Jalpaiguri

Understand

Name The name "Jalpaiguri" (JAWL-pigh-GOO-ree) is usually said to be a compound of jolpāi (জলপাই), meaning "olive", and guṛi (গুড়ি), meaning "place". Thus "Jalpaiguri" means the "land of olive trees". Some also claim that the name is associated with the presiding deity Jalpesh (জল্পেশ Jolpesh), an epithet of Shiva. Indeed, there's a Jalpesh Temple at Maynaguri. Another theory says that "Jalpaiguri" is from Tibetan je-le-pe-gu-ri, which potentially indicates the trade of warm clothes and blankets with other essential items.

History Jalpaiguri has historical links going back to the deep past, but it really grew as an administrative centre during British rule. Earlier, Jalpaiguri had a direct broad-gauge rail link with Kolkata via eastern Bengal. With the partition of India, railway links were realigned and Jalpaiguri lost some of its strategic importance to Siliguri. However, Jalpaiguri Road NFR was later built to compensate for the loss of Jalpaiguri's original rail link. The city is also re-inventing itself as an agricultural and business centre, as well as a twin of Siliguri.

Getting there

By plane Bagdogra Airport (IXB IATA) is about 48 km from Jalpaiguri town.

By train 1 Jalpaiguri NFR (code: JPG). The original station that served the city from different parts of Bengal till the Partition. Since then, it has become just another station on the New Jalpaiguri-Haldibari line, served by the Darjeeling Mail and a couple of passenger trains from New Jalpaiguri (NJP). (updated Sep 2025) 2 Jalpaiguri Road NFR (code: JPE). The newer station on the New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar line, being served by multiple express trains, including two Vande Bharat trains. (updated Sep 2025)

By bus Netaji Subhash Central Bus Terminus has bus service to all places within West Bengal. 3 NBSTC Terminus. Kadamtala Bus Terminus- There are private and government buses operating super (1-stop) and non-stop buses to Siliguri and Kolkata. Bowbazaar Bus Stop- Buses to Haldibari are available from here.

By car The main town of Jalpaiguri is just beside National Highway 31D, which connects Assam and the entire North East to the rest of India. Jalpaiguri is about 42 kilometers from Siliguri. A state highway begins at Jalpaiguri, connecting to Haldibari, near the border of Bangladesh.

Getting around

You can travel by cycle-rickshaw or totos or autos or city buses, which you can get everywhere, or you can hire a taxi from taxi stands.

See

1 Jalpaiguri Rajbari (Raikat Rajbari, Baikunthapur Rajbari), Raikatpara (3 km (1.9 mi) N of Jalpaiguri NFR ). Palace of the Raikat family of the Baiknthapur Estate. Although the original palace was built in 1770, the modern palace was built in the early 20th century by Raja Jayantadev Raikat. This palace is particularly famous for its portico at the entrance. The garden consists of various species of trees, shrubs and flowers. (updated Jul 2026) 2 Karala riverside, Samajpara. Karala, a small river, flows through the middle of the town, bisecting it into two halves. Panchmukhi Balaji temple, Maskalaibari. 3 Jogmaya Kalibari, Temple Street. 4 Sarojendra Deb Raikat Kala Kendra (Art Centre), Hakimpara.

Do

1 Jubilee Park (Along the spurs of the Teesta River), DM Office Rd. Jubilee Park is situated on the bank of River Teesta. There is a garden with different flowering plants. There is a wooden statue of an elephant. The park also offers beautiful views during sunrise and sunset. 2 Teesta Udyan (Children's Park), Collectorate Avenue. ₹20. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Town Club Ground, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Opposite Art Gallery. Watch football matches and other sporting events. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

Eco City, Jalpiguri Siliguri Rd, ☏ +91 8967031657. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Resort is covered with a tea garden. All rooms have AC, 24-hr room service, doctor on call, laundry, 24-hr light ₹1500. 1 Hotel De l' Pretom, 6-49/139, D.B.C. Rd, Kadamtala, ☏ +91 3561-228-317, +91 3561 225-945. Hotel Ratnadeep, Club Rd/Main Rd (Opposite State Bank of India), ☏ +91 3561 222501-2. 2 Prantik Lodge, Kather Bridge, Jalpaiguri Rd, ☏ +91 3561 256489. 3 Teesta Sundori Tourism Property (Teesta Paryatak Abas). Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹1,500 per room. (updated Jan 2025)