Chilapata

An elephant corridor with a ruined fort inside

Altitude80m Nights1 BestNov – Mar

Photo: Amitosh Roy · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In brief

Chilapata is a dense forest east of Jaldapara, part of the elephant corridor linking it with Buxa Tiger Reserve. Its jeep safaris pass the brick ruins of Nalraja Garh, an early frontier fort, and its forest corporation lodges are among the quietest in the Dooars.

The local story

The fort of the Nal kings

Deep in the Chilapata forest lie the brick ruins of Nalraja Garh, the fort of the Nal kings. The British called them the Mendabari ruins, after the nearby forest village. Walls, a gateway and scattered brickwork rise among the trees, much of it overgrown and split by roots.

Who built it is not settled. Local tradition ties it to a King Nala, and archaeologists have identified it as one of the frontier fortifications of the region once known as Pundravardhana Bhukti, the north Bengal province of the Gupta era; some writers date it to around the 5th century, though that dating is debated and the site has not been fully excavated. Either way it is far older than anything else you will see in the Dooars.

Around the ruins, the forest has its own story. Chilapata links Jaldapara to the west with Buxa to the east, and elephant herds use it to move between the two. The forest department runs jeep safaris on the Chilapata side, and the forest corporation keeps two small lodges at its edges.

The British knew Nalraja Garh as the Mendabari ruins, after the forest village nearby where the forest corporation now runs a small jungle lodge.

Chilapata forms part of the elephant corridor between Jaldapara and Buxa, used by herds moving along the foothills between the Torsa and the Buxa hills.

Hasimara, the station for Chilapata, is also the railhead for Jaigaon, the Indian town opposite Phuentsholing on the Bhutan border, about 20 km north.

About Chilapata

Chilapata feels older and darker than Jaldapara's grassland. The forest is tall and close, with sal, simul and climbers, and the jeep tracks run through tunnels of green. Rhinos come through from Jaldapara, elephants are common, and the birdsong is constant. Then, without much warning, the jeep stops beside a wall of thin red bricks under the trees, and you are at Nalraja Garh.

Most people see Chilapata as one safari from Madarihat. It deserves a night. Stay at the forest corporation's Mendabari Jungle Lodge or Malangi Lodge near Kodalbasti, take an afternoon safari to the ruins and listen to the forest after dark. Buxa and Jayanti are an hour further east.

What to see and do

Nalraja Garh

Brick walls and a gateway of an early fort, overgrown by forest. One of the oldest built sites in the Dooars, reached on the forest department's safari.

Elephants in the corridor

Chilapata links Jaldapara and Buxa, and elephant herds use it year round. Afternoon safaris often meet them on the tracks; drivers keep a careful distance.

Rhinos from Jaldapara

Rhinos wander into Chilapata from the larger park. Sightings are less certain than in Jaldapara's grassland, which makes each one memorable.

A night at Mendabari

The forest corporation's small lodge sits in the Barajhar forest. After dark, barking deer, owls and the occasional elephant trumpet fill the quiet.

Forest birds

Hornbills, woodpeckers, drongos, minivets and green pigeons are common. Dense forest favours patient listening over quick looks.

How to get there

Train: Hasimara on the Dooars line is the nearest station, about 10–15 km from the forest gate; NJP to Hasimara is four to five hours. Check the current timetable and arrange a car from Hasimara.
Reserved car: From NJP about 140–150 km via Birpara and Madarihat, four to four and a half hours, ₹4,500–5,500. From Madarihat it is 20–30 minutes.
From Buxa or Jayanti: About 40–50 km west via Rajabhatkhawa and Hasimara, one to one and a half hours by car.

Where to stay

Stay at the forest corporation's Mendabari Jungle Lodge in the Dakshin Barajhar forest, or its Malangi Lodge at Barodabari near the Kodalbasti forest, both at roughly ₹2,000–2,700 a room in the current tariff. Hasimara has a few budget hotels near the station and on the highway. Madarihat, 20–30 minutes away, has more choice, including the WBTDC lodge.

forest bungalowChilapata Mendabari Jungle Lodge (WBFDC) About ₹2,500 a room (indicative, WBFDC tariff)

Local tips

Book the Chilapata safari as a separate route on the forest department system; it is not the same as a Jaldapara slot.
Take the afternoon slot for elephants moving through the corridor.
Carry insect repellent; the dense forest is buzzing even in winter.
Do not walk outside lodge compounds after dark; elephants pass close.
The forest closes in the monsoon and was hit by the October 2025 floods; check current status before you travel.

02,7005,400

Altitude80 m

Low and warm: humid in summer, mild in winter.

