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DARJEELING (Darjeeling
Gorkha Hill Council) in northeast India provides the perfect
ambiance of a hill resort with its mild climate and laid back
charm. Its
verdant hills and valleys are steeped in color, and are
interspersed with vast stretches of lush green tea gardens.
Presiding over all these is the 8,586 m Mount Khangchendzonga
looming over the northern horizon, giving a magical aura to the
land that entices thousands to its environs and leaves all the
senses intoxicated.
Darjeeling is hemmed in by Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the
west and Bhutan in the east. Darjeeling town, Kalimpong and
Kurseong are the major urban centres. Heavily influenced by
British India, Darjeeling still carries imprints reminiscent of
its colonial past. The toy train is one of the most striking
examples of Darjeeling's British Raj influence.
DARJEELING TOWN
Darjeeling town (population 83,000 and elevation 2,134 m) is
located on a spur with houses hugging the hillside. The places
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 Himalaya 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 Khangchendzonga and the eastern
Himalaya; Japanese Peace Pagoda, established by the Japanese
Buddhist order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and Lloyd's Botanical Garden
which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora.
Visitors can also take a ride in the Darjeeling-Rangit valley
passenger cable car or hop on the toy train which wheezes and
winds all the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling town via Kurseong.
AROUND DARJEELING
KALIMPONG(pop.45,500) is a sleepy little town situated at an
altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of Darjeeling. It
once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalayan trade between
India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule
caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.
The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for
handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old
scriptures, and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery, the
oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Bhuddhist
temple; Parnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Durpin Dara from where
the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and
the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can be
views; Zang Dog Palri Monastery at Durpin Danda; Delo
View Point for magnificent views: and Kalimpong famous flower
nurseries.
LAVA - LOLAYGAON
Lava is situated at a height of 7200 ft. and is 101 kms from
Siliguri via Kalimpong. The beauty of this quiet and romantic
place lies in its dense forests of Berch, Pine and Juniper and
the variety of orchids. While at Lave, enjoys a day's outing to
the fascinating Chhangey Ralls (12 kms from Lava) with 2 Sunrise
points viz. Ghanti Dara and Tiffin Dara, Lava Monastery, Nature
Interpretation Centre. If you are a little adventurous you can
take a 12 km trek to Jelepa and Rachela pass situated on the
Trijuntion of Sikkim,Bengal and Bhutan.
Just 24 km from Lava, at 7012 ft, Lolengaon offers wondrous
views of the peaks of Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Kabru, Jana
Siniolchu, Kang, Talung, Kaumbhakarna, Dome, Jupuno, Narsing and
Simvo.
Rishap at 8500 ft. is a small hamlet at tri-junction of Sikkim,
West Bengal and Bhutan and it reached by a 9 km jeep able road
from Lava. You can also reach there by a 3 km trek from Lava.
Over viewing Neora Valley National Park and with spectacular 360
degree views of snow clad peaks & passes (Mt. Khangchendzonga,
Nathula, Jelepa), Rishap is a real treat for tired eyes and
souls.
KURSEONG (elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little town about 30km
to the south of Darjeeling on the way to Siliguri.
The market consists of rows of shops lining the main road which
is crisscrossed at several points by the railway tracks of the
toy train. The places to visit are Eagle's Crag which has a park
from where glorious views of Khangchendzonga on one side and the
southern plains on the other can be taken in; Dow Hill which has
the forest museum, Deer Park a water reservoir, all set amidst
moss-laden conifers; and Chimney, a serene, open meadow.
MIRIK (elevation 1,767 m) is another tiny hill resort easily
accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or Darjeeling. The
center-piece of the town is the Sumendu Lake where boating under
the serene gaze of Khangchendzonga makes for a most relaxing
pastime. Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara are two elevated points
near the lake from where the view is terrific. Apple orchards
and tea gardens are other attractions. |
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