Darjeeling is nestled among the rolling mountains in Northeast India, one of the beautiful district of West Bengal and one of the most famous hill station in the world. Crowning with Mt Khangchendzonga over the azure sky, Darjeeling is known as “Queen of the Hills".It is a perfect getaway for those seeking to be in harmony with nature and the people.Darjeeling conjures visions of snow peaks, serenity of vibrant green hills steeped in splendour, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. Until the early part of the eighteenth century, Darjeeling was under the king of Sikkim. Later Gorkhas invaded the region and annexed the area, which they eventually lost to British. The British used the place to escape the heat and found the strategic importance of the area. They, hence, developed the area as a hill station and tea-growing area. Darjeeling is well known for its tea industry and eco-tourism. Darjeeling is thought to be derived from the word Dorjeeling, which literally means 'the place of Dorjee' the majestic thunderbolt. Some believe that the thunderbolt belongs to the Lamaist religion and some believe that it belongs to Lord Indra.
How to reach here:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 93 km from Darjeeling.
By Rail: The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri,which is at a distance of 62 km from Darjeeling. The town of Darjeeling is also approachable from Siliguri, nearly 80 km away, by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also known as Toy Train.
Best time to visit: September to June.
Languages spoken: Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, English.
Must eat: Momo, Wai-Wai, Churpee, Thukpa.
Famous Restaurants: Footsteps, Park Restaurant, Dekeva's, Kunga.
Places you must visit:
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as the 'Toy Train' is one of the main attractions of the region. The track on which the train runs is only 600 millimeters wide. The size of the train is commensurate giving it the name `Toy Train`. Narrow Gauge trains are used in parts of India to travel to hill stations. The Darjeeling Toy Train made its first journey in September 1881. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has acquired UNESCO’s endorsement as a World Heritage icon in 1999. The journey starts from Siliguri and at Chunamandi the train comes to its z-crossing, starting the zig-zagging or reversing in order to attain higher elevation. Sensation corners, which are nothing but loops, are excellent viewing points.
Ghoom Monastery is also known as Sakya monastery was established in the year 1875 by a Mongolian astrologer and monk.At the entry of the monastery, there is a huge giant size image of seated 'Maitreya Buddha' (prospective Buddha) inside which is 4.57 meter high. There are bells, ornate thanka scrolls and drums inside the monastery.The monastery also preserves some of the rarest Buddhist manuscripts.
Tiger Hill, situated at an altitude of 2590 metres (8482 ft.) has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains.On a clear day, Mount Everest, which is around 225 km from Tiger Hills, can also be seen.
Batasia Loop, this railway Loop is a marvellous feat of engineering. It is fascinating to watch the toy train wind its way round the loop. The War Memorial constructed in the memory of brave sons of Darjeeling who died in different wars since 1947, is worth a visit. A glorious view of snowy peak and town can be seen from this place.
The Japanese Peace Pagoda was established by Nipponzan Myohoji, a Japanese Buddhist order. Situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar Hill the pagoda can be reached by foot or on taxi. The pagoda is the highest free structure in the town. It also showcases the four avatars of the Buddha.
Sevokeswari Kali Mandir is an ancient temple that enshrines Goddess Durga in her Kali form. Adorning majestic jewels and arms equipped with sword and armory, the image of Goddess has a unique appearance in this temple. The temple is set in the backdrop of picturesque surroundings. The abundance of foliage, lush green environments and cool pleasant breeze from the Teesta River make the temple a great tourist and religious spot. One can view the majesty of the Kanchenjunga peak from the premises of the temple.
Badamtan Tea Estate was originally owned by the more than 150-years-old Lebong Tea Company. The tea estate was one of the tea company owned and managed by the British. It is located across the Rangit River.Badamtan Tea Estate is also a place en route in a hiking from Darjeeling and Glenburn. You can purchase first flush tea, which fills the estate with sweet flavor and fine aroma. One should not miss the Buddha of Badamtan, a 14-foot-high statue of Lord Buddha. Unlike the usual closed-eye position, this statue has Buddha’s eyes wide open as if looking up to gods above, having attained enlightenment.
