DARJEELING(THE QUEEN OF HILLS)
Darjeeling is a town in India's West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. This is the land of the muscatel flavoured Darjeeling tea revered by connoisseurs across the globe. This is the land of the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway where the century old miniature steam engine still chugs uphill vying for space with the fast disappearing Land Rovers.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT DARJEELING:-
(1) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Darjeeling Zoo:
It was built in the memory of Tenzing Norgay who, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, climbed the Everest in 1953. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute further runs a boarding school for mountaineering students and maintains a memorial dedicated to Tenzing Norgay, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop. Located within the premises of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, which is also known as Darjeeling Zoo.
(2) TIGER HILL:
One of the major tourist attractions in Darjeeling is the Tiger Hill, which is the highest point in the region. It stands at an elevation of 2,590 meters overlooking the spur of the snow capped mountain ranges of the Eastern Himalaya. The Tiger Hill is one of the two points in India from where you can capture the entire panorama between Mount Everest and Kanchendzonga along with other peaks like the Kabru, Rathong and Kokhtang on a sunny morning. The other point from where you can have a glimpse of a similar panorama is from Phalut, at 3,600 meters approximately, which can be only reached by trekking. The Phalut trekking route from Darjeeling starts from Manebhanjan and goes through Tonglu, Giribas, Kalapokhri and Sandakphu. The Singalila National Park that falls on the trekking route is yet another attraction in and around Darjeeling. Nonetheless, the Tiger Hill is best known for the amazing view of the Kanchendzonga peak at sunrise. It is easily accessible by road and roughly takes 40-45 minutes to reach from Darjeeling town.
(3) BATASIA LOOP:
A paradise for nature lovers, the Batasia Loop is specifically known for its spiral of a narrow gauge railway track on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway where the Toy Train makes a complete loop around a wonderful circular garden. It covers an area of 50,000 square feet and is dotted with several flowering plants. It also maintains an eco garden, Gorkha War Memorial, and many restaurants and eateries. The Batasia Loop is approximately 5 kilometers away from Darjeeling town and is close to Ghoom. If you are lucky enough then on a clear sunny day, you will get a jaw breaking view of the Kanchedzonga range.
(4) DARJEELING MALL AND CHOWRASTA:
Located in the heart of Darjeeling town, the Darjeeling Mall and Chowrasta is one of the best places in Darjeeling that one cannot afford to miss on his or her trip to Darjeeling. It is a rendezvous of people from all over the world and is notable as a popular tourist hangout in Darjeeling. Besides hosting several boutique shops, restaurants and eateries… this place is just your own pick where you would love to get hold of the nature at its best. One side of the mall is thickly layered with pine forest under the shadow of the towering mountain peaks, the other side lies shops of traditional garments, handicrafts, carpets, rugs, paintings, semi-precious jewelleries and metalwares. Some of the noted shops, restaurants and eateries in the area are Habeeb Mullick & Son, Curio Corner, Nathmulls Tea & Sunset Lounge, Golden Tips, Life & Leaf, Jolly arts and Bhutan Tibet Art Shop. The Hawa Ghar and the huge golden color statue of the Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya are the two major attractions in Chowrasta. The Bhutia Market, which is close to Chowrasta is another attraction for shopaholics.
(5) ROCK GARDEN AND GANGA MAYA PARK:
Both these places around Darjeeling town are haven for botanists. The Rock Garden, which is approximately 10 kilometers from Darjeeling town, is set with picturesque and colourful terraced gardens dotted with highly diversified flowering plants… blazing the rocks and cliffs at different levels. The Chunnu Summer Falls is another additional feature that makes the park more scenic. On the other hand, 3 kilometers ahead is the Ganga Maya Park, which is another nature park with a narrow gushing stream flowing through it. The park also hosts gardens dotted with varied species of colourful flowers and a lake. Tourists can also enjoy Gorkha folk dance at Ganga Maya Park.
(6) DARJEELING ROPEWAY:
With alL the natural element in just one view, the Darjeeling Ropeway, which is also known as the Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car, offers a refreshing getaway. From the ropeway you can enjoy the spectacular view of the valley below that is bedded with lush green tea gardens and dense forest and cut by several small gushing streams. It is one of the best tourist spots in Darjeeling where one can spend some ideal hours in the tea estate and enjoy a nature walk.
(7) JAPANESE TEMPLE AND PEACE PAGODA:
A fine example of traditional Japanese style architectural, the Japanese Temple is one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Darjeeling that was inaugurated in the year 1972. It is a two storied white building that maintains a large prayer room where the chief priest offers the prayers, beating a huge drum (also known as Ho-ko) that reverberates to build up a solemn atmosphere in the entire temple premises. The temple further hosts a picture of the founder Fujii Guruji and a model of Lord Buddha. Close to the Japanese Temple is the Peace Pagoda, which is a monument to inspire peace, designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace. It was inaugurated in the year 1992 and houses four avatars of Lord Buddha. From the top of the Pagoda, you get a panoramic view of the landscape of Darjeeling including the Kanchenjunga range. The Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda are the two most sought tourist spots in Darjeeling that you can’t miss on your Darjeeling trip.
(8) GHOOM MONESTERY:
The largest monastery in Ghoom, which was built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso and belongs to the Gelug sect, the Ghoom Monastery is one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage places in Darjeeling district. It is approximately 8 kilometers from Darjeeling town. Besides the prayer hall, the monastery houses a 15 feet high statue of “Maitreya Buddha”, images of Buddha’s disciples, and many Buddhist texts.
(9) SAMTEN CHOLING MONESTERYAND YIGA CHOELING MONESTERY:
Samten Choling Monastery is approximately 7 kilometers away from Darjeeling town and belongs to the Gelupka sect of Buddhists. It is crafted with a huge square arched gate and the exterior of the monastery maintains a white body and golden top in the typical Tibetan architectural style. The major attraction is the 26 foot model of Lord Buddha. It also houses a huge collection of Buddhist books and manuscripts. Inside the premises you will find a small café where you can have tea or coffee and light snacks. It is also the residence of several monks belonging to yellow hat sect. Tourists are requested not to confuse Samten monastery with Yiga Choeling monastery, which is the original Ghoom Monastery, was built in the year 1850
(10) DHR SUKNA MUSEUM:
It is the third of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway museums located at Sukna station. The second is located at the Kurseong Station. It has a nice collection of original photographs related to Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
(11) DARJEELING TEA GARDEN:
You wake up and sip a cup of finest aromatic tea that was plucked fresh from the gardens, a brand that has made a great name for itself in the world. You take a stroll through the garden, talk to the garden workers and see how they deftly pluck the two leaves with a bud, and learn about their lives. You are also invited to take a look and learn about the tea processing in the factory where some of the best teas in the world are withered, rolled, dried, sorted and packaged. A jeep takes you to the nearby attractions and places of interest for you to soak in the nature. Later you take a walk through the villages and nature trails, and get deeper insight into the lives of the people living in the mountains. In the evening, you are entertained with local cultural dance.
WATCH DARJEELING BEAUTY VIDEO:
WATCH VIDEO OF DARJEELING HIMALAYAS.
