DARJEELING- NATURE'S OWN FAIRY LAND

Have you ever been to India? A mystic land where you get a beautiful blend of diversities,adversities,love,family culture,yoga and terrorism? A land remembered earlier for it's wild life, Maharaja's,Desert,wildness and now for it's pace of development and an emerging force as world super power?Welcome to All.

North east region of India brings you to Darjeeling.A serene area full of life,diverse cultures,nature at it's best.Wanna know more?Come along and see what else we can know about Darjeeling.

Darjeeling is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of Darjeeling district in the Shivalik on the lower range of the Himalayas, at an average elevation of 2,134 m (6,982 ft) in the Darjeeling Himalayan range on the Darjeeling-Jalapahar range that originates in the south from Ghum. The range is Y-shaped with the base resting at Katapahar and Jalapahar with two arms diverging north of Observatory hill. The north-eastern arm dips suddenly and ends in the Lebong spur, while the north-western arm passes through North Point and ends in the valley near Tukver Tea Estate. Mount Kanchanjangha (8,591 m or 28,185 ft) - the world's third-highest peak - is the most prominent peak visible. In days clear of clouds, Nepal's Mount Everest (8,850 m or 29,028 ft) can be seen.The Singalila range is on the western limit of the region and separates Nepal from West Bengal.Singalia National park is situated here. The 4 highest peaks are :

Falut (3,595 m))

Sandakfu(3,630 m) - The highest point of West Bengal.

Tonglu (3,036 m)

Sabargram (3,543 m)

Two notable peaks are Tiger Hill and Sinchal.

Some notable rivers of this region are Teesta, Jaldhaka,, Balason, Mechi, Lis,Ghis, Raidak

The name "Darjeeling" is a combination of the Tibetian words Dorje ("thunderbolt") and ling ("place"), translating to "The land of the thunderbolt.". Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill town for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers. The history of Darjeeling is intertwined with that of Nepal,Bhutan,Sikkim and Bengal. Darjeeling's temperate climate has five distinct seasons: spring,summer, autumn,winter and the monsoons. .Summers (lasting from May to June) are mild, with maximum temperatures rarely crossing 25 °C (77 °F). The monsoon season from June to September is characterised by intense torrential rains often causing landslides that block Darjeeling's land access to the rest of the country. In winter temperature averages 5-7 °C (41-44 °F). Occasionally the temperatures drop below freezing but snowfalls are rare. During the monsoon and winter seasons, Darjeeling is often shrouded in mist and fog making the scenerio awsome.

The town of Darjeeling can be reached by the 80 km (50 miles) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (nicknamed the "Toy Train") from Siliguri or by the Hill Cart Road that follows the railway line. Regular bus services and hired vehicles connect Darjeeling with Siliguri and the neighbouring towns of Kurseong, Kalimppong and Gangtok. Four wheel drives including Land Rovers are the most popular means of transport, as they can easily navigate the steep slopes in the region.The nearest airport is in Bagdogra near Siliguri, located at an approximate distance of 93 km (58 miles) from Darjeeling. Indian Airlines,Jet Airways and Air Deccan are the three major carriers that connect the area to Delhi,Kolkata and Guwahati.The closest major railway station is in New Jalpaiguri,which is connected with almost all major cities of the country. Within the town, people usually traverse by walking. Residents also use Bicycle,two wheelers and hired taxis for travelling short distances.

Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways(60 cm (2 ft) narrow guage railway) a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site. The tea plantations date back to the mid 1800s as part of a British development of the area. The tea growers of the area developed distinctive hybrids of black tea and fermenting techniques, with many blends considered among the world's finest. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connecting the town with the plains was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India.

Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract students from many parts of India and neighbouring countries. In the recent years the town's fragile ecology is threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanisation.

Once you are in Darjeeling you will be taken to Tiger Hill for a breath taking view of sunrise at Mt.Kanchenjunga.Places of tourist interest in and around Darjeeling are

1.Mt.Kangchenjunga the third highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8,586 metres (28,169 feet). Kangchenjunga is the highest mountain in India and also the second highest peak in Nepal.Kangchenjunga translated means "The Five Treasures of Snows", as it contains five peaks, four of them over 8,450 metres. The treasures represent the five repositories of god, which are gold,silver,gems, grain, and holy books. Three of these five peaks (main, central, and south) are on the border of North Sikkim district of Sikkim, India and Taplejung District of Nepal, while the other two are completely in Taplejung District. Nepal is home to the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project run by the WWF in assosiation with the Nepa Mounteneering Association and HMG ,the sanctuary is also home to the Red Panda and other snow animals, birds and plants. India's side of Kangchenjunga also has a protected park area called the Kangchenjunga National Park .

