Darjeeling
Place : Darjeeling District,
West Bengal
Altitude : 7000 ft (2100 m) above sea level
Temperature : Receives plentiful of rain and has a wide range of
climates, from tropical to sub-alpine
Significance : Famous for its fine tea and splendid views of the snowcapped Himalayas
and of the Kanchenjunga Peak
Best Season : April to Mid-June, Mid September to November ( October
to May)
 In
the foothills of the Himalayas, overlooked by the white peaks of Kanchenjunga,
'Darjeeling' has been a popular hill station since the British established
it in the mid 19th century. Located in the northern extreme of the Indian state
of West Bengal in Darjeeling district, the exotic town lies just east of Nepal,
south of Sikkim, and a bit west and south of Bhutan. The town, also the headquarters
of Darjeeling district is situated 305 miles north of Kolkata and is perched
on the narrow Ghoom Senchal Ridge at an altitude of (7000ft), and descends
abruptly to the bed of the Great Rangit River. The hill station presents the
most spectacular views of the snow capped Himalayan peaks including Mt.Everest
and Kanchenjunga.
The name Darjeeling is derived
from the Tibetan word ' Dorje Ling' (Place of the thunderbolt). According to
legend, Darjeeling was struck by a mystic thunderbolt of the Lamaist religion,
said to be the scepter of Indra, Lord of the Gods, which supposedly fell on
the site known as the observatory hill. In Sanskrit, the word 'Durjay Ling',
means 'Siva of invincible prowess, who rules the Himalayas'. Until the beginning
of the eighteenth century, Darjeeling belonged to the Rajas of Sikkim, who lost
their domain to invading tribes of Gurkhas from Nepal in 1780.
In 1828, two British officers Captain G.W.A.Lloyd and Mr. J.W Grant stumbled
on this remote Shangri-La and realized its potential as a strategic link with
Nepal and Tibet, as well as a hill station sanitarium. On the direction of the
then Governor General, Captain Lloyd negotiated with the Raja Of Sikkim and
in February 1835, Darjeeling was presented to the East India Company. It became
a popular resort for the British who wanted to escape from the sweltering heat
of the plains.
Orange and Cardamom are two cash crops of this district. Darjeeling peaks has
steeply sloping conifer forests and terraced tea plantations surrounded by around
4,000 types of flowering plants and 300 varieties of ferns, including the rare
tree fern. Darjeeling tea is famous throughout the world. During April
- May, Magnolia and Rhododendron flowers magnifies the charm of the valley. The
town is occupied by people from all over the eastern Himalayas who have come
to work or trade as well as Tibetan refugees. This fascinating place also has
a number of Buddhist monasteries and a considerable presence of visiting Buddhist
monks and Tibetan scholars.
Darjeeling has the unique
attraction for its "Toy Train" whic h
UNESCO recognizes as a World Heritage Railway. This famous narrow gauge steam
railway makes its way from Siliguri -Kurseong in the plains up to Ghoom and
Darjeeling in the hills. Its slow speed (six to seven hours to cover a distance
of 82 kms) gives you enough time to watch and appreciate the beauty which nature
has provided. This train passes through the forests, roaring rivers, over deep
valleys and through mountains and tunnels. Darjeeling is also a trekkers paradise
and the Gorkha hill council has provided ample trekking facilities for the adventure
loving people.
Kanchenjunga
 Located
in the Himalayas, Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain peak in the world.
One of the most beautiful peaks it presents spectacular views from various spots
in Darjeeling. The best uninterrupted views are to be had from Bhan Bhakta Sarani.
Chowrastha or the mall is the heart
of the town. In the local dialect, Chowrastha means the place where four roads
meet. Mall road ascends to a hill lined with shops and there is a huge flat
platform surrounded by benches for people to sit and watch the Kanchenjunga
standing with all its might. A walk along the Mall Road provides a beautiful
view of the surrounding hills with rhododendrons in bloom during season.
 Observatory
Hill (Mahakal Baba Ko Sthan)
A few minutes walk from the Mall
Road leads to the Observatory Hill offering a magnificent view point for the
twin peaks of Kanchenjunga. The sacred Mahakal temple is situated here. Mahakal
is considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Adjacent to Mahakal temple is
a Buddhist Shrine. This view point is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists and
the Hill is thronged by worshippers throughout the year.
