Sukna is a small town located at the foothills of the Himalayas on the Darjeeling Siliguri route. It is a beautiful place amid green forests. Its vibrant ecology, rich history and diverse culture have caught the attention of the tourist. Away from the chaos of the city, the place is a heavenly paradise for nature lovers. People come to these dense virgin evergreen forests to get refreshed from their busy and restless life.
It is 11 kilometres from the main town of Siliguri and 22 Kilometres from Bagdogra airport. Sukna is located at the entrance gate of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to many birds, butterflies and mammals like the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, roller, minivet, sunbird etc. Some important mammalian species include Indian elephants, Indian bison, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, rhesus monkey, fishing cat and jungle cat, leopard and many more spotted in this area.
The peaceful ambience and untarnished natural beauty of Sukna attract tourists who want to spend some quality time amidst nature. A long drive or walk on a road passing through a thickly wooded forest of Mahananda wildlife sanctuary is a great experience. There is mysterious magic in this place whether it be summer or winter the weather out here never fails to entertain its visitors.
Another attraction of Sukna is the Toy train Station. The toy train goes from the heart of Sukna along with the main road. Sukna offers some of the most prominent landmarks such as the Forest Department Campus, Sukna Army Cantonment and the Sukna Railway Station and museum. Toy train goes from the heart of Sukna along with the main road which is one of the prime attractions of Sukna.
What to See
There are lots of beautiful places one can visit near Sukna, some of them are -
Rongtong – A small picturesque hamlet on the lap of nature boasting of its greenery and aesthetic pleasure. Located 7 kilometres from Sukna. One can reach Rongtong by Toy by Train which is a lifetime opportunity. The road towards Rongtong goes through Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. One can view the entire Siliguri town from there.
Shiv Khola – A picturesque tourist destination in the Darjeeling district near Sukna surrounded by Tea Gardens. Shivkhola is like heaven for those who love to stay close to nature. A small stream adds more beauty to this beautiful hilly village. An ancient temple of Lord Shiva is located on the bank of the river. The Shivkhola village is situated in a lush green valley at a distance of 20Kilometers from Sukna.
Dudhia – Located on the bank of the meandering Balason river is a pictorial hamlet Dudhia just 15 Kilometres from Sukna. Its serene ambience and verdant landscape make this place a favourite to the surrounding people. Dudhia is an ideal place for Riverside camping. It is also a well-known picnic spot for the local people.
How to reach
Nearest Airport – Bagdogra (IXB)
Nearest Railway Station – New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
From Bagdogra, it is 22 kilometres (1 hour) drive and from NJP it is just 15 kilometres.
Best time to visit -
Except rainy season one can visit Sukna throughout the year.
