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Siliguri - City in West Bengal, India

Vega Circle Mall The largest city in North Bengal, Siliguri (Bengali: শিলিগুড়ি Śiliguṛi, Nepali: सिलगड़ी Silgaṛī, Hindi: सिलीगुड़ी Silīguṛī) is a liberal and cosmopolitan city that is known for its vibrant music scene and strong youth culture. Located on the banks of the Mahananda River and the Teesta River at the foothills of the Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri is the third-largest urban agglomeration in West Bengal. It is known as the "Gateway of North-Eastern India" as it connects North-Eastern India with mainland India, making it a major trading and transportation hub. It borders Nepal on one side and Bangladesh on the other.

Understand

Bengali pronunciation

Siliguri (Bengali pronunciation: SHIH-lih-GOO-rih /ʃiliɡuɽi/) has a population of half a million in 2011 (around 700,000 for the urban 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 Durgapur and Kolkata to have a commercial 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, this period is known as monsoons or rainy season in the season cycle. Heavy showers are often felt in May, June, July, August and September. July is the wettest month (804 mm) and January is the driest month (12 mm).

Visitor information

  • Tourism Centre, M-4 Bldg, Hill Cart Rd, 26.72323°, 88.41732°, +91 353 2511974, +91 353 2516306. The staff at the Tourism Centre is very helpful and the centre has a lot of information on North Bengal tourism. You can book a government lodge there before travelling to your favourite destination. 2022-11-26

Talk

As in most of West Bengal, Bengali is the main language in Siliguri. However, the Bengali language spoken in Siliguri is different from Standard Bengali and even uses first-person pronouns like mui (I) and ham (we). The dialect is known by different names, including Rajbanshi, Rangpuri, Kamtapuri etc.

Due to the presence of Nepali-speaking migrants from the Darjeeling Hills, Nepali is also spoken in the region.

Get in

By plane

By train

New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station

  • New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station (station code: NJP). The busiest railway station in North Bengal with connections to almost all parts of India (except Goa, Pune, Haridwar and Surat). 2020-10-10

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 from this station. There is also an international 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.

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 provide pre-paid and post-paid taxi services to the city.

Other stations

  • Siliguri Junction railway station (station code: SGUJ). Although mostly servicing local routes, Siliguri Junction also has a few long distance trains including the Mahananda Express (from New Delhi) and the Kanchankanya Express (from Sealdah). Another interchange between the mainstream broad-gauge line with the heritage narrow-gauge line. The station has a pleasant tea room serving locally grown tea just outside the main entrance. 2022-10-25
  • Siliguri Town railway station (station code: SGUT). 2022-12-09

By bus

There are regular buses from Kolkata. The well-known and comfortable Siliguri Rocket, run by the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 8AM (₹245). Some private bus lines also ply the route. The 'Royal Cruiser' Volvo buses leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 9AM (₹745 AC/₹325 non-AC).

Under a joint understanding between Indian and Bangladeshi transport authority, there are regular bus services from Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh. BRTC (Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation) buses leave Dhaka every night at 8PM and reach India-Bangladesh border at Changrabanda post at early morning. These buses will not cross the border and the passengers have to clear customs, walk a few hundred yards to cross the border and board the waiting Indian buses for another three-hour ride to Siliguri. The buses are air conditioned, very comfortable and depart on time. One-way fare from Dhaka to Siliguri is between $20-25, depending on conversion rates.

There is also a regular bus service from Phuentsholing, Bhutan. Buses from Phuentsholing leave at 7AM, 7:30AM, 8:15AM and 3PM daily, with the journey taking approximately four hours. A direct deluxe service links Siliguri to Kathmandu, with buses plying the route on alternate days.

Get around

An electric rickshaw 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 OLA Cabs and Uber, while shared e-rickshaws and vans run on established routes, charging ₹10-15 per person (as of 2021) per journey. The core areas can be covered on foot and is very safe.

See

  • Science City, 26.7256°, 88.3852°. The campus has a museum, a planetarium and an Interpretation Centre that displays various type of flora.