Tiger hill and Senchal Lake
 Tiger
Hill, about 11km from Darjeeling at 8,515 feet is famous for its spectacular
views at sunrise. The gold and orange vision of the peaks on the horizon is
worth watching. From Tiger Hill, the top of Mount Everest is visible, peeping
out through two other peaks Makalu and Kanchenjunga standing by its side. The
peak that looks highest is that of Makalu. The trip to the summit of the hill
is through Ghoom(7407 ft), the highest railway station on the Darjeeling Hill
Railway. Situated close to the Tiger hill, the Senchal lake at 8031ft.supplies
Darjeeling with its domestic water. It is particularly a scenic area and popular
as a picnic spot.
Bhutia Busty Gompa
This colourful monastery, located
near Chowrasta, originally was a branch of the Nyingmap sect's Phodang Monastery
in Sikkim. It was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879. The shrine here originally
stood on Observatory Hill. The Gompa also has a library of Buddhist Texts which
has a copy of the Tibetan 'Book of the Dead'.
Ghoom Gompa
 The
Ghoom Gompa or Yogachoeling Gompa is the largest and most famous monastery located
8km south of Darjeeling Town, just below Hill Cart Road and the railway
station near Ghoom. It was established in 1875 by a Mongolian astrologer-monk
and contains a giant seated image of 'Maitreya Buddha' surrounded by sticks
of incense, bells, drums and ornate thanka scrolls. Foreigners are allowed
to enter the shrine and take photographs. A small donation is customary and
the monks are very friendly.
Other Gompas
There are three other gompas in
Ghoom, the very large but relatively uninteresting Samdenchoeling, the nearby
and smaller Sakyachoeling and the Phin Sotholing. Nearer Darjeeling, on Tenzing
Norgay Road, there is the Aloobari Monastery. The monks sell Tibetan and Sikkimese
handicrafts and religious objects here. There is a cottage next door for enquiries.
Halfway between Ghoom and Darjeeling is the Thupten Sangachoeling Gompa at Dali.
Westerners interested in Tibetan Buddhism can study here.
Dhirdham Temple
The Hindu temple in Darjeeling
was erected by Dhir Shamsher Rana of Nepal. Situated below the railway station,
the shrine is modelled on the famous Oashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu
 Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
and Museums (HMI)
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
located on the West Jawahar Rd, was established after the conquest of Mt. Everest
by Hillary and Tenzing. Tenzing Norgay was the Director of the institute for
many years and after his death in 1986, was cremated near here. The institute
conducts preliminary course on Rock climbing on Tenzing Rock and Gombu Rocks
which is situated at Lebong Cart Road. Short films on mountaineering is also
screened here. The mountaineering museum here contains a collection of mountaineering
equipments including the ones that were used on that historic Tenzing Hillary
climbs; specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna and relief model of the Himalaya.
The Everest Museum next door traces the history of attempts on the great peak.
Open daily 9am to 5pm. Near by, there is an interesting well manicured
cemetery of former Raj residents.
Himalayan Zoological Park
The Himalayan Zoological
Park (2km from the town) next to the Mountaineering Institute is the only center
in India for the captive breeding of Snow Leopards. The Park houses a wide variety
of animals and birds some of which are Siberian tigers, Himalayan black bears,
Yaks, Red Pandas and the Llama of the Andes. Open daily from 8am to 4pm.
Tibetan Refugee Self Help
Center
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center
was established for the refugees who had fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama after
the Chinese invasion. Developed in 1959, this center is a workshop for the manufacture
of handicrafts such as carpets, woolens, woodcarvings and leather work. These
products and a variety of Tibetan Curios are on sale and the sale proceeds are
shared by the Tibetan workers here. The center which has established itself
in the International scenario as a place for hard work, self esteem and truth
is very popular among the tourists.
