Introduction to city Darjeeling - In West Bengal
For witnessing the sheer magnificence of mountains, unsullied
and pristine, nothing compares with a visit to the famous
hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Even as you
drive up the curvaceous roads or take the famous toy train
to your destination, you will be awestruck by the resplendence
of nature. From the humid plains, you suddenly fill your
tired lungs with fresh mountain air. Gurgling streams
rush past and in springtime, the ranges are flaming with
rhododendrons. The ethnic population is friendly and the
influence of Buddhism is strong. Past the Batasia
loop, past the Ghoom Buddhist monastery, past the lush
tea gardens, you finally arrive in a quaint town with
slanting red roofs among the recent upsurge of concrete,
peeping at you from behind lofty pines.
Like many other hill stations, Darjeeling rose into prominence
during the British Raj when it was developed as a major
rest and recreation centre. Until the 19th century, Darjeeling
(derived from Dorje Ling, meaning the place of the thunderbolt)
was part of Sikkim. In 1817, Sikkim conceded the rights
to use the place as a health sanitarium to the British
after they helped to settle a rather disastrous dispute
between Sikkim and Nepal. The imprint of the English on
Darjeeling is indelible and can be seen in its gardens,
tea estates, hotels and lifestyle.
SightSeeing : Places to visit in
destination - Darjeeling
Darjeeling offers all that is precious in nature—the
hush of the hills, the green depth of the forest and the
majesty of the mountains. It is a tradition while visiting
Darjeeling to go to the Tiger Hill before daybreak
to see the first rays of the sun strike the mountains.
Another tradition is to spend a few hours everyday taking
in the air at the Chowrasta (crossroads), the promenade
at the centre of the town. The Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute is a paradise for trekkers. You can, if
you wish, go on short or long treks, depending on your
stamina and enthusiasm. The Tibetan Self-Help Centre
has a range of carpets for sale in their showroom, woven
with dexterity on the premises by refugees who fled their
land with the Dalai Lama. Take a look, if not a pick.
Also remember to visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan
Zoological Park and in case it is the /’season/’ and
you are an untested racing freak, go to India/’s stupendous
race-course in Lebong, nestled high in the mountains.
Other places to see include the Darjeeling Zoo
which houses tigers, bears, wolves and the rare snow leopards
and the Botanical Gardens with its collection of
alpine plants, orchids and ferns. In addition, Darjeeling
is famous for its flavoured tea all over the world. The
brew is often compared to champagne and the tea gardens
that dot the slopes are witness to this mammoth industry.
Excursions : Places nearby city -
Darjeeling
Once you are through with the sightseeing inside Darjeeling
town, it/’s the time to proceed to see the sites nearby.
The journey itself is a thrilling experience with high-altitude
mountains roads on one side and cloud-covered valley on
the other. You can take short trips to Mirik, land of
oranges, and the charming city of Kalimpong, famous
for its orchids and curio shops. In the same area is Kurseong
from where you can get a panoramic view of the Gangetic
delta from Eagle/’s Crag. Some other nearby places that
can be visited from Darjeeling include Takdah, Sandakphu,
and Siliguri.
Darjeeling City Travel Guide |
Sight Seeing of Darjeeling |
Excursion in Darjeeling |
Darjeeling Travel Tours |
Darjeeling Hotels |
Picture Gallery of Darjeeling
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