Darjeeling
Darjeeling conjures visions of serenity, of vibrant green hills steeped in splendour, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas.
Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. The flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks
of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS.
Darjeeling - the name is derived from the Tibetian word 'Dorje' which means the precious stone or ecclesiastical sceptre, which is emblematic of the thunderbolt of Indra, and 'ling' - a place, hence the land of the thunderbolt. The sceptre of Indra is believed to have fallen at a place where now stands the Observatory Hill.
Location
Darjeeling, the Queen of Hill Stations, is set in the Siwaliks or the Lower Himalayas capped by the snow covered Kanchenjunga Peak and Mount Everest, highest peak in the world. The Location of Darjeeling is quite convenient for the tourists as it is situated to the north of Kolkata the capital city of West Bengal.
The Location of Darjeeling is at an elevation of 2134 m which is approximately 7000 ft above the sea level in the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill Region. Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and is the headquarter of the Gorkha Hill Council. Darjeeling is a district of West Bengal controlled and administered by the Gorkha Hill Council. It comprises of three major towns – Kalimpong, Kurseong on the hills and Siliguri at the foot hills of the Himalayas.
Climate
Located in the lap of the Himalayas and surrounded by snow capped mountains and fed by meandering Himalayan Rivers it enjoys a very pleasant weather condition suitable for tourist seeking change from the scorching heat of the sun in the plains. Darjeeling Weather suits all people and has worked effectively in making this hill station a virtual tourist delight.
By May end it starts raining conditions become very difficult with heavy downpours making the condition cold and dreary.
It rarely gives one a chance to go on a sight seeing and traveling becomes extremely dangerous. It is advisable to avoid the rain. During winter the temperature drops down drastically and forces even the local people to migrate to safer plains. Those who dare the weather during winter have to be really tough. Snow is rare but there are chances of landslides affecting the tour. Water scarcity is very common during winter season. Tourist traveling in Darjeeling should not forget to carry an umbrella which is a necessity. Darjeeling Weather is quite unpredictable.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Darjeeling in India is from March-May or September-November. The rains which start by May end are heavy downpours making living conditions cold and dreary. In winter there is a drastic fall in temperature from the summer's 15 to 25 degrees centigrade to 2 to 10 degrees in winter.
Tourism Attractions
No visit to Darjeeling in India is complete without a visit to Ghoom which is 6 km away from the main town. The hillock is dominated by the famous Yiga Choeling Monastery which has 15 images of the Maitreya Buddha. Belonging to the yellow hat sect, the monastery contains many ancient palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Tibetan script. The Museum of Natural History is where one can see a fine collection of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. If flora is what one enjoys, then Llyod Botanic Garden is the place of interest.
It has a marvelous collection of alpine flora and orchids. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the only center in India for the breeding of the rare snow leopard.
A kilometer from the zoo is the Darjeeling-Rangit Valley ropeway. Considered the longest in Asia, it is a thrilling ride with splendid views. If one is looking for souvenirs, then the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center. It produces excellent Tibetan crafts like carpets, wood and leather work. Established in 1959 after the Dalai Lama and his followers fled Tibet, it is a haven for ethnic Tibetan art.
Where to Stay
Hotels abound in Darjeeling in India. Besides the International Youth Hostel, there are more recently opened resorts as well. There is a hotel which boasts as the place where Jinnah met his wife whom he courted and married soon after. Many of the old villas and estates that passed into Indian hands once the British left have been converted into hotels. Hotel Shangrila which is built along the main promenade, Chowrasta, is typical of the traditional pagoda style architecture. It also houses a travel and trekking agency.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Darjeeling.
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