Chilapata

The Chilapata Forest is a dense forest near Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Dooars. Chilapata has become a favourite Tourist destination for many in the recent past. You can go for a visit with permission of the forest department and accompanied by approved guide. Chilapata can easily be visited from Jaldapara as part of day sightseeing tour as the distance is barely 15 kms. The chief attraction at Chilapata is the "Nalraja Garh" or the fort of the Nal kings. The fort was built during the Gupta period in the fifth century, although the fort itself is in ruins now, it has tremendous archeological importance and reminds one of the golden age in the history of India. Among the wildlife, one horned rhinos, large number of elephants, bison, deer, and leopard, lesser cats, cheetah, sambar, barking deer, wild boar etc. are available here. Chilapata forest near Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) is the main corridor between the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) and Jaldapara WLS for the Elephants. It is very dense forest and a small car drive/biking through the forest is just wonderful experience. One can have a 24 Km drive from Sonapur chowpathi to Gurudwara at Hasimara through the dense forest Chilapata. There are daily bus/other vehicle service too. You may come across wild animals at the forest roadside if you are lucky. One of the main attractions of Chilapata Forest is the Nal Rajar Garh or Fort of Nal Kings which was believed to be built during Gupta dynasty (The Golden age of India). Though the place is poorly maintained by the archeological department, the ruins are still found here.