Saturday, April 3, 2010

Jalpaiguri The Cultural Town Of West Bengal

 Geography:
The district situated in the northern part of West Bengal has international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh in the North and South respectively and borders with Assam and Darjeeling hills in the East, West and Northwest. The entire topography is crisscrossed with rivulets, rivers and hills. The district is the gateway to the entire North-Eastern States and Bhutan.
Location: Between 26'.16'' And 27'.0' North and 88'.4' And 89'.53'' East Longitude.
Geographical Area: 6245 Sq. Km. Area under Tea Garden: 1987 Sq. Km. Area under Forest Land: 1790 Sq. Km.
Major Rivers: Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka, Raidak, Sankosh.

  History:
The name Jalpaiguri came from the Rajbongshi/Kamatapuri word "jalpai" means "olive" which grew in the town and were seen even in 1900. The suffix "guri" means a place.Jalapaiguri is one of the part of the ancient "KochRajbongshi" Kingdom i.e"Kamatapur". Presently Jalpaiguri is the part of West Bengal which is situated in North-bengal mostly habitated by the Rajbongshi community of this area. The name as well be associated with Jalpesh, the presiding deity (Shiva) of the entire region.