DARJELLING – THE QUEEN OF HILLS
PICKING TEA LEAVES
Dirdham Temple
Darjeeling (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in northeast India provides the perfect ambiance of a hill resort with its mild climate and laid back charm. Its verdant hills and valleys are steeped in color, and are interspersed with vast stretches of lush green tea gardens. Presiding over all these is the 8,586-m Mt. Kanchenjunga looming over the northern horizon, giving a magical aura to the land that entices to the land that entices thousands to its environs and leaves all the senses intoxicated.
Darjeeling is hemmed in by Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. Darjeeling town, Kalimpong and Kurseong are the major urban centers. Heavily influenced by British India, Darjeeling still carries imprints reminiscent of its colonial past. The toy train is one of the most striking examples of Darjeeling’s British Raj influence.
DARJEELING TOWN
Darjeeling town (population 100,000 and elevation 2.134 m) is located on a spur with houses hugging the hillside. The places to visit are Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop, a ridge lined with shops and restaurants; Mall Road, starting and finishing at Chowrasta, for a leisurely stroll amidst peaceful surroundings and splendid views; Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red pandas, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding center and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a training center for mountaineers which also houses the Everest museum; Natural History Museum, with its fine display of Himalayan wildlife; Observatory Hill which has Hindu and Buddhist Shrines; Dhirdham, a pagoda style Hindu temple; Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, a major center of r the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods; the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutia Busty. Thupten Sangan Choling (Ghoom); Batasia Loop, a marvelous feat of railway engineering; Tiger Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalaya; Japanese Peace Pagoda, established by the Japanese Buddhist order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and Lloyd’s Botanical Garden which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora.
Visitors can also take a ride in the Darjeeling-Rangit valley passenger cable car or hop on the toy train which wheezes and winds all the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling town via Kurseong.
AROUND DARJEELING
Kalimpong (pop. 50,000) is a steeply little town situated at an altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalaya trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.
The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old scriptures and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monaster, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Buddhist temple; Rarnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can viewed; Zong Dog Palri For Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda; Deolo View Point for magnificent views; and Kalimpong’s famouns flower nurseries.
Kurseong (elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little town about 30 km to the south of Darjeeling on the way to Siliguri.
The market consists of rows of shops lining the main road which is crisscrossed at several points by the railway tracks of the toy train. The places to visit are Eagle’s Crag which ahs park form where glorious views of Kanchenjunga on one side and the southern plains on the other can be taken in; Dow Hill which has the forest museum, Deer Park and a water reservoir, and set amidst moss-laden confers; and Chimney, a serene, open meadow.
Mirik (elevation 1,767 m) is another tiny hill resort easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or Darjeeling. The centerpiece of the town is the Sumendu Lake where boating under the serene gaze of Kanchenjunga makes for a most relaxing pastime. Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara are tow elevated points near the lake from where the view’s terrific. Apple orchards and tea gardens are other attractions.
PERMITS AND TRANSPORT
Foreigners visiting Darjeeling must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Darjeeling. However, necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when required.
Transport is provided by buses, four-wheel drive and smaller vehicles. Local taxis are also available for hire for getting around.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Darjeeling is a hill top town, overlooking hills and valleys below.
Access: From Kathmandu, take the one-hour flight to Bhadrapur (the nearest Nepalese airport to Darjeeling), drive to Kakarbhitta (Nepal-India border, 34 km), to Siliguri (36 km) and to Darjeeling (77 km, 2 hours 30 minutes). Darjeeling is also connected by road with Sikkim (120) km) and Bhutan (about 200 km). Darjeeling town is 90 km from Bagdogra, the nearest Indian airport, where scheduled flights operates from New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Season: March-May and September-November are the best times to visit. Bring light woolen clothing during summer (maximum temperature 16 degrees Celsius) and heavy woolens in winter (minimum 1.6 degrees).
Adventure: Trekking, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and rock climbing.