Monasteries

  • Buddha Mundir Monastery, Buddha Mundir Road, Salbari (Salibari), 26.7662232°, 88.4442565°. A monastery established by the Nyingma yogi, Chatral Sangye Dorji Rinpoche
  • Ewan Buddhist Monastery, Junglee Mohal, Toribari Village, Distt, Bhaktinagar (behind Bengal Safari P.O P.S), 26.8024°, 88.4336°, +91 353 259 0264. A large Buddhist monastery in the Nyingma tradition 2019-08-30
  • Khordong Byangter Monastery, Dhansara (on road to Darjeeling, near NJP Station), 26.6668681°, 88.3617536°, +91 99330 62222 or +91 98320 49416. A monastery is in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Accommodation available at the compound.
  • Iskcon Temple, Iskcon Rd, Ward 41, Haidar Par, 26.7291316°, 88.4083123°, +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.
  • Sed-Gyued Institute of Buddhist Studies, Salugara, 26.7631°, 88.4475°. 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. 2017-03-30
  • Triratna Monastery, Salbari, 26.7631°, 88.4475°. 15 - 20 minutes' drive from downtown. A monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism 2018-03-03

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. Sacred objects on sale

Buy

City Centre Mall Silguri sells its wares on three streets: Hill Cart Road, Bidhan Road and Sevoke Road. The former offers more traditional stores and is home to many of the city's hotels, Sevoke is home to several upscale shopping malls and is the centre of the city's banking, while Bidhan Road is primarily known for the street markets that span out from the thoroughfare.

As the centre of a tea-growing area, Siliguri is an excellent place to pick up some Darjeeling and other brands of the leaf.

Handicrafts

Tea

Malls

Cosmos Mall

  • City Centre (The Uttorayon Township), Matigara, NH-31, 26.7246°, 88.3950°. A huge mall offering major brands, international chain eateries, and live music events. 2017-01-21
  • City Mall, Service Road, Ward 13, Punjabi Para, 26.7252°, 88.4293°. Unassuming mall featuring local shops selling traditional clothing & jewelry, plus fast food. 2017-01-21
  • Cosmos Mall, Sevoke Road, 26.7405°, 88.4345°, +91 353 254 5143, kamlesh.sahu@fmnl.in. Daily 10AM–10PM. Mall with a Big Bazaar store, plus fashion, cosmetics & home retailers, eateries & frequent events. 2017-01-21
  • ML Acropolis Mall, Sevoke Road (Opp Anandaloke Hospital). A large mall featuring high end commercial outlets, pub with life music; and movie complex. 2022-11-20
  • Planet Mall, Sevoke Road (vertically opposite Cosmos Mall), 26.7397°, 88.4356°. A modern complex filled with pubs, restaurant, and cafes. A very happening place for the under 40s. 2022-01-09
  • Vega Circle Mall, Nimbu Basti, 26.7523°, 88.4390°, vega@vegacircle.com. Daily 10:30AM–9PM. Home to an INOX movie theatre, hotel, and international stores, including a large branch of the well known London toy store, Hamleys. 2017-01-21

Street markets

  • Bidhan Market, Ward 11, Hakim Para (near the Kanchenjunga Stadium), 26.7174°, 88.4253°. Daily noon–9PM. The oldest and largest street market in Siliguri, Bidhan Market meanders along streets and alleys and is particularly bustling and atmospheric at night. 2016-10-19
  • Hong Kong Market, 6, Satyajit Roy Colony Rd, Ward 41, Don Bosco Colony, 26.7156°, 88.4252°. Tu-Su 9:30AM–9:30PM. Lively, long-standing market for bargain clothing, electronics & cosmetics, plus food vendors. However, beware of duplicate items. Even items made in Delhi stamped with "Made in China" are being sold here. The actual price of the item will be 1/2 or 1/3rd of the price the shopkeeper asks. 2016-10-19
  • Seth Srilal Market, Ward 11, Hakim Para, 26.7161°, 88.4235°. Daily noon–9PM. Buzzing market in the heart of the city, where you might get the best deals. Also famous for its Momo Gali (Momo Street). 2016-10-19

Eat

Due to the large number of Nepalese and Tibetans living in Siliguri, the city offers an excellent selection of authentic Tibetan and Nepali delicacies. In addition, there are also several good quality restaurants specializing in Western and Chinese cuisine as well as a considerable number of US fast food outlets.

Drink

Tashi Gomang Stupa

Coffee

As Siliguri is at the heart of a tea-growing area, it has traditionally been associated with tea. However, following the international trend, coffee culture has made inroads in the city and there are now numerous branches of cafe chains as well as a growing number of independent coffee shops in and around Siliguri.

Tea

Alcohol

300x300px With a young, educated, and liberal population, Siliguri enjoys a vibrant and lively pub scene. Planet Mall is the city's main watering hole, and there are a number of pubs and cafes throughout the mall.

Sleep

If you are using Siliguri as an overnight halt, you might consider your hotel options based on the convenience of traveling to your next destination. Bagdogra, Matigara and Darjeeling More areas are convenient for Darjeeling, Kurseong (route 110), and the airport (route 327), while Salugara, 2nd or 3rd mile Sevoke Road addresses are good for Kalimpong, Gangtok and Bhutan (route 10).

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Courtyard by Marriott Many of the modern, up-scale hotels are on Sevoke Road (2nd-3rd mile), near Vega Circle Mall.

