1. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
On May 29, 1953, just before the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II of Great Britain, subjects from two of the Commonwealth
nations gave her a coronation gift -- conquest of the virgin peak of
the invincible Mt. Everest which had claimed so many a gallant life.
The 29,028 foot peak was scaled for the first time by Sir Edmund
Hillary and his Sherpa guide - Tenzing Norgay. Edmund Hillary was knighted by the Queen.
In free India a grateful nation built the gallant
Sherpa, an institute where he could impart his skill to other
enthusiasts who climb mountains. With Everest, Norgay had climbed higher than any man in the world.
The foundation stone of this institute in Birch Hill Park, which is open
to train climbers from all over the world and promotes the cause,
both as a science and a sports was laid by the late Prime Minister
Nehru on November 4, 1954. The institute museum displays the
equipment used in the victorious attempt; besides a rich collection
of Himalayan flora and fauna.
Adjacent, approximately, is the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan
Zoological Park, stocked with high altitude wild life -- the Siberian
Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Pandas, Deer and Leopards etc.
These can be seen roaming in their natural habitat.
2. Natural History Museum
Within the same circle is the Museum of Natural
History containing a representative and comprehensive collection
of the fauna of the region. The specimens are displayed in true to
life attitudes of all birds species, reptiles and animals found in the
different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly and
beetle section merit special mention.
3. Step Aside
A short distance away from the Chaurastha, on the way to the
Bhutia Bustee Monastery is the house 'Step Aside', home of the
famous Indian patriot Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das where he lived
and died on June 16, 1925. The first floor is preserved as the way
he left it, the ground floor is a maternity clinic. Also reposing in the
house is the unfolded secret of the second Kumar of Bhowal of the
"Bhowal Sanyasi" case. The Kumar was discovered dead in this
house by a sanyasi (holyman) and cremated at the Hindu Burning
Ghats. Twelve years later, on the anniversary of his death, the
Kumar appeared in Dacca and laid claim to his estate. Who died in
"Step Aside?" Who was cremated? The house alone can tell.
4. Sister Nivedita Memorial
Where the mortal remains of Sister Nivedita were cremated,
stands the dignified memorial erected by Swami Abhenyanand of
the Sri Ramakrishna Vedanta Math. A direct disciple of Sri
Ramakrishna, he also built the Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashram in
1924 where religious discourses are held every Sunday. It is situated
just below the Railway Station on the way to the Victoria Falls.
5. The Lebong Race Track
Unpretentiously, it boasts of being the smallest and the highest racetrack in the world.
Races are held here regularly on the military
parade ground under the management of the Gymkhana Club.
Eight kilometers from Chaurastha, the racing season is from May-
June and October-November.
6. Dhirdham Temple
Built on the ambitious lines of the great Pashupatinath Temple
of Nepal, in 1939, it is situated below the railway station.
7. Sree Mandir
Adjacent to the N.P.H. Library and Hall, just below the market
square, is this beautiful Hindu temple, offering daily puja. The
annual Durga Puja is offered during September-October.
8. Lloyd Botanical Gardens
One of the gifts of the inveterate Englishman's character, be he
traveler, settler or colonizer, is that he always carries a 'bit of
England' with him wherever he goes. It manifests itself in the
Englishman's club, or house and garden. In the temperate regions
of Kenya, or the hill stations of India can be found gardens from out
of the varitable English countryside. Early English visitors were
struck by the walks on Birch Hill (now preserved as a forest reserve)
and its European character, when they came across alpine trees
and flowering shrubs of the middle altitude type : oak, chestnut,
maple; cherry and birch,
In 1878, Mr. W. Lloyd proprietor of the famous bank of the same
name, gave a gift of 16 hectares (40 acres) of rolling hillside to Sir
Ashley Eden to make one of the best gardens in Asia. Sir Ashley
started the garden to study living specimens from the sub-temperate
and temperate Himalayas. Over the years, plants native to Sikkim
Himalaya and exotica from other parts, have been introduced. On
its charming laid out terraces grow the alpine plants, arum lilies,
geraniums, spectacular azaleas, tree-ferns and conifers. Collected
from Europe come the hawthorn, blackberry, broom, horse,
chestnut, ash, birch, lilac etc. From China and Japan, cryptomerias;
plums, cherries, magnolias and maples weeping willows and deodars.
