A quaint town at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges, Siliguri is a postcard-perfect amalgamation of urban culture and natural beauty. The picturesque city is endowed with the best of nature, full to the brim with its rolling green tea gardens and the snow-clad Himalayan mountaintops peeking into the horizon at a distance. Owing to its rich wildlife population, tourism in Siliguri is synonymous with its wildlife safari facilities. The vast Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary, sprawling between the banks of Teesta and Mahananda, is home to a number of species of animals and birds, and also provides its guests ample opportunities for trekking and bird watching. The sanctuary also houses the North Bengal Wild Animals Park, where tourists can avail jeep rides to watch the animals play and be in their natural habitats. A major tourist attraction in Siliguri is the Salugara Monastery, famous for its 100-feet stupa built by Tibetan Buddhist Monks. The monastery, known as The Great International Tashi Gomang Stupa, is situated only 6 kms away from the main town and houses five major Buddhist relics, making it one of the most popular Buddhist monasteries in the world. Siliguri, however, is not negligent to other faiths. One can also find here the magnificent ISKCON temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, and Kali Mandir which welcomes a number of pilgrims each year.

Location: West Bengal
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Famous for: Gateway of Northeast India