Photo: Rupeshsarkar · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mahananda Sanctuary and SevokeHeight above mean sea level 170 m

wildlife sanctuary · Dooars and the Terai

Forest on Siliguri's doorstep and the 1941 bridge over the Teesta

Best Oct – Apr0 nights

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 159 sq km of forest between the Mahananda and Teesta rivers, rising from 166 m at Sukna, 13 km from Siliguri, to about 1,500 m near Latpanchar. At its eastern edge, Sevoke has the 1941 Coronation Bridge and a hill Kali temple. All of it is a half-day from Siliguri.

Most travellers drive past Mahananda without noticing. The road to Darjeeling via Sukna and Rohini, and the road to Gangtok and the Dooars via Sevoke, both skirt its edges. Yet this is a large sanctuary, about 159 sq km of forest between the Mahananda and Teesta rivers, climbing from the plains near Sukna to around 1,500 m in the hills near Latpanchar. It was first protected as a game sanctuary in the 1950s, mainly for gaur and tigers, and became a wildlife sanctuary in 1976.

For a visitor with half a day in Siliguri, Mahananda offers three things. First, a forest drive or walk from the Sukna side, through sal and riverine forest where elephants and gaur live. Second, the hornbills of the upper sanctuary around Latpanchar, where great, rufous-necked and oriental pied hornbills are seen in season. Third, Sevoke, where the Teesta comes out of its gorge and the Coronation Bridge crosses it in a single steel-and-concrete arch.

Sevoke is the hinge of the region. From here, the road over the Coronation Bridge leads east into the Dooars, while the road up the Teesta valley leads to Kalimpong and Sikkim. The river view from the bridge, the Sevokeshwari Kali temple up its flight of steps, and the tea and momo stalls by the road make it a natural first or last stop on any Dooars trip.

Don't miss

Highlights of Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke

The Coronation Bridge

A single arch over the Teesta gorge at Sevoke, built 1937–41. Stop at a safe point near the bridge to see the river coming out of the hills; the view upstream into the gorge is the best part.

Sevokeshwari Kali temple

A hill temple to Kali at Sevoke, reached by a long flight of steps from the road. Pilgrims stop here on the way to the Dooars and Sikkim; the climb gives a view over the Teesta.

Sukna forest

The southern gate of the sanctuary at Sukna, 13 km from Siliguri, opens into sal and riverine forest. Forest drives and nature walks are organised from here in season.

Latpanchar hornbills

In the upper sanctuary near Latpanchar, hornbills nest in tall trees; spring is the season to see them. It is a separate trip up into the hills from Siliguri or Kurseong.

The Teesta at Sevoke

Sevoke is where the Teesta leaves its narrow gorge and spreads into the plains. The riverbank and road stalls are a classic stop for tea and momos.

Told in the hills

A bridge for a coronation

In 1937 the Governor of Bengal, Sir John Anderson, laid the foundation stone of a new bridge over the Teesta at Sevoke to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The design, by the British executive engineer John Chambers with three Bengali engineers, used a single reinforced-concrete arch springing from rock on each side of the gorge, so that no pier would stand in the Teesta's monsoon floods. It cost about ₹6 lakh and was finished in 1941.

Locals call it the Baghpool, the tiger bridge, after the pair of big-cat statues at one end, though they are usually described as lions. For more than eighty years it has carried traffic from Siliguri into the Dooars and towards Assam, and its age means repairs and traffic limits come up from time to time. Check current status before you travel if you are in a large vehicle.

Pinned to the board

Did you know

The Coronation Bridge at Sevoke was begun in 1937 to mark the coronation of George VI and completed in 1941 at a cost of about ₹6 lakh.

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary rises from 166 m in the Sukna forest to about 1,500 m at Latkothi, so it holds both plains and hill forest.

Three hornbill species, the great, rufous-necked and oriental pied, are recorded in the Mahananda sanctuary.

Things to do

Four ways to spend a day in Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke

30–60 minutes The Coronation Bridge and the Teesta gorge Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke · Free

45–60 minutes Steps up to the Sevoke Kali temple Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke · Free; small donations optional

2–3 hours Forest drive from the Sukna gate Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke · ₹500–2,000 per vehicle with fees, indic…

Full day or overnight from Siliguri Hornbill season in upper Mahananda Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke · ₹3,000–4,500 for a car plus guide, indi…

Getting there

How to reach Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke

Reserved carFrom Siliguri, a car to Sevoke and the Coronation Bridge takes about 45 minutes; to the Sukna forest gate about 30 minutes. A half-day car covering both costs about ₹1,500–2,500, indicative 2026. Every reserved car to the Dooars passes the bridge anyway.

