Raiganj’s claim to fame is the Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary. This tiny city in West Bengal is a haven for winged creatures and has started drawing people in from all over the country to watch them in their natural habitat. Blessed with lovely green environs, plenty of water in the form of the Kulick River and its vast adjoining swamp, along with a pollution-free atmosphere, Raiganj is a little-known tourist destination that packs in a punch.
The Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary which is also known as the Kulick Bird Sanctuary, is just four kilometers from the town center and is the second largest bird sanctuary in Asia. Spread over a large area, the sanctuary is home to many species of migratory and resident birds. Migratory birds start arriving at Raiganj from June. These include night herons, open-bill storks, cormorants and egrets. Resident birds include drongoes, kites, several varieties of kingfishers, flycatchers, woodpeckers, owls and many more. The birds begin laying eggs from August to September, and start training the young ones to fly in November-December, which is the best time to visit.
Undiscovered and untainted, Raiganj offers a rustic charm with its culture. Local dances such as Natua, Jang Gan, Mokha and Halna Halnani can be watched during festivals such as Durga Puja. The town is known for its terracotta handicrafts and decorative jute articles, so be sure to pick up some as keepsakes or souvenirs.
In and around Raiganj, you can easily hail auto-rickshaws or cycle-rickshaws. For bird-watching within the parkland, it is best to hire a boat or walk. Cars for hire are also available for in-city travel.
You can reach Raiganj through train.Raiganjis one of the most popular train stations in Raiganj.
By road Raiganj is surrounded by Kaliaganj, Kishanganj, Katihar which are 12.9 km, 33.92 km, 35.12 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.