Darjeeling
Short Descr
Darjeeling , the queen of all hill stations,famous for its natural beauty, clean fresh air,year round plesent weather and above all, the ever Darjeeling hill station tour,Darjeeling tour packages smiling and welcoming local people.The 3rd highest pick in the world,mount Kanchenjunga is very close to this lpece and also gives the clearest view.Darjeeling is widely known as visitors paradise because every day it offers something new to everyone ,may be the first time visitoe and may be the regular one.The morning bell comes to the vewers when the firts ray of sun touchesthe mountaina pick.This is tiger hill,a steep ride of five kilometers from Ghoom, is the place where one can witness this hevenly feelings.Here the air is chilly ,but unique to get an experience.Here the new day starts with the world famous blend of tea,foggy and smokky weather,mountain view and smiling face of local Gorkhi people. Darjeeling is also a place to know Tibetan culture,Himalayan Tribal Life, and to see the Tibetian Monasteries, Pine Trees,Tea garden etc.very closely.
Long Descr
Darjeeling is derived from the Tibetian word 'Dorje' which means the precious stone or ecclesiastical sceptre, which is emblematic of the thunderbolt of Indra, and 'ling' - a place, hence the 'Land of the thunderbolt.' Located at 6,800 feet above sea level, with picturesque tea plantations all round, Darjeeling is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. Darjeeling Tea is known as the ' Champagne of Tea' and is the finest in the world. Darjeeling along with its natural beauty spreads away its majestic landscape giving ample opportunities for Adventure Sports.
Darjeeling grew in prominence during the mid 19th century when the British discovered that the area was suitable for growing tea. The town was subsequently annexed by the British Indian Empire, and in 1881 a small railway was constructed linking the town with the lowlands. This development greatly enhanced the town's prosperity and regional importance. .
Due to its cool summer climate, Darjeeling also served as a summer retreat for the British living in Kolkata and in the plains, and as a result, a Victorian town was built among the Himalayan foothills. The British empire has long gone, but the ideal climate and the legacy of British architectural gems remains, making the town a very popular summer resort with both native Indian and foreign tourists. The town is also a jumping off point for travelers heading to Sikkim.
Another fascinating high altitude trek is in the Kalimpong region from Relli, Pankhasari, and Neora to the highest point in the areas, area, Rochella (3,400 m). From here it is a steady descent to Tangta, Jhalang along the foothills to Samsing. Exotic varieties of Himalayan flora, bird, and wildlife can be seen along this route. Low altitude treks are along trails in the lower regions which are less vigorous and are recommended for tourists who like to amble along at a leisurely pace. The Kalimpong-Relli trek through golden paddy fields, the Kurseong-Namsu trail through tea gardens and the Kurseong-Mirik trek are the main trails through low altitude areas. For tourists with less time at their disposal, one day trails are the best from of treks for viewing the entire region. The recommended routes are the ones from Darjeeling to Kurseong through the Old Military Road, Darjeeling to Singla, Darjeeling to Bijabbari and Darjeeling to Tiger Hill. The last of these treks is most popular as once at Tiger Hill (8,482 ft), one can stay overnight to wake to a wonderful sunrise the next morning.
Dawn At Darjeeling
Darjeeling owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun. A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. The snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks slowly emerge from slumber to start a new day. The sun worshippers gasp at the magnificent sight. As the fog lifts in the slowly penetrating sun, the town gradually comes alive. Amidst brewing of tea, the sing-song Gorkhali which is the local dialect, rises and falls like music.
Ethnicity And Food Habits
The people of the region - Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Mirik - consist of the Gurungs from Western Nepal, other Gurkhas races from eastern Nepal, Bhutias and Lepchas from Sikkim and Dukpas from Bhutan. People from the plains have also settled here. The local fare is rice and meat curry and momos which are steamed dumplings, and of course, chow, the locally made noodles. This generally accompanied by chhang, a locally brewed wine made from millet or the jaad which is made from fermented rice. The Gurkhas are staunch Hindus and celebrate all Hindu festivals with equal dedication. But Dussehra is the most popular Gurkha festival.
Darjeeling (Culture And Food)
The people of Darjeeling and near about places like Kalimpong and Mirik are consist of the Gurungs from West Nepal.Other races like Bhutias,Gukhas from east Nepal,Lepchas from Sikkim are also living togather.People from plains also came and have settled there as the place is very charming.
The local fare is rice and meat curry and momos which are steamed dumplings, and of course, chow, the locally made noodles. This generally accompanied by chhang, a locally brewed wine made from millet or the jaad which is made from fermented rice. The Gurkhas are staunch Hindus and celebrate all Hindu festivals with equal dedication. But Dussehra is the most popular Gurkha festival .