Bus / shared vehicleBuses and shared jeeps from Siliguri towards Kalimpong, Gangtok and Malbazar pass through Sevoke. Get off at Sevoke bazaar for the bridge and temple; the fare is about ₹30–60, indicative 2026.

RailSevoke station is on the Siliguri–Alipurduar line, and Sukna is a station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Most visitors use road transport, which is more frequent.

Costs in Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevokeindicative, 2026

Half-day car Siliguri → Sevoke and Sukna₹1,500–2,500, indicative 2026
Bus or shared jeep Siliguri → Sevoke₹30–60, indicative 2026
Sanctuary entry and vehicle fees at Sukna₹100–500, indicative 2026
Tea and momos at Sevoke₹50–150, indicative 2026

Fares and fees change with fuel prices, season and local union rates. Check current rates before you travel.

Money-saving tip

If you are heading to the Dooars or Kalimpong anyway, ask your driver for a 15-minute stop at Sevoke; the bridge and river cost nothing to see.

Where to stay

Sleeping in Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke

Stay in Siliguri and visit Mahananda and Sevoke as a half-day trip; the city's hotels, from WBTDC's Mainak Tourism Property to Sinclairs, Courtyard by Marriott and Mayfair Tea Resort, are all within 30–45 minutes. A few resorts and homestays have opened along the Sevoke road and near the forest edges; choose carefully. For the hornbills of Latpanchar, stay in a homestay in Latpanchar village in the hills.

budget

Mainak Tourism Property (WBTDC) Government lodge · Siliguri (NJP and Bagdogra) ₹2,000–4,500 per room night, indicative premium

Mayfair Tea Resort Resort · Siliguri (NJP and Bagdogra) ₹9,000–18,000 per room night, indicative

On the map

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

Next stations

Near Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke

All of Dooars

Siliguri (NJP and Bagdogra)122 m

Arrive at NJP or Bagdogra, then find the right jeep

City · best Oct – Mar · 0–1 nights

Lataguri100 m

The base for Gorumara, with forest on both sides of the road

Village · best Oct – Mar · 2 nights

Gorumara National Park110 m

Small park, big watchtowers, and rhinos on the Murti and Jaldhaka

National park · best Nov – Apr · 2 nights

Questions people ask

Mahananda Sanctuary and Sevoke: questions answered

What is Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary known for

Forest close to Siliguri, gaur and elephants, three species of hornbill, and a range of habitats from 166 m at Sukna to about 1,500 m near Latpanchar. It covers about 159 sq km between the Mahananda and Teesta rivers and became a wildlife sanctuary in 1976.

Is Mahananda worth visiting

As a half-day from Siliguri, yes: a forest drive from Sukna, the Coronation Bridge and the Kali temple at Sevoke. For birders, the hornbills of the upper sanctuary in spring are worth a dedicated trip. For big-mammal sightings, Gorumara and Jaldapara are better.

How do I visit the Coronation Bridge from Siliguri

Take any bus or shared jeep towards Kalimpong, Gangtok or the Dooars and get off at Sevoke, about 22 km and 45 minutes from Siliguri, or use a car. The bridge is just beyond Sevoke bazaar on the road to the Dooars.

When was the Coronation Bridge built

Construction began in 1937, when the Governor of Bengal laid the foundation stone to mark George VI's coronation, and the bridge was completed in 1941. It was designed by John Chambers with three Bengali engineers and cost about ₹6 lakh.

Is Mahananda open all year

The sanctuary closes to tourist activities in the monsoon, usually from mid-June to mid-September, like other North Bengal protected areas. The roads through Sevoke and Sukna stay open, subject to landslides. Check current status before you travel.

Can I see elephants near Sevoke

Yes. Elephants cross the roads around Sevoke and Sukna, especially at dusk and night. Drivers know the crossing points. Never stop close to them, get out, or use a flash. If one is on the road, wait at a distance until it moves away.

Where should I stay to visit Mahananda

Siliguri is the best base, within 30–45 minutes of Sukna and Sevoke, with hotels at every budget. For the hornbills of the upper sanctuary, stay in a homestay at Latpanchar in the hills for an early start.

Is Sevoke on the way to Gangtok

Yes. The road from Siliguri to Gangtok, Kalimpong and the Dooars all pass through Sevoke. At Sevoke, the Dooars road turns right over the Coronation Bridge, while the road to Sikkim and Kalimpong continues up the Teesta valley along NH10.

Is there a railway at Sevoke

Yes. Sevoke station is on the line from Siliguri to the Dooars and Alipurduar, and the Sevoke–Rangpo railway line to Sikkim has been under construction from here. Most visitors still travel by road. Check current status of the Sikkim line before you travel.