What it costs here

Chilapata jeep safari, six-seat jeep with fees₹2,500–3,500 (indicative)

Forest corporation lodge room₹2,000–2,700 (indicative)

Meals at a corporation lodgeAbout ₹500 pp a day

Car Madarihat–Chilapata₹1,000–1,500

Train NJP to Hasimara₹60–400

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Nov – Mar
Nights we suggest: 1
From Siliguri: ≈ 140–150 km · 4–4.5 h
Altitude: ≈ 80 m
Known for: Nalraja Garh ruins, elephants, dense forest
Network: Weak inside the forest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Chilapata

Culture and history · 2 hours with safariThe brick ruins of Nalraja GarhChilapata · Included in Chilapata safari, ₹2,500–3,…

Wildlife and birds · 1.5–2 hoursAfternoon safari in the elephant corridorChilapata · ₹2,500–3,500 a jeep for up to 6 (indica…

Adventure · OvernightA forest night at MendabariChilapata · About ₹2,500 a room + meals (indicative)

Wildlife and birds · 2–3 hoursForest birding on the Chilapata edgeChilapata · Guide ₹500–1,000

On the map

Chilapata and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Trips that stop here

Go to Chilapata on a ticket

Value Dooars6 nights · Mixed Chilapata, Buxa Fort and Jayanti in a week Chilapata · Buxa · Jayanti · Jaldapara National Park ₹21,000per person
about ₹3,000 a day

Value Dooars5 nights · Mixed Gorumara, Jaldapara and Chilapata in 5 nights Lataguri · Jaldapara National Park · Chilapata ₹19,500per person
about ₹3,250 a day

Comfort Dooars7 nights · Reserved car The Dooars end to end in a week, by car Jhalong · Samsing · Lataguri · Jaldapara National Park ₹42,000per person
about ₹5,250 a day

Comfort Dooars9 nights · Reserved car Nine slow nights from Samsing to Jayanti Samsing · Murti · Jaldapara National Park · Chilapata ₹51,000per person
about ₹5,100 a day

Close by

Nearby places

national park61 m Jaldapara National Park India's second rhino stronghold, on the Torsa

trek stop867 m Buxaबक्सा A Bhutanese fort, a British prison, a Tibetan refuge

forest village200 m Jayantiजयन्ती A wide white riverbed under the Bhutan hills

Ways to travel

Wildlife and birds Photography Solo and backpacking

Questions people ask

Questions about Chilapata

Where is Chilapata?

Chilapata is a forest east of Jaldapara National Park in Alipurduar district, near Hasimara and Kodalbasti. It links Jaldapara with Buxa Tiger Reserve as an elephant corridor. Madarihat is 20–30 minutes away by car and Siliguri about four hours.

What is Nalraja Garh?

The brick ruins of an early fort inside Chilapata forest, known to the British as the Mendabari ruins. Archaeologists link it to frontier defences of the old province of Pundravardhana, with some dating it to the Gupta period. Local tradition names it after a King Nala.

How do I book a Chilapata safari?

Through the West Bengal forest department's online booking system, choosing the Chilapata route, or at the counter if seats remain. A six-seat jeep with entry, guide and fees costs roughly ₹2,500–3,500 in 2025–26. Bring ID.

Can we see rhinos in Chilapata?

Sometimes, as rhinos move in from Jaldapara, but sightings are less certain than in Jaldapara's grassland. Elephants are more frequent in Chilapata. For the best rhino chances, combine a Chilapata safari with a dawn safari in Jaldapara.

Where to stay near Chilapata?

The forest corporation's Mendabari Jungle Lodge and Malangi Lodge near Kodalbasti are the closest, at about ₹2,000–2,700 a room. Hasimara has budget hotels near the station, and Madarihat offers more choice including the WBTDC lodge.

When is Chilapata closed?

Like the other Dooars forests, it closes from about 16 June to 15 September. It may also close after floods or for management work, as after October 2025. Check current status before you travel.

Is Chilapata worth visiting if we have done Jaldapara?

Yes, for a different forest. Chilapata is dense and dark where Jaldapara is open grassland, and it adds the Nalraja Garh ruins and more elephant encounters. One afternoon safari and a night at Mendabari make a strong addition.

How do I get to Chilapata by train?

Take a Dooars line train from NJP or Siliguri Junction to Hasimara, four to five hours, then a car for about 10–15 km to the forest gate or your lodge. Check the current timetable and book a reserved seat on express services.

Is Chilapata near the Bhutan border?

Fairly near. Hasimara, the railhead for Chilapata, is about 20 km from Jaigaon, the Indian town opposite Phuentsholing in Bhutan. The forest itself stays on the Indian side. Entry into Bhutan needs the documents and fees Bhutan currently requires.