Lloyd's Botanical Gardens
 The
botanical garden near the market was laid out in 1865 by Mr.W. Lloyd. It has
an exotic and exclusive collection of a variety of Himalayan plants, flowers
and orchids. There are beautiful orchid hothouses containing over thousands
of species, Alpine flora including azaleas and rhododendrons, magnolias and
a representative collection of the flora of the Sikkim Himalayas. The herbarium
has rare botanical specimens. Closed Sunday and bank holidays. Open 6an to 5pm.The
Victoria Falls is a half an hour impressive walk from the gardens.
Lebong Race Course
The Lebong Race Course, one of
the world's smallest and highest race courses, was laid out in 1885 as
a parade ground. Situated at a distance of about 8 km from the main town, the
complete lap of the race course is only 480 yards long. It is pleasant
for walks.
Tea Gardens
 Darjeeling
is one of the world's most famous tea growing centers. Here plantations were
started in 1840's. The hill station is dotted with more than 70 tea plantations.
Some of the well known tea estates are Thurbo, Margarets Hope, Castleton, Badamtam
with a 14ft. bronze statue of the Buddha. The garden closest to Darjeeling is
the Happy Valley Tea Estate. Here one can see the processing of the world famous
Darjeeling tea. Open 8 am to 12am and 13 am to 16.30. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger
Ropeway
Located at North Point about 3 km from the town, the ropeway covers a distance
of 8kms in 45minutes and connects the North point (7000 ft) to the Singla Bazaar
(800 ft). This was the first ropeway in India. The seats in the rope way is
limited and it is better to get the tickets in advance. Timings 8am to 3.30pm.
Singhalila National Park and
treks
Located about 20km from Darjeeling
is Singhalila, the highest National Park in West Bengal. Click
here for more details
How to get there
Air: The nearest airport
is 74 km (3 1/2 hrs) away at Bagdogra, a town on the plains near Siliguri. It
is the airport for Darjeeling hill areas and has direct air connections with
New Delhi, Kolkata (45 minutes flight duration) and Guwahati.
Rail: You can take the
famous toy train, which is a meter gauge train operating over breath taking
scenery. The journey takes approximately seven and half hours. Nearest railhead
is New Jalpiguir Junction ( 75 km / 3 1/2 hrs) and Siliguri both of these railway
stations have direct railway connections with Kolkata ( Darjeeling mail, Kamroop
Express, New Jalpaiguri, Teesta Torsa), Delhi (Rajdhani Express), Mumbai, Guwahati
(Assam Mail), Lucknow, Chennai (Howrah Mail) and other major cities of India.
Road : Darjeeling is connected
to Siliguri the main city in the plains by the Tenzing Norgay Road (formerly
Hill Cart Road). The distance from Darjeeling to other places :Kolkata
(665 km), Guwahati (513 km) and Siliguri (80 km- 4hrs.drive). There are frequent
bus services between Darjeeling and Siliguri. Private taxis, land rovers are
also available.
Sanatorium, Mall, Observatory
Hill,Mahakaal Temple, Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, Lloyd Botanical
Garden, Darjeeling Zoo, Natural History Museum, Race Course and Tiger Hill.
Tourist Offices to Contact
Places to stay
Darjeeling offers a wide range
of hotels, many with breathtaking mountain and valley views and which suits
all budgets. Prices varies according to season
-
Windamere Hotel
Observatory Hill
Darjeeling -734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 37 rooms, other facilities are library, bar, garden, miniature
golf course, badminton court, multi-cusine etc.
Ph: 0354-2254041-42; Fax : 0354 - 2254043, 2254211
E-Mail : Email
1
-
New Elgin
18 HD Lama Road
Facilities : 25 rooms, other facilities are library, piano etc
Ph: 0354-225408,2257226-27;
Fax : 0354 - 2254267
E-Mail : Email
-
Hotel Sinclairs
18/1 Gandhi Road
Darjeeling -744101
West Bengal
Facilities : 3 Star, 48 rooms, Cuisine : Indian, Chinese, Continental
modern set up with a sun deck, a children's playing room, library etc
Phone : 0354 - 2256431/ 432/ 949;
Fax : 0354 - 2254355
E-Mail :
Email
-
Hotel Mohit
H.D. Lama Road (Mount Pleasant Road)
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 3 Star (Government Approved) with 30 rooms. Other facilities
are Colour TV with Satellite Channels, Running H/C Water, Direct Dialing
Telephones with STD, Message on call, Cuisine: Indian, Chinese, Continental,
Tandoori, Local etc.
