While all of Kolkata was out on the streets, hopping from one pandal to another, guess what actor Suman Dey aka Jash from popular Bengali TV serial Nakshi Kantha was doing? Well, the Siliguri boy had gone far away from the crowds and spent Durga Puja with friends and family in the hills and forests of North Bengal. Want to follow his footsteps? Here are five places in North Bengal you should totally explore.

Who doesn’t know Kurseong, the sleepy, dreamy small town which you cross on the way to Darjeeling? Well, this hill town, which is also famous for its boarding schools, is an abode of calm that you must visit. From walking on the misty hilly road in Dowhill to visiting the famous Makaibari Tea Estate and Eagle’s Craig for a bird’s eye view of Kurseong and Siliguri, there is a lot to do here.

A small cluster of villages in Kurseong, Sittong is known for its lush-green mountains which are well known for orange cultivation during winter. Don’t forget to check out the old monastery which also offers a great view of the Kanchenjunga range. Trekking and bird watching are two other activities that you can indulge in while in Sittong.

Once ruled by the Lepcha kings, Gorubathan is now a popular tourist spot. Situated next to the Neora river, it has hills, rivers, forests and even tea gardens which you can explore. You can also visit the ruins of the Dalim fort that was built by Bhutanese kings.

The Lohagarh Tea Estate is an experience in itself. But even apart from that, Lohagarh is beautiful. It has two rivers – Mechi and Manjha – running along both sides and has lush green hills and waterfalls, making it the perfect tourist spot.

A beautiful village in Darjeeling, Lamagaon has recently become popular with tourists. The locals run several homestays where you can put up. If you want to spend some peaceful time surrounded by nature, this is where you should head to.

For more entertainment, watch Krishnakoli on ZEE5.