Darjeeling

Darjeeling is one of the most scenic and hugely popular hill resorts in India. Situated at a height of 2134 meters above mean sea level, Darjeeling lies 686 km from Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. Nestled among the backdrop of the mighty snow clad Himalayan peaks, Darjeeling has been a popular with tourists for its beauty and salubrious climate. One can get a clear view of the world’s third highest peak, Kanchenjunga, from the town on a sunny day.

 

It is also home to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a World Heritage Site. Tourists can enjoy leisurely walks through the town’s quaint streets, watching the laidback life of the local residents. Darjeeling offers a plethora of options for those seeking an adrenalin rush. Visit the Singalila National Park to catch a glimpse of the red panda, rhodendron blooms or for some high altitude trekking. The park is a camper's delight as it is largely free of vicious animals and snakes, making it the most popular family camping destination in the eastern Himalaya. Mountain biking, outdoor camping, river rafting, canoeing and kayaking. If nothing interests you, then just hang up your boots and unwind soaking in the scenic beauty of the hill town.

 

History

The name Darjeeling is derived from 'dorje' meaning 'thunderbolt' and 'ling' meaning 'place'. The district was the part of Sikkim up to the beginning of the 18th century. Disputes over borders led to the intervention of the British East India Company. The British found Darjeeling suitable for setting up a sanatorium. The Chogyal of Sikkim granted the areas in and around present day Darjeeling to British in February, 1835. In 1839, Darjeeling was connected to the plains by a road. Dr. Arthur Campbell of the Bengal Medical Service experimented with tea seeds in his garden at Beechwood. The first commercial tea gardens were planted at tea Tukvar, Steinthal and Aloobari in 1852. Tea, being a labour-intensive enterprise, required sufficient numbers of workers. For this, employment was offered to people from across the border of Nepal. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, considered as an engineering wonder was built between 1879 and 1881. DHR was inscribed as World Heritage Area (WHA) in 1999. It is the first Hill Railway in India and the second in the world to get the prestigious status.

CULTURE

Apart from the major Hindu religious festivals like Diwali, Dussera, Holi, Ram Navami, etc., several festivals of the different ethnic communities are also celebrated. The Tibetan ethnic groups like the Lepchas, Bhutias, Gurungs, and Tamangs celebrate New Year called Lochar in January/February, Maghe Sankranti, Chotrul Duchen, Buddha Jayanti, and Tendong Lho Rumfaat.

 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit this hill station is from March to May and from September to December. The rains which start by May end are heavy downpours making living conditions cold and dreary and should be avoided as they frequently cause landslides.