CoochBehar
district is situated in the north-east corner of West Bengal in India.
It is bordered by Jalpaiguri
district of West Bengal in the north and Assam in the east. Bangladesh
occupies the southern border of the district. Once a Princely State, the
land is enriched with fine climate with natural freshness & beauty.
During the 11th and 12th Century AD, the Pala-Senas
used to rule Coochbehar. The sculptures, coins of the Sultanate and the
Mughal Periods, temples, mosques of the mediaeval and late mediaeval period
reveals that the ancient territory of Kamrup played a role in the development
of the present region of CoochBehar district in West Bengal.
The
early mention about the existance of Kamrup territory can be found as
early as in 4th century AD in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of the
famous Emperor Samudragupta of the Gupta Dynasty. At a distance of 13
kilometer to the west of Dinhata Police Station is the location of Gosanimari
village where a huge mound was traditionally believed to be the ancient
capital of 'Kamtapur' of the 'Khen' kings. At present excavation is going
on at the site with some very interesting results.
The main attraction in Cooch Behar is however, the Palace
of Koch king Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. Idealized from the concept of
classical European style of Italian Renaissance, this magnificent palace
was built by the Maharaja in 1887.
Cooch
behar is also famous for large water bodies. Among them the Rasik bil
is one of the most important one for large collection of migratory birds
assemble here every year. The forest department has built accommodation
in Rasik Bil to meet
the demands of a growing number of tourists.
Temples:
Modan Mohan temple: Situated in the heart of
the Cooch Behar town, the popular temple was constructed by Maharaja Nripendra
Narayan during 1885 to 1889.
Borodebi Temple: Situated at Debibari of Cooch Behar Town. Inside
the Temple idol of Goddess Durga is installed. Influence of European architecture
is found in the construction of the temple building. A Mela takes place
here during Durga Puja.
Brahmo Temple: Established by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan during
1860 to 1880. The Roman époque architecture of the temple is a
rarity in this area.
Kamteswari
Temple: Situated at a distance of about 8 km west of Dinhata railway
station, the original temple is now destroyed. The present temple was
been established by Maharaja Pran Narayan in 1665.
Madhupur Dham Temple: In 1489, Shankaradeva performed his last
journey to Cooch Behar when Maharaja Nar Narayan requested him to preach
the teachings of the neo-Vaishnava cult.
Siddhanath Siva Temple, Dhaluabari: Situated at a distance of 7
km from Cooch Behar Town on the way from Cooch Behar to Dinhata, this
beautiful temple epitomizing terracotta as a mode of art. Constructed
by Maharaja Harendra Narayan and Maharaja Shibendra Narayan during 1799.
Siddheswari
Kali Bari: Situated at a distance of 11 km from Cooch Behar town (one
km from Baneswar), it was constructed around 1830 by Maharaja Harendra
Narayan.
Baneswar Siva temple: Situated at a distance of about 10 km to
the North of Cooch Behar town, the temple has a 'Shivalinga' 10 feet below
the plinth level. Also present in the temple is 'Gouripat'.
Dangar Ayee Temple: Situated at Gunjabari in Cooch Behar town.
Constructed by the 1st Queen i.e. Dangar Ayee, Kameswari Debi, of Maharaja
Shibendra Narayan during 1839 to 1847.
