Sagar Dighi, the heart of Cooch Behar

Sagar Dighi, the "Ocean Lake"

The Sagar Dighi

If you have actually been to Cooch Behar, or even better, if you're a resident of the much beloved town itself, chances are that you have spent at least one quiet evening enjoying the picturesque environment around Sagar Dighi, while drinking in the serenity that lurks quietly around. If not, you have certainly missed one of the most joyous pieces of experience along the journey of life. In fact, it is indeed literally hard to describe the beauty of Sagar Dighi in words, no matter how carefully chosen, or sentences, no matter how sensationally crafted. It is an experience to be recalling all way through life.

Today I visited the much beloved Sagar Dighi, under a cloudy afternoon sky. And literally speaking, I was just awe-inspired with its beauty, the serene and quiet atmosphere all around, occasionally broken by the distant horn of a bike or two, or sometimes by the shrill, fading cry of a flying bird. Decorated by a thin yet surprisingly well-decorated helping of greenery all around, and bordered by a red, well-maintained wall, the Dighi presented me with an environment fit for splendid photography.

Hiranyagarbha Temple

Extending from the Hiranyagarbha Shiva temple in the west to the outskirts of SBI building in the east, the Dighi enjoys close proximity to all notable government buildings of the area, including the Cooch Behar District and Sessions Court, Office of the District Magistrate, Office of the Superintendent of Police, the District Library of Cooch Behar and last but not the least, the Bar Association building to the north-east. Standing proudly across the centre of the northern panel of the Dighi is the Court of the District and Session Judge, decorated by a beautifully carved statue of His Royal Highness Maharaja Nripendranarayan Bhup Bahadur, the pioneer of development of modern Cooch Behar. The much-beloved and well-respected Maharaja seems to be serenely gazing at the Dighi itself, as it standing guard to protect the seat of power of his beloved kingdom with an ever-ready sword. The Hiranyagarbha Shiva temple is a small yet fascinatingly designed temple that stands boldly in the honour of Lord Shiva, once worshipped there by the noble kings of Cooch Behar themselves. Offices of the local government under the direct control of the District Magistrate and Collector border the east and west of the lake, while a model tank of the Indian army can be seen in the south-eastern side. Flags of India marking the skyline in all directions and swans floating their way across the surface, the lake is indeed a beautiful sight to behold, at any time of the day.

Flowers mark the way

As the misty cover of the evening descends and the last rays of a blood-red Sun fade into the horizon, Sagar Dighi lights herself up once again, thanks to the majesty of science. Artificial lights set up atop the pillars bordering the Dighi in all four directions dispel the very shroud of darkness, and the whole scenery becomes more gorgeous than ever. Little electric lamps of light radiating the glory of light brightly, the blackness of night vanishing shockingly into the now blackened waters of the lake, the wheezing noise of the busy pathways all around, an ideal place to contemplate the beauty of life.

All around the Dighi we can go reading about the history of the kings of the once-celebrated kingdom. Little sign-posts mark historical buildings and give us useful pieces of information about them. Also among the notable places to visit are the Rajbanshi Language Academy and Cooch Behar Adi Brahma Temple. Simply a walk around the lake can broaden the mind, while simultaneously filling us with a stream of fresh oxygen.

Cooch Behar District Court

Sagar Dighi is a blending fusion of the past and present, a place where we can enjoy the serenity of nature while also find ourselves amidst the rapid development of the governmental framework of the town. A place presenting joy and thrill alike, it enjoys an important place in the lives of thousands of inhabitants of the township and tourists alike. With the magical touch of science and architecture  I sincerely believe this majestic lake will go on endowing the people around with momentary respite from the hardships of daily life.