Accommodation: There are modern hotels and restaurants in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and comfortable lodges in Kurseong and Mirik.
For more information: contact Department of Tourism, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill council, Silver Fir Building. The Mall, Darjeeling – 734301, India; Tel: 91-354-54879, 54214; Fax: 91-354-54214; E-mail: dghctourism@hotmail.com; Website: www.darjeelingtourism.com
DARJEELING TOWN
Darjeeling town (population 100,000 and elevation 2.134 m) is located on a spur with houses hugging the hillside. The places to visit are Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop, a ridge lined with shops and restaurants; Mall Road, starting and finishing at Chowrasta, for a leisurely stroll amidst peaceful surroundings and splendid views; Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red pandas, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding center and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a training center for mountaineers which also houses the Everest museum; Natural History Museum, with its fine display of Himalayan wildlife; Observatory Hill which has Hindu and Buddhist Shrines; Dhirdham, a pagoda style Hindu temple; Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, a major center of r the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods; the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutia Busty. Thupten Sangan Choling (Ghoom); Batasia Loop, a marvelous feat of railway engineering; Tiger Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalaya; Japanese Peace Pagoda, established by the Japanese Buddhist order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and Lloyd’s Botanical Garden which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora.
Visitors can also take a ride in the Darjeeling-Rangit valley passenger cable car or hop on the toy train which wheezes and winds all the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling town via Kurseong.
AROUND DARJEELING
Kalimpong (pop. 50,000) is a steeply little town situated at an altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalaya trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.
The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old scriptures and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monaster, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Buddhist temple; Rarnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can viewed; Zong Dog Palri For Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda; Deolo View Point for magnificent views; and Kalimpong’s famouns flower nurseries.
Kurseong (elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little town about 30 km to the south of Darjeeling on the way to Siliguri.
The market consists of rows of shops lining the main road which is crisscrossed at several points by the railway tracks of the toy train. The places to visit are Eagle’s Crag which ahs park form where glorious views of Kanchenjunga on one side and the southern plains on the other can be taken in; Dow Hill which has the forest museum, Deer Park and a water reservoir, and set amidst moss-laden confers; and Chimney, a serene, open meadow.
Mirik (elevation 1,767 m) is another tiny hill resort easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or Darjeeling. The centerpiece of the town is the Sumendu Lake where boating under the serene gaze of Kanchenjunga makes for a most relaxing pastime. Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara are tow elevated points near the lake from where the view’s terrific. Apple orchards and tea gardens are other attractions.
PERMITS AND TRANSPORT
Foreigners visiting Darjeeling must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Darjeeling. However, necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when required.
Transport is provided by buses, four-wheel drive and smaller vehicles. Local taxis are also available for hire for getting around.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Darjeeling is a hill top town, overlooking hills and valleys below.
Access: From Kathmandu, take the one-hour flight to Bhadrapur (the nearest Nepalese airport to Darjeeling), drive to Kakarbhitta (Nepal-India border, 34 km), to Siliguri (36 km) and to Darjeeling (77 km, 2 hours 30 minutes). Darjeeling is also connected by road with Sikkim (120) km) and Bhutan (about 200 km). Darjeeling town is 90 km from Bagdogra, the nearest Indian airport, where scheduled flights operates from New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Season: March-May and September-November are the best times to visit. Bring light woolen clothing during summer (maximum temperature 16 degrees Celsius) and heavy woolens in winter (minimum 1.6 degrees).
Adventure: Trekking, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and rock climbing.
Accommodation: There are modern hotels and restaurants in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and comfortable lodges in Kurseong and Mirik.
For more information: contact Department of Tourism, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill council, Silver Fir Building. The Mall, Darjeeling – 734301, India; Tel: 91-354-54879, 54214; Fax: 91-354-54214; E-mail: dghctourism@hotmail.com; Website: www.darjeelingtourism.com
posted by Upadhyay @ 8:56 AM
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