Shopping
Darjeeling’s traditional promenade, the Chow Rasta, bustles with the increasing tourist influx and is the throbbing heart of Darjeeling with restaurants and shops lining the way. It has famous eating joints, known especially for milk shakes, pastries and scrumptious patties. At certain studios one can buy the most fascinating photographs of the snow capped mountains that surround Darjeeling, and portraits of locals in traditional attire are souvenirs worth buying. Walking down a countless flight of steps, past colorful vendors, one will come to the lower bazaar. It is a more traditional and lively bazaar filled with a jostling melee of people.
Mall is the place where the visitors can give the finishing touch "shopping" to there visit. This is basically a comercial center of this valley.Here one can find hand knitted sweaters,hand painted wall hangings,fancy bags, himalayan and tibetian antique , and specially tibetian theme based oil paintings of black&white in colour.Here the local people also appear with some traditional food like momos etc.
Mall leads to Chowrasta which is also popular and crowdy like mall for shopping purpose. Here hotels, restaurants and shops are plentily availabale in wide and different range.Woollen garments, tribal ornaments, Thankas, rosaries, brass statuettes and Gorkha daggers arewidely available here.Some shols offers foriegn goods.But the two places, Mall and Chowrasta deserves shopping after huge bargaining.
Trekking
Trekking in the Darjeeling hills started almost a century back.It was one of the first hill region in India where trekking were organised .The Everest and Kanchenjunga stillalluring thousands of nature lovers from different parts of the world since it was discovered.
Darjeeling was the first hill region in India where organized trekking was first conducted by Dr. Hooker in the 1840s. The breathtaking panoramic views of Everest and Kanchenjunga have been alluring thousands of nature lovers from different parts of the world since then. Treks in this region are organized through both high and low altitude areas.
The best time to undertake trekking programeis April-May and Octoberan dNovember. Through Travel Agents and personal program both are acceptable here.Both low and high altitude treks are arranged over here.Some of the most popular treks are Maneybhanjang (2134 m), Meghma (2900 m), Toughu (3070 m), Gairibas (2621 m), Sandakphu (3636 m), and Phalut (3600m)etc.
Journey By Toy Train
The narrow gauge railway lines fondly called the ‘toy train’ extend to over 4,500 kilometers mostly in the hilly regions of India. Among these one of the best known is the 83 kilometers long, 610 mm gauge ‘toy’ railway spanning the gorgeous terrain between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Nestled in the serene Himalayan splendor, the zigzag railway passing through a variety of foliage, linking Siliguri in north Bengal with Darjeeling, is a marvel of miniature rail engineering. The train girdles along streams and tea gardens on the way to Sukana, up a spur of the Singalele range from where the ascent of the line begins. The train strikes the first spiral or loop followed by the second in proximity of the 20 kilometer post, an amazing engineering feat, practically a double loop, for the rise from Rungtong to Tindharia. The third loop is about 22 kilometers away and lends an enchanting peep into the valley below with the Bhutan range in the east, the Teesta river and its Tiger island in the south-east. The sensational point of the fourth spiral, the Agony Point, is reached outside the Tindharia station.
The scenic beauty along the rail line is a thing of joy forever. From those stalwart sal trees, the railway track twists in and out of ravines, the tall cotton trees, the buttressed semul palms, the giant bamboo all entwined with creepers and loaded with ferns and moss. There are fig tress, oak and chestnut trees, the birch, the maple brambles and orchids, some of them interspersed with walnut trees and laurels until, in the vicinity of Cheem, the center of the Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Sect, there is that glorious glimpse of primroses, magnolias and rhododendrons. This luxurious vegetation is topped with sublime landscapes of snowy heights, more than a dozen peaks standing aloft above 6,000 meters - the renown Kanchenjunga and the mountains of east Nepal, Sikkim and Tibet.
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Tea Plantation in Darjeeling, IndiaTake the last winding bend of mountains and feel pure exhilaration fill your being. Reminds you of those two British agents who sent off to explore the region where present day Darjeeling is located Today Darjeeling wears its 'Queen of the Hill Stations' title of bit wearily. There are crowds and clutter. For the place 'Dorje Ling' or a place of thunderbolts, remains just as alluring with its little villages, tiny waterfalls and even tinier toy train track. Darjeeling is situated amidst magical mountains as they are imposing fortresses from their walls to their pinnacles, from their peaks to their crevasses. These extraordinary summits rise up from the gentle plains to the sky. Breathing, moving and relaxing in this scenery means really understanding life and filling yourself with new, refreshing energy.
