Thursday, April 5, 2012

Darjeeling Tour

It is said'' the landscape belongs to the person who looks at it." Lying in the lap of North-eastern Himalayas in a natural ampitheatre with the Kanchenjunga at the backdrop, the Victorian Darjeeling or Tibetan Dorjeeling is a fairytale land where nature invites every tourist to relish the romance of the hills and the mountains. The colonial hill resort blooming with lovely rhododendrons and dazzling white magnolias is about 686 kms from the plains of Kolkata and mesmerizes the visitors with heavenly scenic beauty where one loses in nature and looks for solace.

Here every day begins with the sun happily greeting the snow-covered mountain ranges of Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga and other peaks ,painting the sky in crimson red and orange.One can see the unadultered beauty of nature in every nook and corner of the resort. Acres of green carpeted tea gardens, ever-smiling folks with childlike simplicity, the melodious rhythm of Gorkhali song, the chilly breeze, the hide and seek game of the mountains with the sun and the sprawling fruit orchards certainly put a balm on every bruised soul.

The picturesque town having a strong colonial flavour is certainly not glamourous. There are no malls, no frilly restaurants not even plush houses still no one can match up to the natural beauty of this hill resort.

Stroll and take a look at the thick bushes of tea. Take a deep breath and enjoy the silence of nature surrounding it. Listen to the melody of cascading river. Indulge in a leisurely scenic walk while sipping the famous 'darjeeling tea', peep into the unique culture of the resort - a beautiful mixture of Tibet, Nepal and China. Ride on the 'toy train' and hold your breath when it passes through the awe-inspiring ranges with clouds floating over it.

Darjeeling is nature's gift to every troubled soul with a promise of an ever lasting bond!

                                                  Tourist Attraction in Darjeeling

Entering Darjeeling is like travelling back in time to the days of the British Raj, a vertical Victorian London - like town populated with oriental faces. Church spires and brick chimneys dominate the skyline.

Dhoom Gompa, Darjeeling
About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Dhoom Gompa. Here a very beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha is established. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.

The Mall, Darjeeling TravelsThe Mall:
The Mall is Darjeeling's popular commercial street. It is lined with Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters and souvenir shops chock-full of Himalayan artifacts and both real and imitation antiques. Photo shops carry turn-of-the-century photos as well as specialising in hand-painted black and white prints with glowing oil colours. The Mall leads to Chaurasta, a square, which doubles as a bandstand, a pony riding arena for children and a haven for lovers.

Chowrasta:
The Chowrasta, meaning crossroad, is a hive of commercial activity. The Mall Road originates and culminates at the Chowrasta. This is the heart of Victorian Darjeeling. Here hotels, restaurants and shops brush against each other. The shops and stalls are a veritable paradise for souvenir collectors. The Bhutanese sellers display their wares. Woollen garments, tribal ornaments, Thankas, rosaries, brass statuettes and Gorkha daggers are kept on display for sale. Foreign goods are also available in some shops. Local handicrafts are much in demand.

Obeservatory Hill:
The oldest site in Darjeeling is Observatory Hill, known locally as “Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan”. According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalis destroyed it in the 19th century. The Shivas and Buddhists share the temple that stands there today.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
A spot not to be missed is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights. A zoological garden nearby has an assortment of wildlife such as yaks, Siberian tigers and red pandas who call the region their home.

Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway:
At North Point about 3-km from the town, this is the first passenger ropeway in India. For reservation of ropeway seats please contact - officer in-charge, Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway Station, North Point, Darjeeling. Regular share taxi service is available from Market Motor and Taxi Stand is to the Ropeway Station.
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Nearby Attractions from Darjeeling

Tibetan Refuge Camp:
The area in and around Darjeeling is a treasure chest of interesting destinations. The Tibetan Refugee self-help scheme produces traditional artifacts, jewellery and carpets for tourist consumption.

Lloyd's Botanical Garden:
Lloyd's Botanical Garden displays a fine collection of Himalayan fauna for those with an interest, and for punters there is horseracing at Lebong, the smallest and highest racecourse in the world.

Tiger Hill, Darjeeling TravelsTiger Hill:
Situated at an altitude of 2,590m (8,482 ft.) and 13-km from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here.

Phalut & Sandakphu:
A week's smallest-trip of Phalut and Sandakphu will get one within reach of the high peaks; for the onlooker it affords a more spectacular panorama than at Tiger Hill. Giant flowering Rhododendron trees, a pointillism of reds pinks and whites Dwarfs comprise of the en route trail. On attaining heights of over 3,048m, one is surrounded by skeletal trees devoid of leaves and branches, which are especially eerie when the clouds roll in and envelop the area.

Pashupati:
Further afield, in Pashupati on the Nepal border, one can purchase foreign goods at reasonable prices, view wildlife such as the endangered one-horned Rhino, Deer, Gaur, and wild boar while seated atop an Elephant's back at Jaldapara Game Park; learn of the Lepcha legend at the confluence of the Teesta and Ranjeet Rivers; relive Kalimpong's past glory as a trading post by visiting the market filled with traditional Tibetan medicine, spices, musk, wool and silk; or for the truly adventurous-hire some ponies and a crew and take to the hills.

                                                          Monasteries in Darjeeling

Monasteries in DarjeelingMonasteries in around Darjeeling generate tremendous interest among visitors, be it in the form of architectural extravagance or the spiritual message embodied in them.

Bhutia Busty Monasteries, Darjeeling
Founded in 1879, this monastery follows the Vajrayana school of both Kargyud and Nijingmapa order, known as red hat.

Samten Choling Monasteries, Darjeeling
This Monasteries belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as the yellow hat. This is the seat of ven. Dromo Geshe rinpoche, the second. A 26 ft. tall stupa has been built recently in memory of Lama Anagarika Govinda, a great scholar from Germany well known for his book on Buddhism.