Himalayan Panorama :: Detination

- Introduction
- Places of Interest

Darjeeling hill region lies in the northern most part of West Bengal in India. Prior to the year 1816 the whole of the territory was know as ‘British Sikkim’ belonged to Nepal, which had won it by conquest from the Sikkimese. By a treaty signed between Nepal and the British at ‘Segoulie’ in 1816 the former ceded the 4,000 square miles of territory to the later, which in turn by a treaty signed at Titalya in 1817 was handed over to Sikkim.

Later in 1828, when G.A. Lloyd and J. W. Grant round their way into the west of Darjeeling, they were very much impressed with the possibilities of the station as the sanatorium. Lloyd was deputed to start lent in money or land. This transfer was successfully accomplished on February 1st 1835. Sikkim unconditionally handed over a strip of hill territory covering approximately 138 square miles in area (24 miles long and about 5 to 6 miles wide) which included the village of Darjeeling & Kurseong Sub-division, for the establishment of a sanatorium for the invaded servants of the East India Company.

About 15 years in 1850 the relation between Sikkim and British had been far from satisfactory. In February 1850 foothills of Himalayas and portion of Sikkim Hills bounded by the Rammam and the Great Rangeet river on the north, Teesta on the East and by the Nepal frontier on the west, covering an area of 640 square miles were also captured by the British India.

In 1865 British force captured whole areas of Dooars and in 1866 Kalimpong Sub-division (belong to Bhutan) was also captured and added to Darjeeling District. This was the last addition to the District, which thus acquired its present dimension by increasing the area to 164 square miles. The year 1866 may thus be taken as marking afoot in the history of Darjeeling.

The name Darjeeling is thought to be a derivation of 'Dorjeeling' meaning the place of the Dorjee, the majestic thunderbolt of the Lamaist religion. In fact, the famous Buddhist Monastery standing at the top of the Observatory hill was known by this name.

