DARJEELING MONUMENTS

Batasia Loop: Five kilometers from Darjeeling and three kilometers from Ghoom, the meter-gauge, toy train winds its way over this brilliant piece of engineering delight. It is a pleasant and delightful descent from Ghoom - the highest railway station in the world.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: A Training Centre for aspiring mountain climbers situated about 2 Kms from Chowrasta, on Jawahar Parbat. It also boasts of an unique museum displaying an array of items used by famous mountaineers.

Natural History Museum: The museum has a collection of over 4300 specimen . 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.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding centre.

Chowrasta: This one of the important shopping places in Darjeeling . Here the Nehru Road and the Mall Road Intersect each other. The snow capped peaks of Kanchenjunga are visible from this place. Near Chowrata are several Hindu and Buddhists temples. This place is over flowing with foreign tourists. You can also enjoy a pony ride form this place.

Kurseong: 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.

Observatory Hills: This point provides one of the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peaks. This place is also very sacred for the Hindus and the Buddhists as there are temples and the monasteries at this place. The Kali temple is decorated with the colourful flags. Be aware of the monkey groups as some these are very aggressive.

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

Botanical Gardens: This place is worth a visit for its exotic and exclusive collection of a variety of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids. This place is near the taxi stand. The gardens also has a green house.

Happy Valley Estate: Here the tea from the gardens is processed. One can spent a few hours here. Entry is only allowed to persons who have permission from any officer of the estate.

Senchal Lake: 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

Tiger Hill: Tiger Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalayan.

Mall: Mall is the place where the visitors can give the finishing touch "shopping" to there visit. This is basically a comercial center of this valley. Here one can find hand knitted sweaters, hand painted wall hangings, fancy bags, himalayan and tibetian antique , and specially tibetian theme based oil paintings of black & white in colour. Here the local people also appear with some traditional food like momos etc.

Around Darjeeling

Kalimpong: Is a sleepy little town situated at an altitude of 1,200 m, some 50 km to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.

The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old scriptures, and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Bhuddhist temple; Parnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can be views; Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda; Delo View Point for magnificent views: and Kalimpong famous flower nurseries.

Lava - Lolayagaon: Lava is situated at a height of 7200 ft. and is 101 kms from Siliguri via Kalimpong. The beauty of this quiet and romantic place lies in its dense forests of Berch, Pine and Juniper and the variety of orchids. While at Lave, enjoys a day's outing to the fascinating Chhangey Ralls (12 kms from Lava) with 2 Sunrise points viz. Ghanti Dara and Tiffin Dara, Lava Monastery, Nature Interpretation Centre. If you are a little adventurous you can take a 12 km trek to Jelepa and Rachela pass situated on the Trijuntion of Sikkim,Bengal and Bhutan.

Just 24 km from Lava, at 7012 ft, Lolengaon offers wondrous views of the peaks of Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Kabru, Jana Siniolchu, Kang, Talung, Kaumbhakarna, Dome, Jupuno, Narsing and Simvo.

Rishap at 8500 ft. is a small hamlet at tri-junction of Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan and it reached by a 9 km jeep able road from Lava. You can also reach there by a 3 km trek from Lava. Over viewing Neora Valley National Park and with spectacular 360 degree views of snow clad peaks & passes (Mt. Khangchendzonga, Nathula, Jelepa), Rishap is a real treat for tired eyes and souls.

Mirik: (elevation 1,767 m) is another tiny hill resort easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or Darjeeling. The center-piece of the town is the Sumendu Lake where boating under the serene gaze of Khangchendzonga makes for a most relaxing pastime. Rameetay Dara and Deosi Dara are two elevated points near the lake from where the view is terrific. Apple orchards and tea gardens are other attractions.