Panitanki

Understand

Siliguri (Bengali: শিলিগুড়ি SHEE-lee-GOO-ree) has a population of 728,000 (2024 estimate) (around 1,000,000 in the metropolitan area), making it the third-largest city in West Bengal. With massive developments since the turn of the 21st century, the city has grown from a small regional town into one of the most important business centres in Eastern India. Sprawling and boisterous, it is a city whose periphery is dominated by modern condominiums, while the downtown is characterised by sprawling street markets, up-scale shops, and large shopping malls. Due to its position as a commercial hub and centre of learning, the city enjoys a sophistication and range of shopping usually only associated with metro cities. Furthermore, as it has attracted a large number of young Nepalese, Sikkimese, Tibetans, and Bhutanese, it has developed into one of India's most liberal and cosmopolitan cities that is known for its vibrant music scene and strong youth culture. Siliguri is the only city in West Bengal other than Kolkata to have an international airport and, perhaps due to the high concentration of colleges, institutes and private schools, the city has the highest literacy rates in the state. Traditionally, Siliguri has been known for the four 'T's — tourism, timber, tea and transport — and is the gateway to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and North-Eastern India.

Climate

Siliguri has a warm summer, cool winters and a severe monsoon. In summer, the temperature varies from a minimum of 18-22 °C to a maximum of 26-32 °C. The temperature in summer sometimes exceeds 35 °C. On the other hand, the winter maximum temperature hovers around 20-24 °C, and the minimum drops 6-9 °C. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.1 °C. The minimum temperature in winter season sometimes drops 5 °C or below. On an average, Siliguri gets 3340 mm per year. Winters are mostly dry, with the summers being rainy. About 80% of the annual rainfall is felt between June to September, th

Getting there

By plane 1 Bagdogra International Airport (IXB IATA), Bagdogra (14 km (8.7 mi) from the city centre), ☏ +91 353 269 8431. The airport has links with most major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati. In addition, a number of airlines operate connecting flights from Bangkok, while Druk Air offers twice in a week direct flights to the Thai capital, which begin and terminate in Paro with a stop here. Taxis are available from the airport to Siliguri (approx ₹500), as well as to Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Phuentsholing. (updated Nov 2022)

By train

New Jalpaiguri Junction 2 New Jalpaiguri Junction NFR DHR (station code: NJP) (about 20- to 30-minute ride from the city centre). The busiest railway station in North Bengal with connections to almost all parts of India. (updated Sep 2025) NJP is served by four Rajdhani Express trains, two Vistadome Express trains, two Humsafar Express trains, four AC Superfast Express trains, a Shatabdi Express train, and a Vande Bharat Express train. There is also a train from Bangladesh, called Mitali Express. NJP also connects the mainstream broad-gauge line with the heritage narrow-gauge line. NJP has two double-bedded air-conditioned (AC) retiring rooms, six double-bedded non-AC retiring rooms, one three-bedded dormitory and one twelve-bedded dormitory. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available at this station. It has IRCTC and other private restaurants. There is also a decommissioned train coach that acts as a restaurant, and tea rooms that serve locally grown tea. The tourist office and pre-paid taxi booth are directly opposite the station main entrance. Transport options to city centre:

By bus: North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) operates bus services from NJP to Siliguri city centre. There are private bus options as well. By taxi: Ride-hailing services, such as Uber, Rapido and Ola, provide rides from NJP to various parts of the city. Apart from these, numerous private taxi operators p

Getting around

Moving in and around Siliguri is cheap. There are electric rickshaws (locally known as totos), shared vans, an efficient public bus service, and rental cars. App-based car services are also available on Yatri Saathi, Rapido (also bikes) and Uber. Shared e-rickshaws and vans run on established routes: Standard fare: ₹20 per person (₹10 for short routes, ₹30 for long ones) - as of 2025. The core areas can be covered on foot and is very safe, even after dark.

See

Monasteries 1 Buddha Mundir Monastery, Buddha Mundir Road, Salbari (Salibari). A monastery established by the Nyingma yogi, Chatral Sangye Dorji Rinpoche 2 Ewam (Nupchen Namchak) Monastery (Toribari Gompa), Junglee Mohal, Toribari Village, Bhaktinagar (behind Bengal Safari P.O P.S), ☏ +91 353 259 0264. A large Buddhist monastery in the Nyingma tradition. (updated Jul 2026) Kali Mandir, Sevoke. (On Siliguri-Darjeeling Road, above Coronation Bridge). Temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Shrine atop a steep flight of stairs. Views over Coronation Bridge and Teesta River. 3 Khordong Byangter Monastery, Dhansara (on road to Darjeeling, near NJP Station), ☏ +91 99330 62222, +91 98320 49416. A monastery is in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Accommodation available at the compound. 4 Iskcon Temple, Iskcon Road, Ward 41, Haidar Par, ☏ +91 92316 84759. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as Hare Krishna Movement, manages the ISCKON temple. It houses many beautiful idols of Advaita Acharya, Lord Narasimha, Lord Chaitanya and many more. 5 Sed-Gyued Institute of Buddhist Studies (Salugara Gompa (Monastery)), Salugara. 15 - 20 minutes from the downtown. Inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1999, and belongs to the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The compound includes a 100-foot Tashi Gomang Stupa. (updated Mar 2017) 6 Triratna Monastery, Salbari. 15 - 20 minutes' drive from downtown. A monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism (updated Mar 2018)

Parks Bengal Safari Park (North Bengal Wild Animal Park), 5 Mile, Salugara, ☏ +91-7047312620, [email protected]. Tigers, leopards, elephants, and herbivorous. Elephant rides. Forest park setting. ₹200 (half hour), ₹400 (one hour). 7 Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, ☏ +91 83370 66882, [email protected]. Daily 6AM–4:30PM (Tuesday closed). Forested reserve area with a wildlife park, birdwatching towers and an elephant migration area. (updated No

Do

There are many places in Siliguri to visit and spend some quality time. You can tour the city yourself by renting a bike or a car. There are many places to watch movies. You can also visit tea estates for a tour where you can see the serene and spacious tea farms in and around the city. There are many exhibitions and sport events around the city.

1 Dreamland Amusement Park, Ghoshpukur Canal Road, Fulbari, ☏ +91 97328 51000, [email protected]. 10AM-7PM. An amusement and theme park. 2 Savin Kingdom, Darjeeling More, ☏ +91 35