From Africa, the Cape bulbon plants and the cypress; from America,
magnolia grandiflora and jurriferus bermudiana. From Australia and
New Zealand, silver and black wattle, the silver oak, the blue gum
and eucalyptus. The Cactii and Savcculents section is housed in a
separate conservatory with 150 species on display The varied
collection of orchids has developed 5O rare varieties. The Orchidadum
housing 2,500 plants. Inside the conservatory, begonias in bloom
weave an attractive mosaic of multi-colored splendour.
Arranged in tiers are more than 200 pots of every conceivable
hue; when the bloom fade, the plants are replaced by a fresh lot. In
the student's garden are family representative of Sikkim Himalayan
flora and in the medicinal garden are some of the common indigenous,
medicinal plants of the Eastern Himalayas. With the upper section
containing indigenous plants, and the lower the exotic ones, the gardens
present a "kaleidoscope of color which continues till the
autumn sun floods the hills, turning them into russet and
gold, and fallen leaves carpet the road." They are situated just
below the Edern Sanatorium and is easily accessible from the Bazar
Motor Stand. Open to the general public the year round, it also
organizes a flower show during the summer months. (Timing: 6
A.M. to 5 P.M.).
9. Victoria Falls
At a short distance away from the Railway Station, downward
to the south, are the stunningly beautiful Victoria Falls created by
the Kalijhora, a small stream. From a distance 100 feet high, it
cascades down over a precipitous crag, and rushes down to the
valley below, through deep ravines to Sidrapong. There is ferro-concrete
bridge over the stream. At Sidrapong Power Station, at an
elevation of 3,500 ft above sea level and 3,300 ft below Darjeeling,
down in the west, the waters of the Victoria Falls are harnessed for
generating the electric supply for Darjeeling, and its suburbs. It is
the first Hydel Project in India.
10. Ava Art Gallery
About 2km from the town enroute to Ghoom, houses the unique
art and embroidery works of Mrs. Ava Devi.
11. Manjusha--West Bengal Handicrafts Emporium
Manjusha on Nehru Road (The Mall), where prominent hill
handicrafts, handloom and silk products of West Bengal are on
display and sale.
12. Happy Valley Tea Estate
It is nearest Tea Estate at 3 km in this hill region. Processing of
tea can be seen here
13. Tadakh Orchid Culture Center
Twenty-six kilometers from Darjeeling, Tadakh is a beautiful
picnic spot. It is run by West Bengal Forest Corporation. Nearly 110
varieties of both hybrid & local orchids are cultured here. Bulbs are
for sale.
14. Bhutia Bustee and Aloobari Monasteries
Just 1.5 kilometers from Chaurastha, descending from 'Step
Aside' (the house with the past - #3 above), is the Bhutia Bustee Tibetan
Monastery. With a long and colorful history, the monastery
belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhist Lamas. The origin of the name
Darjeeling is linked to this monastery. 'Dorje' means thunderbolt in
Tibetan and 'Ling' means resting place, thus 'Place' of the
'Thunderbolt', which was the name of the monastery, originally
located on Observatory Hill before it was ransacked by the Nepalese
in the 19th century and rebuilt on the present site. The ill fated
monastery was again destroyed by the 1934 earthquake and owes
its present existence to the munificence of the late Raja of Sikkim.
The Aloobari Monastery, with an equally colorful history, is
three kilometers to the south, en route to Ghoom on the Tenzing
Norgay road. Both of these monasteries have brightly colored and
carved roofs.
