Places of interests in Darjeeling

This railway loop is an interesting example of engineering. At this loop the toy train takes a very unique turn. This loop is just five kilometer from the main town of Darjeeling. This place also has a very good market where you can buy the purses, bags and other decorative items made by the local women at very reasonable price.

It was set up in 1903. It has a collection of Himalayan and Bengali fauna. More than 4300 specimens can be found, among them is the Estuarine Crocodile.

BHUTIA BUSTY GOMPA: It is a very colorful monastery. The shrine was moved here from Observatory Hill. Originally, it was a branch of the Nyingmapa Sects’ "Phodang Monastery" in Sikkim. It has a library of Buddhist texts. Amongst these texts, is the original copy of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead".

It is the major Hindu temple in Darjeeling. It is similar to the Pashupati Nath Temple of Kathmandu.

GHOOM GOMPA: It is also called "Yogachoeling Gompa" and is situated about 8 kms south of Darjeeling. It has an image of the "Maitreya Buddha" (one who has yet to come). The place Ghoom is quite often covered in mist. The monastery is old and dark and is often called Gloom Monastery. Ghoom also has three other Gompas namely "Samdenchoeling", "Samdenchoeling", "Sakyachoeling" and "Phin Sotholing". On the Tenzing Norgay road near Darjeeling, is the "Aloobari Monastery", which also sells Sikkimese and Tibetan handicrafts and religious objects. At "Dali", halfway between Darjeeling and Ghoom, is the "Thupten Sangachoeling Gompa". Towards Darjeeling is the opulent "Sonada Gompa".

HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING INSTITUTE (HMI): It was founded in 1954 on the British Hill Park. It has a Museum,which shows historic mountaineering equipment, specimens of Flora and Fauna of the Himalayas, badges and pins from mountaineering clubs of the world, relief model of the Himalayas and traditional dresses of the hill tribes of the Himalayas. Mount Everest has a museum all dedicated to it.

The Japanese peace pagoda depicts the various stages of the Buddha's life.

From Darjeeling one can have the best, uninterrupted view of the worlds third highest peak. Bhan Bhakta Sarani provides one of the enthralling views of these snow capped peaks. The Chowrasta also gives you a good sight to the Kanchenjunga peak.

Kurseong is mid way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way from Darjeeling to Kurseong is generally open through out the year. So, the toy train is not coming to Siliguri then you can come up to Kurseong. This place is equally beautiful and is full of natural splendour.

It has a 'Hothouse', which you would love to visit. The gardens have a fine collection of Himalayan plants, Orchids and other flowers. Almost all the Himalayan varieties find representation here. Among them are the Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Magnolias and lots of rare botanical specimens. Some other places you can visit are the Batasia Loop, Lebong Race Course, Lat Kothi and Ava Art Gallery. You can learn Tibetan language at the Manjushree Centre of Tibetan Culture. The Tibetan Refugee self help Centre teaches woodcarving. Short courses as well as treatments in Reiki are also available in Darjeeling. You could also take pony rides around the town or become a day-to-day member of the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club. The Club offers tennis, badminton, squash, roller-skating, billiards and table tennis. If you are visiting in November you can attend the Teesta Tea and Tourism Festival held from 14th to 20th November.

It is situated above the Windamere Hotel and is sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus. It has a shrine dedicated to Kali and is surrounded with multi colored prayer flags. The views from the little knoll on top of the ridge can be compared to those of Tiger Hill. The Bhan Bhakta Sarani provides the best uninterrupted views of the Himalayas.

PADMAJA NAIDU HIMALAYAN Z00LOGICAL PARK: It was set up in 1958. It houses Siberian tigers, red Panda and Tibetan Wolf along with other animals. Its objective is the study, conservation and preservation of the Himalayan Fauna. The snow Leopards have a separate enclosure about fifteen minutes away from the main zoo.

PASSENGER ROPEWAY: It is about 3km north of Darjeeling. It is India's oldest passenger ropeway and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar at the bottom of the valley.

Where the road from Gangtok to Darjeeling takes its great bend high above the Teesta river, directly opposite Kanchenjunga, a Buddhist monk many years ago is believed to have proclaimed "Rungli Rungliot" This pious benediction which, literally translated, means "thus far and no further" is alive and well today in the shape of one of the most celebrated tea gardens in the Darjeeling hills. The village is steeped in legend.

A scenic place near the tiger hills. This place has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.

The twin Cities of Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the departure point to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the North Eastern States. Being the nodal point this place has become very busy and crowded. This area has got population over 2.5 lakh people. Siliguri also acts as a transit point for Nepal. This place is not very pleasant to stay as there are always long lines of buses and trucks. These trucks and vehicles might be good for business but they provide very ugly sight. Tourists come to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri mainly to change bus or catch trains. If you have time then visit the almost forgotten wild life sanctuary of Jaldhapara. The best season to visit this park is between October and May. This the time when the new grass has come up and animals are out there. The sanctuary has elephants, dears, tigers and other animals but the main attraction is the Rhinos which are threatened by the poachers. Elephant Safari can be taken from Hollong.

Nowadays the zoologists and the environmental scientists are trying to protect the endangered species by breeding them in captivity. Following this trend is Kiran Moktan who has devoted his life in breeding program of snow leopards. The snow leopards are not known to have bred in captivity but in this center thanks to the efforts of Kiran Maktan these animals have given birth in captivity. Snow leopards are animals who have to be kept in large enclosures. Visitors are allowed in the center but they have to watch the animals in utter silence.

They are also known as tea plantations. They were started in the 1804. Happy Valley Tea Estate is nearest to Darjeeling and worth a visit. You can tour the processing plants, watch the pickers at work and also buy the locally grown tea. This tea estate claims to use old orthodox methods.

It was established in 1959. It has a home for the aged, an orphanage, school, hospital, Gompa and craft workshops producing carpets of Ladakhi wool, wood carving, wool products and leather products. It also has a showroom selling Tibetan coins, banknotes, jewellery etc.

It is about 11 kms. from Darjeeling near Ghoom. You can view the mighty Kanchenjunga and the rest of the eastern Himalayan peaks.It is very cold and crowded at the top. The view is magnificent and you can,on a clear day,see Lhotse, Everest, Makalu,Kokong,Janu,Rathong,Kabru,Kanchenjunga, Pandim,Simvo and Siniolchu. They have a view tower on the hill.Close to the hill is the "SINCHAL LAKE".It supplies Darjeeling with its domestic water and is quite popular as a picnic spot.