DARJEELING HILL STATION
What associations does Darjeeling evoke? The Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad, exotic tea flavours, remnants of the Victorian era, and more may all be found in the region of non-elusive Nirvana.
AbOut Darjeeling
Darjeeling, nestled among rolling mountains, is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular places to visit include Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and the War Memorial, and the Himalayan Zoological Park and Snow Leopard Breeding Center. What should you bring home? Tea, tea, and more tea—and beautiful local handicrafts.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad and the city's renowned tea business have made Darjeeling a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to the vast number of Buddhist residents, Darjeeling is home to numerous ancient monasteries. One of the most well-liked tourist locations in India is the Himalayas because of its vibrant vistas, tea plantations, year-round weather, and slopes.
Since Darjeeling exports the most tea, a large number of tourists flock there during the harvesting season. This time of year, one could see women picking leaves in the fields. International visitors to Darjeeling are surrounded by an aroma in the hills.
If the view of tea estates from the first-class coach on Toy Train seems too good to be true, don't forget to pinch yourself. The thought of being there in the first place may pique the interest of the playing children with their parents carrying the large basket intended for harvesting the delicate tea leaves. After all, in a hill station as historic and entertaining as Darjeeling, joy is what is most sought after.
The Victorian town, which displays the time when Darjeeling was under British administration, is unavoidable while travelling the routes to tour Darjeeling. The well-known boarding schools situated in this renowned hill resort nevertheless retain elements of the colonial era.
The town does not accurately depict the time when it was a part of Sikkim before being annexed by the British for their own interests. Due to its history being entrenched in these locations, the hill town in West Bengal is well recognised for its mixed ethnicity, which includes Sikkimese, Nepalese, and Bengalis. The past British era will continue to have an impact on how Darjeeling tourism develops.
Top Tourist Attractions in Darjeeling
The game is on, the platform is set and the tour has been begun. Take the way of divine in the worship places to auspiciously initiate what is about to be a travel indelible from the memory lanes. Followed by what is more than just an inviting tale of Nature catching hold of the minds always on distraction spree, the anticipation is often rewarded by 'more'.
1. Temple Mahakal
The temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva but also includes manifestations of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, is situated atop Observatory Hill.
2. Estate Badamtam
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A British company that is currently controlled by the Goodricke Group and is well-known for its Darjeeling First Flush teas originally oversaw the plantation. The estate is located between 3005 and 1830 metres above sea level, towards Sikkim.
3. Dhirdham Temple
A temple founded by King of Nepal Purna Bahadur Pradhan in 1939, its architecture appears inspired from Pashipathinath Temple in Kathmandu. The white statue of Lord Shiva with five moods and third eye
4. Bhutia Busty Gompa
Becoming a part of Darjeeling in 1879, the place on Observatory Hills used to be a part of Nygpama sect's Phontang Monastery of Sikkim, with Kanchenjunga making and spectacular background.
5. Ganga Maya Park
6. Observatory Hills
The hill atop the Mall on Mall road culminating at Chawrasta is Observatory Hill, well known for the Mahakal temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and some Buddhist temples. Bhutia Busty Gompa used to be here before relocated to its current location
7. Ghoom Monastery
Also referred to as Yiga Choeling Monastery, it was built in 20th century with a 4.57 m high statue of Maithreya Buddha. 7 Km from Darjeeling, the place is known to hold rare manuscripts.
8. Tiger Hill
The hill is well known for some of the most ravishing views of Nature of and around Darjeeling. People come to a point easily that could be easily trek to and enjoy the sight of some of the highest peaks of the earth like Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, etc.
9. Aloobari Gompa
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Tibetan and Sikkimese monks selling religious accessories and handicraft found some 3 Km away from Darjeeling often belong this particular monastery, colored in red and white. There are several other monasteries for those who are interested in exploring.
10. Tenzing and Gombu Rocks
Commonly referred to as Monkey Rock but named after two individuals, viz. Tenzing Norgey and Nawang Gombu, these are located in Lebong Cart Road, often used by Himalayan Mountaineering Institute too conduct training.
11. Batasia Loop
A 360° view of Darjeeling is what might interest tourists immensely and this exactly is what they get from the massive Batasia Loop- a railway project commissioned in 1919. A war memorial dedicated to Gorkhas who gave up their lives in wars after 1947 is located just in middle.
12. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The zoo is most famous for being among the highest zoological park in the word in addition to having successfully bred a Tibetan wolf in captivity along with some other rare species of Himalayan fauna.
13. Ride the Toy Train
The train offers a leisurely ride so that passengers can experience the thrill of being surrounded by nature. Darjeeling Railways is a component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sound of the steam engine and the encounter itself only serve to enhance the recollection.
14. Japanese Peace Pagoda
More Must-See Locations Around Darjeeling
The surrounding locations are as attractive as this particular hill station if a traveller desires to customise his Darjeeling trip package a little bit further.
- Siliguri
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- Bagdogra
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Here is where one goes if they wish to go white water rafting in the Teesta River while on vacation in Darjeeling. Its location serves as a launching point for visits to the surrounding hill resorts of Kalimpong and Darjeeling.
- Pelling
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Even though it is in Sikkim, this town is extremely close to the Darjeeling region, making it possible for someone with free time from their job to visit. Other sites worth visiting are Kchehepalri Lake, Sangay Waterfalls, and Buddhist temples like Sangachoeling and Pemayansgtse Monastery.
Kurseong
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Some of the famous temples in the region could be found here including Gidapahar Durga Mandir, Ambhotia Shiva Temple and Jagadish Temple. Some popular Buddhist monasteries and Nature's elements like waterfalls and surrounding lush greenery would make for a memorable trip.
Information on Hotels in Darjeeling
The sheer magnificence of nature here makes every guest feel special, and to make it even better, there are lodgings to meet all planned budgets for groups or individuals travelling to Darjeeling for vacation. The cheap hotels will do everything to appeal to people who are seeking to make the most use of every dollar in their pockets, in contrast to the deluxe ones, which are elaborate in both their services and appearances.
The greatest hotels in Darjeeling that visitors can check out include Hotel Sunflower, Dekeling Hotel, Hotel Seven Seventeen, Windamere Hotels, ShagriLa Regency, Viceroy Hotel, Mayfair Hotel, and many more.
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling
Choose any time of the year and that will be engraved on mind forever. Monsoons can be avoided by elderly as winters by individuals of fragile health; otherwise the place is ideal anytime one decides to visit.
How Can I Go to Darjeeling?
BY AIR
From New Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata, flights could be taken to Bagdogra which acts as nearest airport to reach Darjeeling. Rest of the 93 Km of the distance is covered by taxi.
BY RAIL
Nearest railways station to Darjeeling are Jalpaiguri (62 Km), Kishanganj (114 Km) and Dhupguri (147 Km). From Jalpaiguri one can ride Toy Train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways to reach the famed hill town
BY ROAD
Bus services are taken from some of the prominent cities and town like Kolkata but for longer routes there might be a need to change once as in the case of Delhi to Darjeeling connected via Gangtok, Kalimpong and Siliguri. Cars or taxis could also be hired to reach the place.
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