15. Yiga-Cholang Buddhist Monastery at Ghoom
Eight kilometers from Darjeeling at an elevation of 8,000 feet, at
the highest rail-road station in the world, the last lap of the journey
before the Batasia loop, is the Ghoom Tibetan Monastery, belonging
to the Yellow Sect of Buddhists who worship a 15-foot statue of the
"Coming Buddha" (Maitreya Buddha). Built in 1875 by Lama Sherab
Gyantso, it is the largest of the three monasteries and contains
images of Buddha's disciples Chenrezi and Chongapa. Among the
Buddhist texts available there are the Kangyur, the Buddhist
Tibetan Gospel running into 108 volumes. The monks fly prayer
flags in the Tibetan tradition and hold religious and folk dances
during Feb-March to welcome the Tibetan new year. Visitors, both
Indian and foreigners, are welcome to this gaily painted red and blue
monastery.
16. Batasia Loop
Aboard the "toy train" from Siliguri to Darjeeling just below
Ghoom and 5 km from Darjeeling is the Batasia Loop -- an engineering
marvel and feat. Almost imperceptibly, the railway line negotiates a
circle and descends 1,000 ft in altitude. The train's figure-8s and "Z"
maneuvers are as picturesque as the flowers, streams and waterfalls.
At Batasia ("windy place") one gets a grand view of the town
of Darjeeling perched on the slopes of hills and Kanchenjunga in the
background. For more information on the Toy Train, click the "Toy Train" link on the menu bar above.
17. Ghoom Rock
About 15 km from Darjeeling, on the Ghoom-Sukhia pokhri
road, at an altitude of 7,900 ft, stands the 100-foot high enormous
detached rock, offering a grand view of the mountains
and the Balsan Valley. It is a popular spot with the tourists.
18. Tiger Hill
Passing through primitive forests of oak, magnolia and
beautiful ferns ablaze with color is the
steeply ascending road to Senchal, running through Ghoom on its
way to Tiger Hill which is 11 km from the town and at an elevation of 2,590
meters (8,482 ft). To the summit of this internationally famous 'Hill',
journey mountain and nature lovers to view the worlds most
majestic mountain--Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga, or mighty
Kanchenjunga the king of them all. From the summit, to the north,
lies the town of Darjeeling and in the background stands the
stupendous snowy range in all its glorious magnificence. No finer
place exists to steep the viewer in the grandeur and beauty of
towering snow-capped mountains. Mt. Everest, 225 km away rarely
deigns to come out of the cloudy mists, with its two other peaks
on each side. About 135 km
away is Tibet's Chomol Hari mountain, said to be the world's most
beautiful peak. Kanchenjunga 28,146 ft dwarfing the two others, Kabru
(24,000 ft) and Janu (25,300 ft), conical in shape, leaps into view
only 64 km away. One of the most unifying forces in myth and
identity of the country, the towering range is rightly named Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga, or the house of five treasures, by scholars,
referring to the five summits of this gigantic mountain. The peak is
the third highest in the world, and presents many more formidable
hazards than Everest. The legendary warrior patron of the mountain
is credited, in awe, with a cordon drawn round the summit, eternal
and still, beyond which man may not enter.
19. Senchal Lake
The hill of damp and mist-situated at an altitude of 8,160 ft,
10 km to the south-east of Darjeeling, has a lake and golf links on
the summit. Also a favorite picnic spot, it can easily be said to be
the highest golf course and picnic spot in the world. The springs that
feed the lake also feed the town, the lake is the reservoir of
Darjeeling's water supply. A Tourist Lodge atop Senchal thoughtfully
provides a bar besides accommodation with both hot & cold running
water.
20. Jalapahar
The military barracks and depot were built on hill-sides 7,250 ft
above sea level. After a stimulating walk one reaches the parade
ground and a church to cater to the spiritual needs of the men
stationed in the barracks. The depot supplies the other necessities.
Offering a splendid view of the snows is Bryanstone. Built in 1848, it was
the residence of two great Orientalists and Indologists, Sir J.D.
