What memories does Darjeeling evoke? The Himalayan Railways, unique tea flavours, and Victorian-era traces may all be found in this non-elusive region of Nirvana.
Remember to pinch yourself if the view of tea estates from the windows of Toy Train’s first-class coach appears too good to be true. The thought of wanting to be there from the beginning may strike you as you see the playing kids and their parents carrying the large basket intended for gathering delicate tea leaves. Joy, after all, is highly sought after in a hill resort as historic and entertaining as Darjeeling.
At around 6710 feet, one may imagine drinking the well-known Darjeeling tea and then taking in the vistas of verdant mountains and some of the world’s highest peaks while feeling the gentle, chilly air caress exposed skin till goosebumps appear.
Driving around Darjeeling, it’s difficult to overlook the Victorian town that showcases the town’s time under British rule. The well-known boarding schools housed in this well-known hill station nevertheless retain elements of the colonial past.
However, the town does not accurately depict its past as a part of Sikkim until the British conquered it for their own reasons. Due to its history being entrenched in these regions, the hill town in West Bengal is widely recognised for its mixed ethnic population, which includes Bengalis, Nepalese, and Sikkimese. The old British era will always have an impact on how Darjeeling tourism develops.
Top Darjeeling Tourist Attractions
Mahakal Temple
The temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva but also features Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, is situated atop Observatory Hill.
Badamtam Tea Estate
A British firm that is currently owned by the Goodricke Group, which is well-known for its Darjeeling First Flush Teas, used to administer the estate. The estate is situated along the Sikkim border, between 3005 and 1830 metres.
Dhirdham Temple
Established in 1939 by King Purna Bahadur Pradhan of Nepal, the temple’s construction seems to have been influenced by the Pashipathinath Temple in Kathmandu. Lord Shiva’s third eye and five moods are depicted on the white statue.
Bhutia Busty Gompa
The area on Observatory Hills, which was once a part of Sikkim’s Phontang Monastery of the Nygpama sect, became a part of Darjeeling in 1879. The Kanchenjunga provides a breathtaking backdrop.
Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill is the hill at the top of Mall Road, which ends at Chawrasta. It is well-known for the Buddhist temples and the Mahakal temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva. This was the original site of Bhutia Busty Gompa before it was moved to its present location.
Monastery of Ghoom
Yiga Choeling Monastery, also known by another name, was constructed in the 20th century and has a 4.57-meter-tall statue of Maithreya Buddha. The location, which is 7 km from Darjeeling, is reputed to include unique manuscripts.
Tiger Hill
The hill is renowned for offering some of the most breathtaking views of Darjeeling’s surrounding landscape. People arrive at a location that is readily trekkable and take in views of some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and others.
Centre for Breeding Snow Leopards
The unique breeding facility is intended to preserve the declining populations of snow leopards, a type of feline native to the Himalayas that are adapted to the harsh climate. Since snow leopards are not known to proliferate in captivity, this is novel.
Loop Batasia & War Memorial
Travellers may find a 360-degree perspective of Darjeeling to be of great interest, and this is precisely what the expansive Batasia Loop—a 1919 railway project—offers. Just in the middle is a war memorial honouring Gorkhas who lost their lives in conflicts that broke out after 1947.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The zoo is mainly known for being one of the highest zoological parks in the world and for successfully breeding endangered Himalayan wildlife species, including the Tibetan wolf.
Entry Fee: Indians – 30rs
Foreigners- 100rs
Toy Train Ride
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Darjeeling Railways is home to this train, which provides a leisurely trip that lets riders experience the thrill of being in the middle of nature. The sound of the steam engine only serves to enhance the memories that this encounter creates.
Japanese Pagoda for Peace
The location is well-known as a tranquilly refuge and is a favourite tourist destination. It is also referred to as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple and is recognised for preaching nonviolent beliefs, which may be explained by the fact that Nichidatsu Fuji Guru was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi.
Details of Hotels in Darjeeling
When arriving in a location like this, surrounded by the breathtaking splendour of nature, every tourist feels unique. To enhance the experience, Darjeeling offers lodging options to suit any budget, whether they are travelling alone or with a group. While budget hotels will do everything to appeal to people who are seeking to make the most out of every dollar in their pockets, luxury hotels are lavish in both their services and looks.
Among the hotels in Darjeeling, the Sunflower, Dekeling, Seven Seventeen, Windamere, Shagri-La Regency, Viceroy, Mayfair, and many more are among the best that visitors may view.
The Ideal Time to Go to Darjeeling
Select any season of the year, and that will stick in your memory forever. Elderly people and those with compromised health can avoid the monsoons and winters; otherwise, any time of year is a great time to come.
How Can I Get to Darjeeling?
VIA AIR
Flights to Bagdogra, the closest airport to Darjeeling, may be taken from New Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata. Taxis are used to do the remaining 93 km of the route.
VIA RAIL
The closest train stations are Jalpaiguri (62 km), Kishanganj (114 km), and Dhupguri (147 km) from Darjeeling. The renowned hill town may be reached from Jalpaiguri by using the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways Toy Train.
VIA ROAD
Bus services are available from a few well-known towns and cities, such as Kolkata, although for longer routes—such as Delhi to Darjeeling, which is connected via Gangtok, Kalimpong, and Siliguri—it may be necessary to change once. To get to the location, one might alternatively hire a car or a cab.
You may also like:
Kasauli Hill Station: The Complete Travel Guide For Every Traveler
Kalimpong HillStation: The Ultimate Travel Guide