Rock Garden, also referred to as Barbotey Rock Garden was established by the Gorkha Hill Council Tourism Department and was inaugurated by Subhash Ghising, the ex-chairman of the Council. Created by cutting rocks at different levels with terraced seating arrangements at several points, the garden is a perfect blend of natural and artificial creation. The garden is dotted with a breathtaking waterfall, fountains, rocks, flower garden, bridges and sitting spaces at different levels. A small lake also adds to the serene beauty of garden.
Tenzing & Gombu Rock: The massive Tenzing Rock is named after Tenzing Norgay, the man who climbed the Everest first time along with Edmund Hillary in 1953. Gombu Rock is named after Nawang Gombu, Tenzing’s nephew who climbed the Everest twice for the first time in the history, in 1963 and in 1965.These gigantic rocks serve as a training place for rock climbing for the students of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling. An annual rock climbing competition is organized by the Indian Army at the Tenzing Rock. It is said that an army climber climbed the Tenzing Rock in just 35 seconds in 2010.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is a unique Zoo, situated at an altitude of 2133.5 meters against the glorious background of the majestic Kanchenjunga.The zoo specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has successfully bred the Snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf and Red Panda while in captivity. Spread over an area of 44 hectares.The high altitude wild life park is home to the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, gorals (mountain goat), deer, panther, llama and a variety of endangered birds. If you are an animal lover who has always fancied adopting a fluffy panda or a Himalayan cat, this is your chance. The Zoo has embarked upon a mission to involve the community in animal welfare.
Ava Art Gallery was established in 1965 by the Late. Bhopal Rao Sett and Ava Devi. It is the only Art Gallery of its kind in the Hills. A collection of 60 pieces of art work in water, oil and thread paintings are displayed in the Gallery.
Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants is taken to be the heart of the town. Here people gather to chat, spend time basking in the sun or just to snatch a moment of peace. The Brabourne Park is attached to the Chowrasta and now features a musical fountain. This place is an open place and free from vehicular movements from where one can watch the scenic beauty of the mountain range and take charm of walking at the Darjeeling Mall. Chowrasta is the central place of the Mall Road.
It is the oldest Botanical Garden named as Lloyd Botanical Garden with varieties of flora and is famous for two living fossils.
Nightingale Park/Srubbery Park has recently been extensively redeveloped, and now comprises of a giant Statue of Lord Shiva, a temple, and provisions for live-interactive entertainment.
Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car is popularly known as the Ropeway.The Ropeway is India's oldest passenger ropeway and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar at the bottom of the valley. The present ropeway has been extensively modernized and visitors can now safely travel over the clouds to witness the aerial view of the lush green tea gardens below.
Senchal Lake is a scenic place near Tiger Hill. This place has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to Darjeeling Town.
Observatory Hill & Mahakal Temple, also known to the locals as the "Holy Hill", it is just a few minutes walk from the Chowrasta and is situated on the highest ridge of the town. The Mahakal temple atop the hill is a revered place for the locals and visitors will be surprised to find a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk sharing a common altar.
How to reach here:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 93 km from Darjeeling.
By Rail: The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri,which is at a distance of 62 km from Darjeeling. The town of Darjeeling is also approachable from Siliguri, nearly 80 km away, by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also known as Toy Train.
Best time to visit: September to June.
Languages spoken: Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, English.
Must eat: Momo, Wai-Wai, Churpee, Thukpa.
Famous Restaurants: Footsteps, Park Restaurant, Dekeva's, Kunga.
Places you must visit:
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as the 'Toy Train' is one of the main attractions of the region. The track on which the train runs is only 600 millimeters wide. The size of the train is commensurate giving it the name `Toy Train`. Narrow Gauge trains are used in parts of India to travel to hill stations. The Darjeeling Toy Train made its first journey in September 1881. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has acquired UNESCO’s endorsement as a World Heritage icon in 1999. The journey starts from Siliguri and at Chunamandi the train comes to its z-crossing, starting the zig-zagging or reversing in order to attain higher elevation. Sensation corners, which are nothing but loops, are excellent viewing points.
Ghoom Monastery is also known as Sakya monastery was established in the year 1875 by a Mongolian astrologer and monk.At the entry of the monastery, there is a huge giant size image of seated 'Maitreya Buddha' (prospective Buddha) inside which is 4.57 meter high. There are bells, ornate thanka scrolls and drums inside the monastery.The monastery also preserves some of the rarest Buddhist manuscripts.
