Do not forget to pinch yourself if the sight of tea estates from the windows of first class coach belonging to Toy Train looks too good to be true. The playing children with their parents carrying the huge basket meant for collecting delicate tea leaves might catch fancy as the wish of being there in the first place crosses mind.
After all, joy is what is much looked for in a hill station as old and as amusing as Darjeeling. At around 6710 ft, one can dream of sipping world-famous Darjeeling tea and going on to enjoy the waves of cool breeze softly combing exposed skin until goose bumps accompanied by views of green mountains and some of the highest peaks of the world.
While on the roads to tour Darjeeling, the Victorian town is hard to miss which puts on show the period it was under British control. The colonial era is still a part of the popular boarding schools located in this renowned hill station.
But what is not exactly reflected by the town is the time when it used to be a part of Sikkim until annexed by British for their own purposes. Situated in West Bengal, the hill town is well known for mixed ethnicity including Nepalese, Bengali and Sikkimese, a result of its history been rooted in these places. British era of past will continue to influence the way Darjeeling tourism is evolving.
Tourist Attractions in Darjeeling
The game is on, the platform is set and the tour has been begun. Take the way of divine in the worship places to auspiciously initiate what is about to be a travel indelible from the memory lanes. Followed by what is more than just an inviting tale of Nature catching hold of the minds always on distraction spree, the anticipation is often rewarded by ‘more’.
Mahakal Temple
Located on Observatory Hill, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva but manifested himself along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu as well.
Dhirdham Temple
A temple founded by King of Nepal Purna Bahadur Pradhan in 1939, its architecture appears inspired from Pashipathinath Temple in Kathmandu. The white statue of Lord Shiva with five moods and third eye.
Bhutia Busty Gompa
Becoming a part of Darjeeling in 1879, the place on Observatory Hills used to be a part of Nygpama sect’s Phontang Monastery of Sikkim, with Kanchenjunga making and spectacular background.
Ghoom Monastery
Also referred to as Yiga Choeling Monastery, it was built in 20th century with a 4.57 m high statue of Maithreya Buddha. 7 Km from Darjeeling, the place is known to hold rare manuscripts.
Aloobari Gompa
Tibetan and Sikkimese monks selling religious accessories and handicraft found some 3 Km away from Darjeeling often belong this particular monastery, colored in red and white. There are several other monasteries for those who are interested in exploring.
Snow Leopard Breeding Centre
One of its kind the breeding centre is meant to conserve the dwindling numbers of felids of Himalayas that are in tune with extreme cold ecology- Snow Leopards. It is new because Snow Leopards are not known to multiply under captivity.
Shrubbery Park
Located behind the Raj Bhawan, the park came in to existence only recently overwhelming the visitors with the views of Singalila Ridge and third highest mountain Kanchenjunga.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The zoo is most famous for being among the highest zoological park in the word in addition to having successfully bred a Tibetan wolf in captivity along with some other rare species of Himalayan fauna.
Japanese Peace Pagoda
A popular tourist attraction, the place is well known as a peace sanctuary. Also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, it preaches the values of non-violence, which could be understood by the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on Nichidatsu Fuji Guru.
Badamtam Tea Estate
The estate was once managed by a British company presently owned by Goodricke Group is known for Darjeeling First Flush Teas. The location of the estate is between 3005 m to 1830 m, going to Sikkim.
Ganga Maya Park
Also referred to as Ganga Maya Park at many times, the place is recently developed to give tourist some more feel of the ambience of Darjeeling. Made out of making sensible cuts in the hill and a stream that passes through it, the garden extends to Rock Garden some 2 Km away.
Observatory Hills
The hill atop the Mall on Mall road culminating at Chawrasta is Observatory Hill, well known for the Mahakal temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and some Buddhist temples. Bhutia Busty Gompa used to be here before relocated to its current location.
Tiger Hill
The hill is well known for some of the most ravishing views of Nature of and around Darjeeling. People come to a point easily that could be easily trek to and enjoy the sight of some of the highest peaks of the earth like Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, etc.
Tenzing and Gombu Rocks
Commonly referred to as Monkey Rock but named after two individuals, viz. Tenzing Norgey and Nawang Gombu, these are located in Lebong Cart Road, often used by Himalayan Mountaineering Institute too conduct training.
Batasia Loop & War Memorial
A 360° view of Darjeeling is what might interest tourists immensely and this exactly is what they get from the massive Batasia Loop- a railway project commissioned in 1919. A war memorial dedicated to Gorkhas who gave up their lives in wars after 1947 is located just in middle.
Lloyd Botanical Garden
It came into existence in year 1878 by the efforts of William Lloyd and later developed by the Dr T Anderson. Now, one can enjoy rare species of plants brought from different parts of geography.
Toy Train Ride
A part of Darjeeling Railways- a UNESCO World Heritage, the train offers a slow-paced ride which allows the passengers to feel the exhilaration amidst Nature. The steam-engine and its sound only add to the memory this experience makes.
How to Reach Darjeeling?
By Air
From New Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata, flights could be taken to Bagdogra which acts as nearest airport to reach Darjeeling. Rest of the 93 Km of the distance is covered by taxi.
By Rail
Nearest railways station to Darjeeling are Jalpaiguri (62 Km), Kishanganj (114 Km) and Dhupguri (147 Km). From Jalpaiguri one can ride Toy Train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways to reach the famed hill town.
By Road
Bus services are taken from some of the prominent cities and town like Kolkata but for longer routes there might be a need to change once as in the case of Delhi to Darjeeling connected via Gangtok, Kalimpong and Siliguri. Cars or taxis could also be hired to reach the place.
Know about Darjeeling Travel Packages