In love with charms of Cooch Behar

Living in what is well-known as the ‘city of beauty’, Cooch Behar in West Bengal is, and has always been, a royal city ever since its inception as a princely state. It is believed that this city entices into its utopian realm only those who are true worshippers of beauty— the philocalists.

And being a student of literature, I feel lucky for not being an exception and agree with John Keats that “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.

From setting foot here for my post-graduation to working in the city as a researcher now, the city’s beauty has not let me leave it.

With all its interesting myths, cultural traditions, and varied belief systems, it has truly satiated my research enthusiasm. I could not help but gradually fell in love with this city — the places, the people, the streets, the temples, the rivers, the shops, the parks, and my loving university — all of which have ended up becoming my new family.

Shrestha Chakraborty, Dinhata, West Bengal