Ph :91-354-2254723, 2254818, 2254706,9933033750
Fax : 0354 - 2254351, 2255327,
E-Mail : Email
-
Fortune Resort Central
Robertson Road
Darjeeling:734101
West Bengal
Facilities : Heritage (Government Approved) , 45 rooms, other facilities
are H/C running water, Telephone, Fax, CCTV, Indoor games , Cuisine
: Indian, Chinese, Continental etc
Ph: 0354 - 2258721 /22 /23, Fax : 0354 - 2258720,
E-Mail :
Email
-
Hotel Apsara
61, Ladenla Road
Darjeeling-734 101
West Bengal
Facilities :Government Approved, 34 with facilities are H/C running water,
STD/ISD, Colour TV and CCTV
Ph: 0354 - 2252242, 2252983, 2256285, 2254486,Fax : 0354 - 2254484,
E-Mail :
Email
-
Hotel Garuda
64, Ladenla Road
P. Box 70
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Ph: 0354 - 2254563, Fax : 0354 - 2256110,
E-Mail : Email
-
Hotel Lunar
51, Gandhi Road
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 10rooms,Cuisine : Vegetarian - Indian, South Indian,
Gujarati, Chinese, Tandoor
Ph: 0354 - 2254194, 2254195,Fax : 0354 - 2257013,
E-Mail :
Email
-
Hotel North Star
11-H.D., Lama Road
Darjeeling -734107
West Bengal
Facilities : 3 Star (Government Approved) with 21 rooms .Cuisine
: Indian, Chinese, Continental
Phone : 0354 - 2253938, 2254499,Fax : 0354 - 2254499,
E-Mail : Email
-
Hotel Seven Seventeen
H.D. Lama Road
Darjeeling :734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 3 Star (Government Approved) with 36 rooms. Other facilities
are Safe deposit, Room heater, Bar, Colour T.V with Cable TV. Cuisine
: Indian, Chinese, Continental, Tandoori, Tibetan, Nepali etc.
Ph : 0354 - 2255099, 2252017,
Fax : 0354 - 2254717,
E-Mail : Email
- Hotel Shambu
73, Gandhi Road
Darjeeling-734 101
West Bengal
Facilities : Government Approved with 18 rooms. Other facilities are Room
heater, Telephone, Multi channel CTV, Cuisine : Indian, Chinese, Tandoori,
Vegetarian)
Ph:0354 - 2254926, 2253297, 0353 - 2431608, 2535675
E-Mail :
Email 1
- Hotel Sunflower
5C, Chowrasta Road,
The Mall
Darjeeling:734 101
West Bengal
Facilities : 14 rooms with facilities Room service, Telephone,
T.V., Safe deposit, Channel music, In house generator, Lockers, Car parking,
Heaters in rooms, Cuisine : Indian, Chinese, Continental (Purely
Vegetarian)
Ph: 0354 - 2254391, 2253358, Fax : 0354 - 2253358,
E-Mail : Email
1
-
Pinridge Hotel
The Mall, Chowrasta
Darjeeling-734101
West Bengal
Facilities : 36 rooms. Other facilities
are Telephone in room, Travel Counter with Jet & Nepal Air Booking Lawns
& Gardens, Library, Open fire places in all rooms
Ph: 0354 - 2254074, 2253909,
Fax : 0354 - 2253912,
E-Mail : Email
1
-
Sterling Resorts
B-1,Mouza Jarul Hatta
P.O.Ghoom Jore Bungalow,
Darjeeling -734102
West Bengal
Facilities : Government Approved. 103 Rooms. Other facilities
are Telephone, Fax, C.C.T.V. Banquet and Conference facilities, Table tennis,
Discotheque, Evening entertainment, Adventure sports , Multi-cuisine
Ph: 0354 -2274365, 2274215,
Fax : 0354 - 2274365
E-Mail : Email
|
|
