|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
| |
|
Kolkata
| Sunderbans
| Darjeeling
| Kalimpong |
| |
Area : 11.44
Sq.kms.
Altitude : 2134 Metres
Season : March to Mid June and Mid September to November
Darjeeling meaning ‘place of the dorja-thunderbolt’ (or possibly
named after dorja the mystical), and the surrounding area once
belonged to the Rajas, of Sikkim, although parts were annexed from
time to time by the Bhutanese and Nepalis.
Popularly known as the “Queen of Hill Station’s”, Darjeeling is at a
height of 2134 mts. ( 7000 ft.), surrounded by tea plantations and
offers a magnificent view of the Himalayan panorama including the
Kanchenjunga peak. Darjeeling has been a popular hill station since
the British established it as a rest and recreation centre for their
troops in the early 19th century. Indians and foreigners still come
here in drovers to escape the heat, humidity and hassle of the north
Indian plain and to expire Buddhist monasteries.
Built on the crescent shaped ridge, it faces the Himalaya; the
surrounding hills thickly covered with coniferous forests or
terraced tea gardens. The Europeans who built the houses with
commanding views originally occupied the upper reaches.
Places of interest include the Lloyd Botanical Gardens, the Natural
History Museum, Dhirdham Temple near the railway station, built
after the Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu, the Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute, displaying the priceless mountaineering
gear worn by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first person to scale Mount
Everest, along with Edumund Hillary of New Zealand, and the adjacent
Zoological park.
There’s also the Darjeeling Jangeet valley ropeway, a 2 kms long
journey between Darjeeling, with its beautiful Buddhist monastery
containing a huge gilded statue of the seated Maitereya Buddha.
A breathtakingly beautiful journey by mountain train or car or bus
will take one to Darjeeling, perched beautifully on the roof of the
world. Studded with exotic little Bazzars, lovely villas, forests
and gardens, the town itself is enveloped with the aroma of the
world famous Darjeeling tea. The best time to visit Darjeeling is
from March to mid-June and from September to mid-December.
Places of attraction :-
Batasia Loop:
A unique and marvellous feat of railway engineering of the 19th
century the Batasia loop provides a delightful view of the
‘toy’train to Darjeeling as it winds its way around the loop.
Ghoom Buddhist Monastery:
The friendly monks of the yellow Hat sect run This Tibetan Buddhist
Monastery. The monastery and a precious statue of the “coming”
Buddha. The important Yiga-Choling Gompa houses famous Buddhist
scriptures. Built in 1875 it enshrines an image of Maitreya Buddha
(Future Buddha) and the friendly monks belong to the Gelukpa order.
Happy valley tea Estate:
One of the nearest tea gardens from Darjeeling town here one can see
the processing of the world famous Darjeeling tea.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
This institute was founded in 1954 to commemorate the first conquest
of Mount Everest in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary which
provided the impetus to mountaineering as an organized sport.
Located on the western spur of the Jawahar Parbat the institute’s
building contains many interesting exhibits including a detailed
relief model of the Himalayas costumes of the Himalayan hill folk a
chronological history of the attempts to reach the peak and flags
and pennants planted on the peaks by climbing expeditions. This is
located within the zoo and boasts the Mountaineering Museum with a
collection of mountaineering equipment specimens of Himalayan flora
and fauna and a relief model of the Himalaya showing the principal
peaks. Next door the fascinating Everest Museum traces the history
of attempts on the highest peak with photographs and biographies of
all the summiteers.
Himalayan Zoological Park:
Located adjacent to the Himalayan mountaineering Institute this
Zoological Park contains high altitude wildlife such as the Siberian
Tiger, Himalayan black bear, Deer etc.
Lebong Race Course:
One of the smallest and highest racecourses in the world races are
held here during the spring and autumn seasons.
Lloyd’s Botanical Gardens:
Located just below the main Market Motor stand this garden has a
rare collection of Himalayan flora including alpine plants,
geraniums, rhododendrons, tree ferns and various conifers. Opened in
1865 the Lloyd’s Botanical Garden is also one of the oldest
Botanical garden in India.
Rangeet Valley Ropeway:
India’s first passenger ropeway a 30-minute joyride down the
mountainside by cable car is quite an experience. It is an
exhilarating ride although a little scary if windy and pointless if
the clouds or fog are thick.
The Shrubbery:
This beautiful rock garden on the Jawahar Parbat behind Raj Bhavan
was planned in 1976. A magnificent view of the Kachenjunga range and
Singla valley can be had from here.
Tiger Hill:
The highest spot in the area is Tiger Hill situated at an altitude
of 2,555 mts. above sea level; it provides an unforgettable view of
the sunrise over the mighty peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga. Tiger
Hill also the starting Point for one-day hikes through Himalayan
mountain trails. Mount Everest 225 kms away is visible on a clear
day.
Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre:
The centre with its temple school and hospital is on Gandhi Road.
After the Chinese invasion thousands of Tibetan refugees settled in
Darjeeling and the rehabilitation centre was set up in 1959 to
enable them to continue to practice their skills and provide a sales
outlet.
Others are Ava Art Gallery Bhutia Basty Monastery, Chowrasta,
Dhirdham Temple, Drukpa Kargyod (Monastery), Happy Valley Tea
Estate, Hayden Hall, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Lal Kothi,
Lebong Race Course, Observatory Hill, Lloyds Botanical Garden,
Mungpo, Natural History Museum, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological
Park, Sain’s Himalayan Art Gallery, Samtencholing Monastery, The
Shrubbery , Step-Aside, Tenzing Rock & Gombu Rock. Tibetan Refugee
Self Help Centre Tiger Hill YIGA-Choling Buddhist Monastery Ghoom. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