	Tiger Hill
	If one does not wake up to see the Sunrise at Tiger hill the tour remain incomplete” Tiger hill 2590 meter 8482 feet is 13 km. away from Darjeeling town, and commands on of the most spectacular views, it is here that one encounters nature at its magnificent best four of the world’s highest mountains all 8000meter high towering over us at an incredibly close distance present a sight one can never forget. The contrast between Mt. Everest Mt. Kanchenjunga is very much marked
	Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
	The park is about 2 km from Darjeeling town , this zoo plays home to some of the rare Himalayan birds and some endangered species notable being the snow leopard and the red panda along with golden monkeys, Himalayan beer, pheasants, Tibetan wolves, Siberian tigers and other, it is considered as one of the best zoo in the country. The Zoo and HMI is in the same complex. The Darjeeling zoo is famous for its success in the snow leopard breeding program.
	Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
	Tenzing Norgay’s ascent of the Everest (8848m) along with Edmond Hillary 1953, provided the impetus to mountaineering as an organized spot in India, and it was to commemorate this signal success that the Himalayan mountaineering Institute was founded in Darjeeling in 1954. This Institute, which is housed in buildings, perched on the western spur of what came to be known as Jawaharlal Parvat has become an important centre of tourist attraction. It commands a magnificent panoramic view of the snow covered massif of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. Beside a well-stocked library, the Jayal hall and a powerful Veb Cart Zeiss Jena Telescope, The hall has to very interesting museum. The main museum has a relief model of the Himalayas showing the principal peak. It also displays a collection of dresses of the hill -folk, flags and pennants planted on peaks climbed by Indian expeditions and some of the personal cloths used by Tenzing during his ascent of the Everest. Visitors can get a good idea about mountain climbing from the exhibits displayed in the museum.
	Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple
	Rising steeply from the heart of Darjeeling town is observatory hill, and it is well worth climbing to the top to experience the magnificent view from the summit. You can see all the way to Sikkim and beyond as you look towards the sacred peak of Kanchenjunga, one of 12 peaks over 6096mts. The hill is rich in flora and fauna offers great opportunities for birdwatcher and photography. The Mahakal temple straddles the summit where the Dorjeling Buddhist monastery once stood. A communal place of worship for all of Darjeeling’s faith, the central temple with there Shiva linga is said to have self manifested in 1782. The gilded icons represent Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwor.
	Batasiya Loop
	Established in 1903, this natural history museum packs in its folds a rich collection of fauna found in the Himalayas and in Bengal. Among the attractions are included the estuarine crocodiles. This unique museum also has a good collection of butterflies. The mineral forms of various stones are displayed in a very attractive manner in the museum.
	Botanical Garden
	The botanical garden, located below the Darjeeling bus stand, is worth visiting. Unique collection of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids will charm everybody. The hilly garden environment and landscape with silence of nature will surely pull back the feet of tourist to go out. The gardens also has a green house.
	Tibetan Refugee Self Helf Centre
	In 1959 was established a center for the refuges who had fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama after the Chinese invasion. This self help center has been developed as workshop for the manufacture of handicrafts. The fine and superb carpets, woolens, woodcarvings and leather work form this center has been very popular among the tourists. The money collected after the sale of the products goes to the Tibetans who work here. The variety Tibetan Curios on sale are also attracting the visitors in a big way. This center has established it self in the International scenario as place for hard work, self esteem and truth.
	Kanchenjunga view
	From Darjeeling one can have the best, uninterrupted view of the world’s third highest peak. Bhanu 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.
	Yiga Choling Monastery
	At an elevation of 8000ft, the highest 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 the Buddhists who worship a 15 ft statue of the ‘coming Buddha’ built in 1875 by Lama Sherap Gyantso, it is 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 folk dances during Feb-March to welcome the Tibetan New year
	Kalu Rimpuche Monastery
	The late Kalu Rimpoche was born in the Trehor region of Kham, Eastern Tibet, in 1905. His father was a noted doctor, writer and Buddhist practitioner. In the 1940s he began visiting monasteries of many schools and lineages, all over Tibet, and on a visit to Lhasa taught the Regent. In 1955, he visited Karmapa at Tsurphu, who asked him to leave Tibet in order to prepare the ground in India and for the probable impending exile. He first went to Bhutan, where he established two retreat centers and ordained 300 monks. In 1965 he established his own monastery at Sonada, Sam drub Dhargye Ling, and established a three-year retreat facility there. Kalu Rimpoche died on 10th May 1989 at his Monastery in Sonada. His reincarnation (b. 1990) was recognized by Tai Situpa at Sonada in 1992.
	Druk Thupten Sangay Choling Monastery
	This monastery is 4 km away fro Darjeeling town. This is one of the most famous monasteries belonging to the Kargyukpa sect, the pioneer of this monastery was Thuksay Rimpoche who expired in 1983 and his incarnate is reported to have been born in 1986 at Ladakh India.
	Bhutia Busty Buddhist Monastery
	The monastery was founded 1879, and has link to both the Kagyupa-Pa and Ningma-pa sects’ orders of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in a traditional Tibetan style with a notable Sikkim ESE influence, the monastery is a prime example of Darjeeling’s vibrant Buddhist tradition
	Japanese Peace Pagoda
	The Japanese peace pagoda was established by followers of the Nipponzan Myohoji Japanese Buddhist order. The pagoda is highest free-standing structure in town, and showcase the four avatars of the Buddha. Situated on the slopes of Jalapahar Hill. Near the pagoda is the Nipponzan Myohoji Temple, which is a traditional Japanese style and offers visitors a place for and introspection.
	Tea Plantation
	In the year 1840 the British laid the foundation of the green carpet (tea) – the now world famous Darjeeling tea - on the slopes on the hills of Darjeeling. Visits to the tea plantations and factories allow a wonderful insight into the current and past history of this famous export.
	Toy Train
	Chug, Chug, Chug, Chug… A ride on the famous Toy Train will be an unforgettable part of your experience in Darjeeling.
	The Mall
	An evening stroll round the Mall will acquaint you with the local life. Curios, Premium Darjeeling Tea, Pashmina Shawls and books pertaining to this area are widely available.