Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a town and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Lesser Himalayas at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042.2 m). It is noted for its tea industry, the spectacular views of Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. It is also a popular tourist destination in India.
The recorded history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the colonial administration under the British Raj set up a sanatorium and a military depot in the region. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognised and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has some of the few steam locomotives still in service in India.
Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract pupils from India and neighbouring countries. The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu consisting of Nepali, Sherpas, Lepcha and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. Darjeeling, alongside its neighbouring town of Kalimpong, was the centre of the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s. The town's fragile ecology has been threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanisation.
Darjeeling is a town and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Lesser Himalayas at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042.2 m). It is noted for its tea industry, the spectacular views of Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. It is also a popular tourist destination in India.
The recorded history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the colonial administration under the British Raj set up a sanatorium and a military depot in the region. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognised and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has some of the few steam locomotives still in service in India.
Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract pupils from India and neighbouring countries. The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu consisting of Nepali, Sherpas, Lepcha and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. Darjeeling, alongside its neighbouring town of Kalimpong, was the centre of the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s. The town's fragile ecology has been threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanisation.
Botanical Garden
It is the oldest Botanical Garden named as Lloyd Botanical Garden with varieties of flora and is famous for two living fossils. It is located just below the Eden Sanatorium(Saheed Durga Mall District Hospital) on an open slope covering an area of about 40 acres. Lloyd Botanical Garden is open seven days a week. There are no entrance fees. A camera, a small note book for a botany enthusiast and a couple of hours to spare, is a must. |
Nightingale Park/Srubbery Park
It is about 2-5 kms from Darjeeling Railway Station and walkable from the Chowrasta. It is a beautiful park with a package of cultural programmes performed daily during the tourist season and its opening time is 4.00 p.m. and closing time is 8.00 p.m. The park has recently been extensively re-developed, and now comprises of a giant Statue of Lord Shiva, a temple, and provisions for live-interactive entertainment. The best time to visit the park is in the evenings. Entrance fee is charged and nominal charges for photography may also be required to be made by the visitor. |
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following the successful ascent of the Mount Everest-the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir EdEdumund Hillary on 28 May 1953. The oldest mountaineering institute in the country carries out various mountaineering courses every year. Apart from Tenzing, legendary mountaineers like Nawang Gombu(the first man to climb Everest twice) and Lattoo Dorjee Sherpa have helped build the reputation of this pioneering institute. The institute is presently under the purview of the Minstry of Defence, Government of India and its museum is worth a visit. Website of HMI Step Aside
On the way down to Bhutia Busty, via the C.R. Das Road, and a few minutes walk from the Chowrasta is Step Aside, the house in which the great Indian patriot Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das passed away on June the 16th, 1925. On the first floor are preserved a few articles of his personal use. The ground floor is a maternity clinic named after him, for the poor of the town. No entrance fees of any kind are charged. However, visitors are not allowed into the inner sanctum of the house. |
Raj Bhawan
Raj Bhawan is the summer residence of the Governor of West Bengal. The fantastically developed mansion with perfect manicured lawns, lush gardens, surrounding forests and British Bungalows overlooks the Darjeeling Lebong spur and commands a magnificent close-up view of the snow capped Kanchanjunga Range. Being a high security zone, visitors are no longer allowed to venture inside its precinct, a walk around it through the dense forest is however, most charming. Visitors can experience the entire Sikkim-Jorethang crest unhindered. [The Raj Bhawan was earlier the property of the Maharajah of Coochbehar and the present 'Shrubbery Park' was the 'courtyard' of Sir Thomas Tartan's bunglow which was called 'The Shrubbery'. This bunglow had been constructed in 1879; however it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1934.] Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre
"Our way may be hard and long one, but I believe that the truth and faith must ultimately prevail".- His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After His Holiness escaped from Tibet, thousands of Tibetan refugees came to reside in India. Darjeeling too became a home away from home for the Tibetans in exile. To rehabilitate the community a ten-member committee was formed in Darjeeling to organize a rehabilitation centre which was known as "Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre". The centre was established on October 1, 1959 and the residents of the centre are today known for their handicrafts. The centre makes excellent carpets, woolen goods, woodwork, etc, which are famous across the globe. |
Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Centre,Roy Villa,Darjeeling
This branch centre of the Ramakrishna Mission has been started at ‘Roy Villa’ in Darjeeling where Sister Nivedita stayed during her last days and passed away on 13 October 1911.
In the year of 1954, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute also started in this building. It stands here up to 1957. Our Honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, handed over the 'Roy Villa' on 16 May 2013. Honourable Minister of North Bengal Development Department Sri Goutam Dev handed over the key of the Roy Villa on 10th July 2013 to Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Center, Darjeeling a branch center of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math to start & build up a Centre of exielience of its own.
Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Centre
Roy Villa, Lebong Cart Road ,Near Tenzing Rock, PO North Point
Darjeeling, West Bengal 734104, India
Phone : 0354-2270777
Email : rkmdarjeeling[at]gmail.com,rkmnecc[at]gmail[dot]com
Website: Roy Villa, www[dot]rkmdarjeeling[dot]org
This branch centre of the Ramakrishna Mission has been started at ‘Roy Villa’ in Darjeeling where Sister Nivedita stayed during her last days and passed away on 13 October 1911.
In the year of 1954, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute also started in this building. It stands here up to 1957. Our Honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, handed over the 'Roy Villa' on 16 May 2013. Honourable Minister of North Bengal Development Department Sri Goutam Dev handed over the key of the Roy Villa on 10th July 2013 to Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Center, Darjeeling a branch center of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math to start & build up a Centre of exielience of its own.
Ramakrishna Mission Nivedita Educational and Cultural Centre
Roy Villa, Lebong Cart Road ,Near Tenzing Rock, PO North Point
Darjeeling, West Bengal 734104, India
Phone : 0354-2270777
Email : rkmdarjeeling[at]gmail.com,rkmnecc[at]gmail[dot]com
Website: Roy Villa, www[dot]rkmdarjeeling[dot]org
Monasteries of Darjeeling