treated to some delectable sweets like roshogolla, cham cham, mishit doi, sandesh, and so on.