DARJEELING TOWN
Darjeeling town (population 83,000 and elevation 2,134 m)
is located on a spur with houses hugging the hillside. The
place 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 panda, 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 for the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork
and leather goods; the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutia Busty,
Thupten Sangag Choling (Dali) and Yiga - Choling (Ghoom);
Batasia Loop, a marvelous feat of railway engineering; Tiger
Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Kanchenjunga and
the eastern Himalayas; Japanese Peace Pagoda, established
by the Japanese order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and Lloyd's Botanical
Garden which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora.
PARKS AND GARDENS:-
Jawhar Parbat (formerly Birds Hill) :
It was planted by a former British Governor and it is behind
the Raj Bhawan (Governor's residence), northwest of the town
square. From here you will get a magnificent view of Mount
Kanchenjunga and Singla Valleys.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park :
Located adjacent to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
It is a high altitude wild life park and a new home for
the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Deer, Deer Panda, Llama
and birds. It is open from 8 am to 4 pm.
Lloyds Botanical Garden :
Its a colourful garden situated just below the Market motor
stand. It contains a representative collection of Himalayan
plants, flowers, orchids etc. The hot houses are well worth
a visit. Timings : 6am to 5 pm. No entrance fee.
TEMPLES AND MONASTERIES:-
Ghoom Buddhist Monastery :
A typical Tibetan Monastery, situated about 8 k.m. from
the town just below Hill Cart Road and the railway station
near Ghoom. This is probably the most famous monastery in
Darjeeling. It enshrines of the Maitryee Buddha (the coming
Buddha) - 15 feet tall. Foreign tourists are allowed to
enter.
Observatory Hill :
It is situated above the Windamere hotel. There's a Kali
Shrine and apart from the magnificent view it commands,
great religious importance is attached to the Observatory
hill by both Hindus and Buddhists, who worship here by the
hundreds.
Dhirdam Temple :
Situated just below the railway station, it is built on
the style of the famous "Assumption" temple of
Kathmandu (Nepal).
Aloobari Monastery :
Nearer Darjeeling, on Tenzing Norgay Rd, this monastery
welcomes visitors and the monks often sell Tibetan and Sikkimese
handicrafts and religious objects (usually hand bells).
If the monastery is closed ask at the cottage next door
and they'll let you in.
Bhutia Busty Monastery :
Not far from Chowrasta is this colourful monastery, with
Kanchenjunga providing a spectacular backdrop. Originally
a branch of the Nygmapa sect's Phodang Monastery in Sikkim,
it was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879. The shrine here
originally stood on Observatory Hill. There's an old library
of Buddhist texts upstairs.
MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES:-
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute :
It is situated on Jawahar Parbat about 2 Km from Chowrasta.
Established in 1954, this unique institution trains mountaineers.
It has a museum containing an interesting collection of mountaineering
equipment, specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna and a relief
model of the Himalayas. The Everest Museum traces the history
of attempts on the great peak.
Natural History Museum :
Established in 1903, a comprehensive collection of Himalayan
and Bengali fauna is packed into this interesting museum.
Amongst the 4300 specimens is the estuarine crocodile, the
animal responsible for the greatest loss of human life in
Asia. It is walking distance from the chowrasta.
Step-aside :
About 3 minutes walk from the Chowrasta will bring you to
this place where the famous Indian patriot Deshbandhu Chittranjan
Das had passed away in 1925.
Ava Art Gallery :
It is about 2 km from the town on the way to Ghoom. It houses
fine art and embroidered work of Mrs. Ava Devi.
VIEWPOINTS AND OTHER SCENIC PLACES:-
Tiger Hill:
Situated at an altitude of 2590 mt. (8,482 ft.) and 11 km
from the town, the Tiger Hill has earned international fame
for the fabulous view of the Sunrise over "Kanchenjunga"
and the great Eastern Himalayan peaks that can be seen from
here. On a clear day even Mt. Everest is visible. The golden
glow of the rising Sun changes the co lour of the snow capped
peaks to crimson, pink and shining gold as one watches from
the observation desk.
