Kalimpong To Kohima: Exploring The Filming Locations Of 'Paatal Lok' Season 2

We all know at least one person who has preached about bingeing on Paatal Lok Season 2, supposedly the grittier and more gruelling sibling in the franchise. Season two follows Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary (portrayed by Jaideep Ahlawat) — the cynical and undervalued cop — as he embarks on a high-profile murder investigation alongside his accomplice, IPS Imran Ansari (played by Ishwak Singh) in Northeast India. The intricate narrative leans on the misty backdrops and mystical valleys of Kohima, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling to deliver an eerie, edge-of-the-seat experience! In this story, discover the dramatic filming locations of Paatal Lok Season 2 — OTT’s current sensation.

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Paatal Lok: Plot, cast, and trailer

A Nagaland-based political bigwig is brutally murdered at the Nagaland Business Summit in New Delhi. IPS Imran Ansari takes on the case. Meanwhile, his ex-colleague Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary — languishing at the Jamuna Paar Police Station — begins investigating a missing drug courier. Soon, we learn that the two cases are connected, leading the officers to Nagaland. Now, the duo must navigate the brutalities of narcotics, politics, and militancy in India’s northeast while steering clear of the local SP — who’s more trouble than help!

 

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Paatal Lok Season 2 boasts a compelling cast, including Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Tillotama Shome, and Gul Panag. The show is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

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Tracing the filming locations of Paatal Lok Season 2

Nagaland

Often overlooked in mainstream media, Nagaland provides a striking backdrop in Paatal Lok Season 2. The show transports us through Kohima’s enigmatic valleys, mist-clad landscapes, and secluded villages — which, while beautiful, inject a hint of dread and suspicion into the plot.

Also, check out our guide to the most beautiful places in Nagaland.

Things to do in Kohima:

• Embrace the enthralling outdoors at Dzuoku Valley and Japfu Peak (Nagaland’s highest peak at 3,048 m above sea level. Here, consider hiking and trekking against postcard-perfect backdrops.
• Revisit the pages of history at the Kohima War Cemetery, which pays homage to the valiant soldiers who died during World War II.
• Hop onto the wild side at Kohima Zoo, and don’t miss greeting the state’s national bird, Tragopan, here. Also, consider stopping at Ntangki Wildlife Sanctuary, just 35 km from Dimapur.
• Learn more about the regional tribes and their culture at Khonoma Village.
• Pay respects at the Kohima Cathedral.
• Immerse yourself in the colourful culture and traditions of the Naga locals at the Kisama Heritage Village.
• Embark on a nature walk along Shilloi Lake.

West Bengal

The series also transports viewers to the charming locales of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in the Eastern Himalayas. These quaint destinations are renowned for their colonial-era architecture, hills shrouded in mist, serene monasteries, and rustic charm. Kalimpong’s Dr Graham’s Home School makes an impression in the series.

Another filming location of Paatal Lok Season 2 that you can visit in real life is the road connecting West Bengal’s Lepchajaghat to Gopaldhara Tea Gardens. Travel better with our A to Z guide to Kalimpong.

Things to do in Kalimpong:

• Deolo Hill, the town’s highest point at 1,704 m, offers stunning views of Kalimpong. The charming park atop the hill is perfect for a picnic or a stroll. You can also consider paragliding from the mountain.
• Pay respects at the 110-year-old Macfarlane Church.
• Spend a zen morning at the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery or Durpin Gompa. At 1,372 m, this monastery — the largest in the region — delights with gorgeous architecture, paintings, and sprawling views of Kalimpong.
• Explore Dr Graham Homes — the oldest and biggest school in Kalimpong.
• Learn about the culture of the Lepcha Tribe (prevalent in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan) at the Lepcha Museum.
• Watch how paper is created from pulp and recycled in the Himalayan Handmade Paper Industry.

Also read | A Food Lover’s Guide To Bengali Cuisine: West Bengal’s Famous Food, Sweets And Drinks

Things to do in Darjeeling:

• Enjoy a fun-filled ride onboard the Darjeeling Toy Train.
• Brave the rapids and go river rafting at the Teesta River.
• Feeling adventurous? Embark on the Sandakphu trek! At 3,636 m , this peak enchants with views of Mt Everest and the Kanchenjunga Peak.
• Learn rock climbing at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
• Embrace the city’s unrivalled charm by hitching a cable car ride on the Darjeeling Ropeway.
• Explore Yiga Choeling Monastery (also called Ghum Monastery), the oldest Buddhist monastery in Darjeeling. It houses a grand 15-foot-tall statue of the Maitreyi Buddha.

Shop the best travel experiences here

New Delhi

While Season 1 was predominantly filmed in Delhi, the national capital also contributes its vibrant landscape to Paatal Lok Season 2. Delving further into Delhi’s underbelly, the show tackles issues of social inequality and stark disparities in today’s metropolitan landscape.

Things to do in New Delhi:

• Admire the city’s historic sites of India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb.
• Pay respects at the capital’s time-honoured Lotus Temple, Gurudwara Banga Sahib, Jama Masjid, and Akshardham Temple.
• Interested in astronomy? Don’t skip a visit to Jantar Mantar. This observatory, with 13 architectural astronomy instruments, was among the five sites Jaipur’s Maharaja Jai Singh II constructed.
• Unwind amidst nature at Lodhi Garden and Sunder Nursery.
• Head to Chandni Chowk — built by Mughal Ruler Shah Jahan in the 17th century — to witness the charm of Old Delhi, shopping, and street food flavours. Also, check out Hauz Khas Village, Aerocity, and Cyber Hub to witness the city’s booming culinary scene.

(Feature image credit: IMDb)

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