The five peaks of Kangchenjunga are as follows:

Name of peak

Height (m)

Height (ft)

Kangchenjunga Main

8,586

28,169

Kangchenjunga West (Yalung Kang)

8,505

27,904

Kangchenjunga Central (Middle)

8,482

27,828

Kangchenjunga South

8,494

27,867

Kangbachen

7,903

25,925

The huge massif of Kangchenjunga is buttressed by great ridges running roughly due east to west and north to south, forming a giant 'X'. These ridges contain a host of peaks between 6,000 and 8,000 meters. On the east ridge in Sikkim, is SINIOLCHU (6,888 m/22,600 ft). The west ridge culminates in the magnificent Jannu (7,710 m/25,294 ft) with its imposing north face. To the south, clearly visible from Darjeeling, are Kabru North (7,338 m/24,075 ft), Kabru South (7,316 m/24,002 ft) and Rathong peaks (6,678 m/21,910 ft). The north ridge, after passing through the minor subpeak Kangchenjunga North (7741 m/25,397 ft), contains The Twins and Tent Peak, and runs up to the Tibetan border by the Jongsong La a 6,120 m (20,080 ft) pass.The Goecha La trek is gaining popularity amongst tourists. It goes to the Goecha La Pass which is located right in front of the huge southeast face of Kangchenjunga.

2.Kalimpong is a hill town near Darjeeling nestled in the Shivalik Hills.It is located at an average elevation of 1,247 m (4,100 feet.Kalimpong is well known for its many educational institutions. In recent times, Kalimpong has become an important tourist destination owing to its temparate climate and proximity to popular tourist locations in the region. Kalimpong is also famous for its flower market, especially the wide array of orchids.It also houses several Buddhist Monastries which hold a number of rare Tibetian Buddhist scriptures

3.Mirik is a picturesque tourist spot nestled in the serene hills of the district Darjeeling.Mirik has become a favourite tourist destination, blessed as it is of a pleasant climate, breathtaking natural beauty and easy accessibility.

Life in Mirik is slow paced yet very much alive and vibrant. It provides the perfect soothing balm to tired minds and bodies and after a few days of stay here will invigorate one with spiritual and natural energy.

The centre of all attraction is the Sumendu lake with an 80-ft long footbridge over the lake.One can take a pony ride or can boat in lake.The lake is surrounded by a beautiful garden on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge. A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is ideal for pleasant walks with the magnificent view of Kanchenjunga on the far horizon from Rameetay Dara. Boating on the quaint shikaras and pony riding are enjoyable.

Mirik is 55 km from Siliguri and around 50 km from Darjeeling and is well connected by buses and taxis from both the places. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra (55 km) and the nearest railway station at New Jalpaiguri (60 km).

4. Gangtok is the capital of the Indian State of Sikkim.It is situated in the lower Himalayas known for it's clean surroundings and temperate climate this hill station of about fifty thousand people is the centre of Sikkim's tourist industry.

The precise meaning of the name Gangtok is unclear, though it is generally held to mean "lofty hill". Gangtok is also a centre of Tibetian Buddhist culture and learning with numerous monastaries and religious educational institutions.A centre of Buddhist learning and culture, Gangtok's most famous Buddhist institutions are the Enchey Monastery, the Do-drul Chorten stupa complex and theRumtek Monastery one of Buddhism's most sacred monasteries and houses some of the world's most sacred and rare Tibetian Buddhist scriptures and religious objects in its reliquary . The Enchey monastery is the city's oldest monastery.The two-hundred year old baroque monastery houses images of gods, goddesses, and other religious artifacts. In the month of January, the Chaam, or masked dance, is performed with great fanfare.The Himalayan Zoological Park exhibits the fauna of the Himalayas in their natural habitats. The zoo features the Himalayan Black Bear,the barking Deer,the snow leopard,civet card , red pandas and the spotted dear.The Jawahar lal Nehru Botanical Gardens, near Rumtek, houses many species of Bamboo and as many as fifty different species of tree including many oaks.

Make your holiday a memorable one,Visit Darjeeling atleast once in your lifetime.