Go Alive At Darjeeling
This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. The flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir-all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as "The Queen Of Hill Stations".
Elevation
Darjeeling - 2134.m.
Location Details
The Location of Darjeeling is quite convenient for the tourists as it is situated to the north of Kolkata the capital city of West Bengal,.is at an elevation of 2134 m which is approximately 7000 ft above the sea level in the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill Region. Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and is the headquarter of the Gorkha Hill Council. Darjeeling is a district of West Bengal controlled and administered by the Gorkha Hill Council. It comprises of three major towns â Kalimpong, Kurseong on the hills and Siliguri at the foot hills of the Himalayas.
How to Reach There and DistancesThere are taxis available from Bagdogra, Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. If one has never been to Darjeeling and believes that real holidaying lies in the enjoyment of experience, then one should take the mini train from New Jalpaiguri. Completed way back in 1881 by Franklin Prestage, the mini train is the best way of traveling to the old Gurkha station of Darjeeling.
Air
The nearest Airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra.It gives arround 100 km journey to Darjeeling.
Rail
The nearest railhead is Siliguri. Shiliguri is conected to all the major cities of india by train.From Shiliguri and New Jalpaiguri, the Toy Trains are available which gives a memorable journey to Darjeeling.
Road
Shiliguri is also well accessed by road ways and buses , minibuses jeeps run every thirty minutes or so fr
Accommodation
Hotels abound in Darjeeling. Besides the International Youth Hostel, there are more recently opened resorts as well. There is a hotel which boasts as the place where Jinnah met his wife whom he courted and married soon after. Many of the old villas and estates that passed into Indian hands once the British left have been converted into hotels. Hotel Shangrila which is built along the main promenade, Chowrasta, is typical of the traditional pagoda style architecture. It also houses a travel and trekking agency.
Best Season to Visit/Weather
Climate
The best time of the year to undertake this region is April-May and October-November. It is advisable to carry one’s own provisions. Trekking equipment can be hired at nominal charges from the Youth Hostel, as well as some travel agencies. The rains which start by May end are heavy downpours making living conditions cold and dreary. In winter there is a drastic fall in temperature from the summer’s 15 to 25 degrees centigrade to 2 to 10 degrees in winter.
To visit Nearby Places
Places To Visit
No visit to Darjeeling is complete without a visit to Ghoom which is 6 km away from the main town. The hillock is dominated by the famous Yiga Choeling Monastery which has 15 images of the Maitreya Buddha. Belonging to the yellow hat sect, the monastery contains many ancient palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Tibetan script. The Museum of Natural History is where one can see a fine collection of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. If flora is what one enjoys, then Llyod Botanic Garden is the place of interest. It has a marvelous collection of alpine flora and orchids.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the only center in India for the breeding of the rare snow leopard. The Ussurian tigers and the Himalayan black bear are also among its attractions. Neighboring the zoo is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute established in 1954 by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in the wake of the conquest of Everest. Tenzing Norgay was its first Director and Advisor till his demise. A kilometer from the zoo is the Darjeeling-Rangit Valley ropeway. Considered the longest in Asia, it is a thrilling ride with splendid views. If one is looking for souvenirs, then the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center. It produces excellent Tibetan crafts like carpets, wood and leather work. Established in 1959 after the Dalai Lama and his followers fled Tibet, it is a haven for ethnic Tibetan art.
Places Around Darjeeling
Kalimpong
Across the river, Teesta lies lush Kalimpong. The road weaves lazily up a steep incline to suddenly open up to an unexpected panorama. The first sight to greet the eye is the steeple of the Mac Farlane Church. Once the headquarters of a Bhutanese Governor, the word kalim means king’s minister and pong, the stronghold. It is also called Kalimpong or the black spur by the locals. However, the meaning that is popularly accepted is the Lepcha translation of the name which is the ridge where we play as the local tribesmen used to organize field sports here. At an altitude of 1250 meters, it has an area odd just 3.5 square miles with an approximate population of 40,000. Its rolling meadows are as yet untouched by tourism.
Prominent amongst the places of interest is a school, Dr. Graham’s Homes which was founded by Dr. John Anderson Grahman in 1900. This has been built on the slopes of Delo Hill, three kilometers from the town. For a bird’s eye view of the picturesque place, one has to go to Durpin Dara, an observatory point atop a hill from where one can get an awe-inspiring view of the mighty Himalayan ranges. Numerous monasteries dot the area among which the Pedong monastery and Thongsha Gompa are the oldest. Another monastery of interest is the Tharpa Choling Monastery constructed in 1937 by the Yellow Hat sect which is situated at Tirpai Hill at a distance of two kilometers from town.