Batasia Loop:
It is about 5 km from Darjeeling and 3 km from Ghoom. This
railway loop is a marvelous feet of engineering. It is delightful
to see the trains as it winds it away round the loop. It
is a pleasant and delightful descent from Ghoom - highest
railway station in the world.
The Ropeway:
The Darjeeling - Rangeet Valley Passenger Rope way is situated
at North Point which is 3 km from the town . This is the
first passenger Ropeway to be constructed in India. It is
5 km long and connects Darjeeling and Singla Bazaar. A beautiful
Picnic and Fishing spot.
Happy Valley Estate :
Here the tea from the gardens is processed. One can spent
a few hours here. Entry is only allowed to persons who have
permission from any officer of the estate.
Senchal Lake :
A scenic place near the tiger hills. This place
has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists.
The lake supplies drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.
Kanchenjunga View :
From Darjeeling one can have the best, uninterrupted view
of the worlds third highest peak. Bhanu Bhakta Sarani provides
one of the enthralling views of these snow capped peaks.
The Chowrasta also gives you a good sight to the Kanchenjunga
peak.
Snow Leopard Breeding Programme :
Nowadays the zoologists and the environmental scientists
are trying to protect the endangered species by breeding
them in captivity. Following this trend is Kiran Moktan
who has devoted his life in breeding program of snow leopards.
The snow leopards are not known to have bred in captivity
but in this center thanks to the efforts of Kiran Moktan
these animals have given birth in captivity. Snow leopards
are animals who have to be kept in large enclosures. Visitors
are allowed in the center but they have to watch the animals
in utter silence
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Museums
:
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is on the West Jawahar
road. The institute runs courses for training mountaineers
as well as has the very good collection of mountaineering
equipments which have been used in various mountaineering
expeditions and other wise. Specimens of Himalayan flora
and fauna are also kept here. The record of attempts made
to conquer Mt. Everest has been kept in the Mt. Everest
Museum. The institute also screens short films on mountaineering.
You can also view the Himalayan peaks through the Zeiss
Telescope given to the Nepalese Maharaja by Hitler. Sherpa
Tenzing Norgay was the Director of this institute for many
years and he was cremated near the institute after his death
in 1986. Near the institute is Srabri which gives a very
good view of the Single valley and the Kanchenjunga range.
One can sit at Srabri and feel the cool breeze from the
valley.
TOWNS OUTSIDE DARJEELING:
Kalimpong :
Kalimpong is within Darjeeling province and is a sub-division
of Darjeeling. It is a small but bustling town in the Himalaya
foothills of West Bengal- Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1250
meters. This bazaar town was originally a part of Bhutan but
later it was taken over by the British and finally it settled
down with West Bengal.
Kurseong :
Kurseong is mid way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way
from Darjeeling to Kurseong is generally open through out
the year. So, the toy train is not coming to Siliguri then
you can come up to Kurseong. This place is equally beautiful
and is full of natural splendor. Mirik :
Mirik is 52 kms from Siliguri and 55 kms from the nearest
Airfield of Bagdogra. Mirik is being developed as a new hill
station in the mountains. Mirik is surrounded by tea estates,
orange orchards and cardamom plantations. It has all the facilities
to fulfill the needs of a tourist.
Mirik :
Mirik is 52 kms from Siliguri and 55 kms from the nearest
Airfield of Bagdogra. Mirik is being developed as a new hill
station in the mountains. Mirik is surrounded by tea estates,
orange orchards and cardamom plantations. It has all the facilities
to fulfill the needs of a tourist.
Siliguri /New Jalpaiguri :
The twin Cities of Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the departure
point to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the North Eastern States.
Being the nodal point this place has become very busy and
crowded. This area has got population over 2.5 lakh people.
Siliguri also acts as a transit point for Nepal. This place
is not very pleasant to stay as there are always long lines
of buses and trucks. These trucks and vehicles might be good
for business but they provide very ugly sight. Tourists come
to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri mainly to change bus or catch
trains. If you have time then visit the almost forgotten wild
life sanctuary of Jaldhapara. The best season to visit this
park is between October and May. This the time when the new
grass has come up and animals are out there. The sanctuary
has elephants, dears, tigers and other animals but the main
attraction is the Rhinos which are threatened by the poachers.
Elephant Safari can be taken from Hollong.
