<H1>Insignia of tourism</H1>

Cooch Behar Palace

West Bengal has diverse range of fascinating holiday destinations. Somewhere the sun rises midst of sea and somewhere a glimpse of sun smear the snow clad peaks in golden tint. Somewhere, it is spell binding display of generosity of nature that resuscitate the soul and somewhere it is reminder of exquisite historic legacies with assiduous treasure of myths and lore. Each of them is unique in their identity with fathomless beauty. Surrounded by wide stretch of forests and wildlife sanctuaries, blending the grandeur of royal era the district of Cooch Behar frames the explicit picture, like an insignia in the tourism map of India.

Cooch Behar Palace

Erstwhile princely state Cooch Behar was among few richest states of India during British domination. At the royal coronation of Edward-VII in 1902, apart from two other kings of Indian princely states the illustrious king of Cooch Behar Nripendra Narayan was accorded the honour of riding as honorary ADCs beside the royal carriage and he was founder President of the Calcutta club.

Present palace of Cooch Behar was built in 1887 during Nripendra Narayan`s rule with estimated cost of construction was Rs. 80, 00,000/-. The palace is an assortment or a confluence of fascinating western architectures and it was one of the finest in India.

Educated in pioneer institutes of India and England, 21-st king of Cooch Behar, Nripendra Narayan was among the new generation of rulers of Indian princely states who were described as less flamboyant, less self-indulgent, than their predecessors, more conscious of the need for changes and the reformation of their states. King Nripendra Narayan was married to Suniti Devi, and the royal couple extended their support in many social reforms. Abundant examples of discriminating architectures and regal edifices of Cooch Behar carry the flavour of splendour and the legacies that remind the rich history of Bengal.