About 4 km from town towards Teesta is located Kalimpong’s famous Swiss Welfare Dairy. It was set up many years ago by a Swiss missionary, father Andrea Butty. Cheese, butter and other dairy products of this center are in great demand and the quality is comparable to the finest that is imported. The visit to Kalimpong won’t be complete unless one spends several hours at the two bazaars. One on the main road, the other near 10th mile. It is a unique experience to see villagers turning up in their local costume at the bazaar on weekly market days to sell their farm products.
Mirik
Set in idyllic surroundings, Mirik is the place for those seeking peace and tranquility. At an altitude of 1967 meters, the climate is cool and temperate. The Sumendu Lake at the bottom of Mirik Spur is the most dominating feature reflecting the magnificence of the eastern Himalayas. The lake is 1.2 kilometers long and is fed by perennial streams. Riding on the colorful boats or crossing the lake over an artistic bridge, leads one to a charming path through forests on the other side. Fishing is a popular past time here.
Mirik is also almost completely surrounded by some of the best tea gardens of the region. It is also the largest producer of oranges in West Bengal. The orchards are on a spur two kilometers from Mirik. Tourist cottage constructed from locally available material have been constructed in the dense forest and provide all modern facilities for a comfortable sojourn. The DGHC Tourism (Tourism Deptt. of the Darjeeling Gurkha Hill Council) organizes conducted luxury coach tours from Darjeeling to Mirik and back on the same day during the tourist season.
Bhutia Busty Gompa
Set amidst the entourage of the Kanchenjunga range, Bhutia Busty Gompa is one of the famous Buddhist monastery. The Gompa is a branch of the Nyingmapa sect's Phodang Monastery in Sikkim. The monastery is not far from the Chowrasta and is very tastefully decorated.
Botanical Gardens
This place is worth a visit for its distinct and distinguishing collection of a variety of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids. The gardens also has a green house.
Chowrasta- The view of Downtown Darjeeling
This one of the exclusive shopping places in Darjeeling. Here the Nehru Road and the Mall Road cross each other. The snow capped peaks of Kanchenjunga are visible from this place. There are several Hindu and Buddhists temples and you can also enjoy a pony ride form this place.
High In The Mountains
Whether you see it or not Kangchendzonga is omnipresent. Clothed in beautiful mountain mists, there is always the off chance that a brilliant sunset may bring its elusive image in. If not then from October onwards you will have the beautiful view of the place from dawn to dusk. Just soak in the splendour when the peak shakes off the night to dress in the hues of a fresh dawn. The gold and orange version of the light worths it. Close by is the Senchel Lake.
Kanchenjunga View, DarjeelingThe Chuk Chuk Gari....
If you have a time and inclination, catch a ride on the Darjeeling Toy Train which UNESCO recognizes as a world Heritage Railway from Kurseong to Ghoom. The Kanchendzonga Range also looms large and beautiful from Bhan Bhakta Sarani further up. In the neighborhood is the Observatory Hills.
Dhoom Gompa
About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Dhoom Gompa. Here a very beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha ( prospective Buddha) is established. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Museums
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is located on the West Jawahar road. The institute runs courses for training mountaineers as well as has the very good collection of mountaineering equipments which have been used in various mountaineering expeditions and other wise. You can also view the Himalayan peaks through the Zeiss Telescope given to the Nepalese Maharaja by Hitler.
Observatory Hills
This point provides one of the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peaks. This place is also very sacred for the Hindus and the Buddhists as there are temples and the monasteries at this place. The Kali temple is decorated with the colorful flags.
Birch National Park
This is a mountaineering museums, an ensemble of Mountaineering Museums it has a great collection of mountaineering equipment, specimens of flora and fauna, traditional attire of Himalayan tribes, souvenirs from mountaineering clubs from all over the world and a relief model of the main peaks of the Himalayas.
Tea Estates
Darjeeling is just as famous for its chai industry. The fragrances of tea still rules the senses and lines the pocket here. Sprawling estates with Bungalows as old as colonialism dot the local map. Some of the tea gardens like Badamtam, Runglee Rungliot, Happy Valley, Thurbo, Margeret's Hope and Castleton.
Gardener's Delight
Also tucked away in Darjeeling are gardens, parks and natural history museums that has amazing selection of natural history. Shrubbery is a garden with a view o0f Kangchendzonga and Singalila Valleys. The Lloyd Botanical Gardens harbours Himalayan and Alpine plant varieties including flowers and orchids.