Viewpoints · Siliguri
Coronation Bridge and the Teesta at Sevoke
At Sevoke, about 20 km from Siliguri, the Teesta leaves the hills and the Coronation Bridge carries the road east into the Dooars. Pair it with the hilltop Sevokeswari Kali temple and the view up the gorge.
The Coronation Bridge was planned in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and it opened in 1941. Its single concrete arch spans the Teesta where the river comes out of its gorge, and the road it carries is the one most Dooars travellers use. Locals call it Bagh Pul, the tiger bridge, after the pair of big-cat statues at its end.
Just before the bridge, steps climb from the road to the Sevokeswari Kali temple, a busy roadside shrine where drivers stop for blessings before the hills. From the steps and the bridge approach you can look up the Teesta gorge towards Kalimpong and down to the plains. Stopping on the bridge itself is not allowed and traffic is heavy; use the marked viewpoints and parking.
Since the October 2023 Teesta flood and the earlier dam works upstream, the river here looks different from older photographs, with more silt and changed banks. The NH10 road north along the Teesta has had long closures; if you are heading on to Kalimpong or Sikkim, check current status before you travel.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
Can we stop on the Coronation Bridge for photos?
No. It is a narrow, busy highway bridge and police discourage stopping on it. Park at the approach before or after the bridge and walk to the safe viewpoints. The best angles are from the Sevoke side and from a short walk along the road on the Bagrakote side.
Is the Sevoke Kali temple worth the climb?
If you are fit, yes. It is a short but steep flight of steps from the road, about 10–15 minutes up. The temple is busy with drivers and local devotees, and the climb gives a broad view over the Teesta. Remove shoes at the top and carry small change for offerings.
Why is it called the Coronation Bridge?
It was planned in 1937 to mark the coronation of King George VI and named for that event. Construction finished in 1941. Its local name, Bagh Pul, comes from the two big-cat statues placed at one end, often described as tigers or lions depending on who you ask.
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