Stay safe

As in all of India, travelers may find themselves falling victim to scams and touts. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice, and do not openly show that this is your first trip to the city.

If you're arriving after midnight, it is advisable to have accommodation pre-booked and an arranged pick-up from the bus terminal or station. Otherwise, you should have the phone number of a reliable person with you so that you have someone to contact in the event of getting lost or in difficulty.

In general, however, Siliguri is an extremely safe city with a low crime rate, and violent crimes against international travelers are unheard of.

Siliguri Metropolitan Police

ISKCON Siliguri The Siliguri Metropolitan Police is one of the most advanced police forces in North Bengal. There are police patrollers all around the city and can be asked for any help.

Emergency numbers

  • Emergency Number, 112.
  • Police, 100.
  • Fire, 101.
  • Ambulance, 102. or dial the nearest local hospital
  • Women's Helpline, 1091.

Connect

Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are three major service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are Airtel, VI (formerly Vodafone) and Jio. Airtel is the preferable one as it provides high quality calls and great internet speed all across the city.

To call Siliguri from abroad you will need to dial the international prefix for your country, followed by India's country code +91. If you want to dial a landline no. from a mobile, then you have to add the area code of Siliguri, 0353 before the number.

Internet services are unreliable in some parts of the city. Most stores have broadband connections. Both the railway stations have free high-speed Wi-fi services but you need an Indian mobile number to register and receive the One-time password.

Cope

Newspapers

Local newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day-to-day updates about the city. The city has number of newspapers and other publication that list local happenings. There are different options for newspapers including daily, weekly and bi-weekly. Some of the popular newspapers are Uttarbanga Sambad, Bartaman, Anandabazar Patrika and The Statesman.

Rentals

Money exchange

There are several banks that offer foreign exchange and ATM service.

Hospitals/clinics

Ayurvedic medicine

Tibetan medicine

Western medicine

Nearby

  • Sap Nikla Forest, 26.4°, 88.3°. The forest and nearby lake is a popular tourist destination for travelers visiting the Siliguri area 2022-12-07

Go next

  • Darjeeling — one of the oldest hill stations in India with interesting sites as well as trekking opportunities.
  • Gangtok — this hill station is a popular site as a jumping-off point for treks, the home of the Banjhakri Falls, views of surrounding mountains and friendly atmosphere.
  • Gompa Dara — a small village that is the site of Gompa Rock and meditation caves and the Ogyen Mindrol Samtenling (Buddhist monastery)
  • Jalpaiguri — a city with many historical links to the past
  • Jaldapara National Park — this national park is a 180-min drive from Siliguri. It's famous for its wildlife, in particular the Indian rhinoceros, bison, elephants, and peacocks.
  • Kalimpong — a small city with many gardens and religious sites.
  • Kathmandu. The Indian border town of Panitanki is around one hour from Siliguri. From there, it is 1.7 km to the Nepalese border town of Kakarbhitta (rickshaws available).
  • Lava — a hamlet surrounded by beautiful natural forests. Home to the Lava Monastery and a spot to view Kanchenjunga peak at sunrise.
  • Loleygaon (Lolegaon) — a village noted for its Canopy Walk, Jhandi Dhara Sunrise Point, and Lolegaon View Point.
  • Mirik — a hill station with scenic views and tea gardens. The town is home to Sumendu Lake, several religious sites, and the international Bokar Buddhist Meditation Centre.
  • Mangpoo — a small village (hill station) with beautiful views was once known for its medicinal plant cultivation. It was the site where poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote his famous poem Janmadine.
  • Phuentsholing — Buses depart for Phuentsholing at 7:30AM and 2PM every day from opposite Golden Plaza on Burdwan Road (behind Air View More). Tickets are sold at a counter near the bus - ₹300. There are more frequent Indian buses to the border town of Jaigaon from Siliguri Bus Station on Hill Cart Road. In addition, trains depart Silguri Junction at 7:45AM and 1PM (local - around 4 hours) and 8:15AM and 12:30PM (express - around 3 hours) to Hasimara, from where an auto (shared - around Rs30-50, reserved - around Rs300) can be taken to Jaigoan - 20 minutes. Foreign nationals need to complete Indian immigration formalities before entering Bhutan, and so need to get off the bus at the immigration office in Jaigaon.

Siliguri

siligurismc.in
Postal code:734001Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:Asia/KolkataPopulation:294,546Coordinates:26.72, 88.42

Darjiling

2nd-order administrative division

West Bengal

Primary administrative division

India

india.gov.in
Population:1352.6 MDial code:+91Currency:Rupee (INR)Voltage:230 V, 50 Hz
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