Hooker and Brian Hodgson. Another great Orientalist Xoma de Koros,
lived in Darjeeling till 1849, the year he died. He lies
buried in the cemetery. Bishop Cotton, an educationist the person to influence Lord Canning
to make these hills the seat of European
education in India is also buried in Darjeeling. Several hill schools were established, the first,
St. Paul's was transferred to Darjeeling in 1864 from Calcutta. It occupies, among
other buildings, the old Manor, Bryanstone. It is rumored that the great actress Vivian Leigh was born on
the campus of St. Paul's School.
21. The Teesta, Great Rangeet and Bijanbari Valley
The magnificent Teesta and the graceful mountain torrent, the
Great Rangeet, add to the beauty of Darjeeling. The confluence of the
two; one, the Teesta, sea green and muddy, the other, the great
Rangeet, crystal clear and deep green, provides one of the most
picturesque scenes along the course. From the icy heights of the
lake Chalamu, at an elevation of 17,500 ft in Sikkim, 118 km to the
north-east of Darjeeling, originates the majestic Teesta fed by
several streams rising in the North, and flows on marking the Sikkim-Darjeeling
boundary. It is joined, in a mighty torrent, by the Great
Rangeet, 6 km from Sevoke. Passing through Jalpaiguri and
Bangladesh at Rangpur, it falls into the great Brahmaputra at
Fulcherry. The combined streams rush on to Goalando to merge
with the Padma, creating a vast unbounded expanse of water. From
the glacial elevation of Kabru, in the lower regions of the
Kanchenjunga, flows the great Rangeet, a glacier in melted form,
and bright green, meeting the Ramman in its southward journey.
Further down, the Little Rangeet, bright blue, flowing from the Tonglu
spur in the Singalila range, joins it.
At Singla Bazaar down the Takvar road is an unbelievably
beautiful view of the lovely valleys of these two streams; one of
these two streams; one of these is luch Bijanbari, rich with the
bounties bestowed on it by the little Rangeet. Brimming with
agriculture and dairy products, the valley abounds in potatoes,
cardamom, sweet smelling rice, maize, millets, peas, beans, squash,
cauliflower cabbages and tomatoes; fruit orchards produce apples,
oranges, pineapples and plums. While the little Rangeet is overflowing
with trout, the valley has wild life, flowers and butterflies. Meandering
lazily past ancient forests, tidy tea bushes, orange and bamboo
groves, a 22 km highway links the valley with Darjeeling. Filled with
scenic beauty spots, 13 km from Darjeeling are the Hima Falls,
another 6 km down is Biswambhar rock rising 50 feet vertically from
the road. A new bridge runs over the superb falls. At the road's end
the little Rangeet rushes over rugged boulders separating the hill
from Poolbazar, the oldest and biggest market in the district for livestock,
hides and agricultural produce.
22. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
The Darjeeling Ropeway connects Darjeeling with Bijanbari
down in the little Rangeet Valley. A mono-cable type, with one rope
acting both as tractor and carrier, the Ropeway travels at a speed
of 6.5 km an hour. The 4,620 foot span is the biggest and a record for
India.
From an elevation of 7,000 ft, in Darjeeling's North Point, a
bi-cable passenger ropeway, carrying six at a time, in a boxed car,
descends to 800 feet at Singla. This thrilling ride is on the first bi-cable
passenger-carrying ropeway and the largest of its kind in Asia.
Singla, with 1,500 acres of forest land is on the banks of the great
Rangeet. Here amidst stunning beauty, the Ramman river with the
little Rangeet meets the Great Rangeet. Starting at the terminus
station of St. Joseph's College in North Point, the closed cabin
swings above yawning gaps, filled with spurs, dense forests,
mountain ridges, water-falls, flowing silvery rivers, green valleys
and tea gardens. Stopping at Tukwar, Burnesbeg and Singla Tea
Estate, it takes 45 minutes to reach Singla Bazaar, eight kilometers
away and 6,000 feet below. The ropeway was originally built at a
cost of 29 lakhs of rupees basically to serve many tea gardens in the
locality.