Tiger Hill, situated at an altitude of 2590 metres (8482 ft.) has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains.On a clear day, Mount Everest, which is around 225 km from Tiger Hills, can also be seen.
Batasia Loop, this railway Loop is a marvellous feat of engineering. It is fascinating to watch the toy train wind its way round the loop. The War Memorial constructed in the memory of brave sons of Darjeeling who died in different wars since 1947, is worth a visit. A glorious view of snowy peak and town can be seen from this place.
The Japanese Peace Pagoda was established by Nipponzan Myohoji, a Japanese Buddhist order. Situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar Hill the pagoda can be reached by foot or on taxi. The pagoda is the highest free structure in the town. It also showcases the four avatars of the Buddha.
Sevokeswari Kali Mandir is an ancient temple that enshrines Goddess Durga in her Kali form. Adorning majestic jewels and arms equipped with sword and armory, the image of Goddess has a unique appearance in this temple. The temple is set in the backdrop of picturesque surroundings. The abundance of foliage, lush green environments and cool pleasant breeze from the Teesta River make the temple a great tourist and religious spot. One can view the majesty of the Kanchenjunga peak from the premises of the temple.
Badamtan Tea Estate was originally owned by the more than 150-years-old Lebong Tea Company. The tea estate was one of the tea company owned and managed by the British. It is located across the Rangit River.Badamtan Tea Estate is also a place en route in a hiking from Darjeeling and Glenburn. You can purchase first flush tea, which fills the estate with sweet flavor and fine aroma. One should not miss the Buddha of Badamtan, a 14-foot-high statue of Lord Buddha. Unlike the usual closed-eye position, this statue has Buddha’s eyes wide open as if looking up to gods above, having attained enlightenment.
Rock Garden, also referred to as Barbotey Rock Garden was established by the Gorkha Hill Council Tourism Department and was inaugurated by Subhash Ghising, the ex-chairman of the Council. Created by cutting rocks at different levels with terraced seating arrangements at several points, the garden is a perfect blend of natural and artificial creation. The garden is dotted with a breathtaking waterfall, fountains, rocks, flower garden, bridges and sitting spaces at different levels. A small lake also adds to the serene beauty of garden.
Tenzing & Gombu Rock: The massive Tenzing Rock is named after Tenzing Norgay, the man who climbed the Everest first time along with Edmund Hillary in 1953. Gombu Rock is named after Nawang Gombu, Tenzing’s nephew who climbed the Everest twice for the first time in the history, in 1963 and in 1965.These gigantic rocks serve as a training place for rock climbing for the students of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling. An annual rock climbing competition is organized by the Indian Army at the Tenzing Rock. It is said that an army climber climbed the Tenzing Rock in just 35 seconds in 2010.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is a unique Zoo, situated at an altitude of 2133.5 meters against the glorious background of the majestic Kanchenjunga.The zoo specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has successfully bred the Snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf and Red Panda while in captivity. Spread over an area of 44 hectares.The high altitude wild life park is home to the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, gorals (mountain goat), deer, panther, llama and a variety of endangered birds. If you are an animal lover who has always fancied adopting a fluffy panda or a Himalayan cat, this is your chance. The Zoo has embarked upon a mission to involve the community in animal welfare.
Ava Art Gallery was established in 1965 by the Late. Bhopal Rao Sett and Ava Devi. It is the only Art Gallery of its kind in the Hills. A collection of 60 pieces of art work in water, oil and thread paintings are displayed in the Gallery.
Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants is taken to be the heart of the town. Here people gather to chat, spend time basking in the sun or just to snatch a moment of peace. The Brabourne Park is attached to the Chowrasta and now features a musical fountain. This place is an open place and free from vehicular movements from where one can watch the scenic beauty of the mountain range and take charm of walking at the Darjeeling Mall. Chowrasta is the central place of the Mall Road.
It is the oldest Botanical Garden named as Lloyd Botanical Garden with varieties of flora and is famous for two living fossils.
Nightingale Park/Srubbery Park has recently been extensively redeveloped, and now comprises of a giant Statue of Lord Shiva, a temple, and provisions for live-interactive entertainment.
Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car is popularly known as the Ropeway.The Ropeway is India's oldest passenger ropeway and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar at the bottom of the valley. The present ropeway has been extensively modernized and visitors can now safely travel over the clouds to witness the aerial view of the lush green tea gardens below.
Senchal Lake is a scenic place near Tiger Hill. This place has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to Darjeeling Town.
Observatory Hill & Mahakal Temple, also known to the locals as the "Holy Hill", it is just a few minutes walk from the Chowrasta and is situated on the highest ridge of the town. The Mahakal temple atop the hill is a revered place for the locals and visitors will be surprised to find a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk sharing a common altar.
Dhirdham temple is modelled on the lines of the famous Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu and was built in 1939.
Happy Valley tea garden offers tourist a refreshing ambience far from the otherwise noisy town. One can soak in the ambience of the tea garden and take a walk through the carpeted garden. You can take a pony from the Chowrasta or merely walk down the hill to reach the factory.
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following the successful ascent of the Mount Everest-the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 28 May 1953. The oldest mountaineering institute in the country carries out various mountaineering courses every year. Apart from Tenzing, legendary mountaineers like Nawang Gombu(the first man to climb Everest twice) and Lattoo Dorjee Sherpa have helped build the reputation of this pioneering institute.
Step Aside is the house in which the great Indian patriot Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das passed away on June the 16th, 1925. On the first floor are preserved a few articles of his personal use. The ground floor is a maternity clinic named after him, for the poor of the town.
Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre is a ten-member committee to rehabilitate the Tibetans in exile. After His Holiness Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet, thousands of Tibetan refugees came to reside in India. Darjeeling too became a home away from home for the Tibetans in exile.
Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery (Dali Monastery) is one of the most famous monasteries belonging to the Kargyupa sect. The pioneer of this monastery was Thuksay Rimpoche, who died in 1983 and his incarnate is reported to have been born in 1986 at Ladakh. This monastery is the headquarters of Drukchen Rimpoche XII, the supreme head of the Kargyupa lineage.
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world (the first two being Mount Everest and K2), standing at an altitude of 8586 m. There are five peaks in Kanchenjunga. If you watch Kanchenjunga from the Observatory Hills, you might be deceived that the mount is a calm and serene upheaval of ice and snow.
Mirik Lake, also referred to as Samendu Lake is the most picturesque spot in Mirik.This lake is 1.25 km in length and the depth of the water varies from a minimum of 3 ft to a maximum of 26 ft. With serene surroundings, a walk around the lake would be a fascinating one.
Aloobari Gomba is a monastery where you can find Tibetan and Sikkimese monks. These monks sell religious accessories and other handicrafts.The grand monastery, in bright red and white, is a feast to the eyes. Aloobari Gomba is known as Mak Drong Gomba and is along Tenzing Norgay Road.
Bhutia Busty Gompa is a branch of the Nyingmapa sect Phontag Monastery in Sikkim. It was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879. Kanchenjunga provides a spectacular backdrop to this monastery. The monastery houses a well-stocked library, which contains many old Budhist texts. The Bhutia Busty Gompa is in the C. R. Das Road. The shrine in the Gomba is originally situated on the Observatory Hill. The ill-fated monastery was ruined by the massive earthquake in 1934; its existence is attributed to the munificence of the late Raja of Sikkim.
Sandakphu is a peak in Darjeeling. The name is derived due to the profound growth of poisonous plants around the peak. Sandakphu literally means “the height of poison plants". It is located at a height of 3636 meters.Manebhanjan is the starting place of any trekking activity to Sandakphu. From Sandakphu one can easily absorb the beautiful view of four peaks - Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Lhoste. Subalpine flowers, primulas, magnolias, rhododendrons, and hundreds of varieties of orchids blossom in this peak to capture the eyes of visitors.
Bindu Dam is situated on the Indo-Bhutan border, is one of the oldest dams in Darjeeling.The dam controls the water to the first hydroelectric project in India, Jaldhaka Hydel Project situated at Jhalong. The dam is also used as a footbridge to reach Bhutan from where one can get a magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges there.Bindu Dam is a treasure trove of many bird species as well and visited by many bird watchers.
This post is amazing. So much better and informative than other tourism website. Thanks for writing.
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