The beautiful city of Darjeeling...

I had disappeared from the blogging world for sometime and trust me it felt awful...So here's the guilty conscious soul back to writing and this time around I have something really nice to share, especially with the travel freaks! I had this lovely opportunity to spend a week in the Queen of Hills...Darjeeling last month and I thought what a better opportunity to explain my absence and also attempt to give you a virtual visit to the place through this content...

Darjeeling, predominantly a tourist destination, is located in North Bengal and has been termed as the 'Queen of Hills' by the British because of it's scenic hilly views and pleasant weather round the year. Located at about 6700 feet approx., Darjeeling proudly proclaims view of the Kanchenjanga. Anybody who has witnessed the Sun rise from Tiger Hill view point has found another reason to live!!! The submission of the Sun to the second highest Mountain peak in the world is truely a scene to behold...as the seven colours spread away from each other and fall upon the Kanchenjanga, the view exudes only gapes from the viewers!!! I'm told that this view has inspired many beings to turn into poets!!!

                                       

You start to feel the charm of the city as you drive from Siligudi to Darjeeling. Currently that's the only way you can take as the frequent landslides have caused the direct road to be closed for an indefinite period. As our car wound round and round up the altitude, the weather became mushy, the clouds nearly reachable and the beautiful tea estates peeped at us from the edgy sides of the hills! Three hours of pure admiration and voila, we had reached Darj!!!!

The other side of Darjeeling can be experienced as you walk down the heart of the city, known as the Mall Road. As you carve your way out amidst the busy street bustling with the natives and the tourists, you can't help but notice the busy stalls on your right selling umbrellas, jackets, winter clothes, hangbags, jewellery and a host of other eye-catching fancy items. Once you manage your way out to the junction, you can sit on an array of benches placed on either side of the road and lose yourself in the chaotic splendour with a steaming hot cup of tea! There are a host of Curio and rusty antique shops and a few stores which sell high quality Darjeeling tea.

Mall Road Junction, Darjeeling

A brunch at Keventer's is a must if you happen to visit Darjeeling. A plate of yummy sausages, salamies, a sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate will keep you raving about the yummy food and make you come back for more! Coffee and cakes at Glenary's would make you forget your local cafes in a jiffy! And if you crave for pan-fried Momos, Darjeeing is your place!
Its very rare that I visit a new place and do not take a look into it's fashion hubs. Infact the ladies in Darj are extremely fashionable and many a times gave me a severe complex!!! However it did not take me long to unearth their style secret! ;-) If you belong to my group of people, visit the Dragon Market close to the railway station and you will be amazed at the collection of imported shoes, bags, jackets and dresses!!!

The Mall, Darjeeling

A toy-train ride is a must for everyone who visits Darj. A three hour long ride to Kurseong would be apt if you want to be surrounded in the serenity of the rocks and greenery. As the toytrain would trot along the hillside, you can't but help waving back at the young Nepali kids who would wave at you frantically and often surprise you by running behind the moving train!!! The train would invade the privacy of a few houses by coursing through their gardens and terraces and sometimes it is so close that you can practically pick up anything starting from a sock to an utensil !!! The rich coloured flowers hanging from the shrubs on the hills would beckon you to make your own hut alongside and live there forever!

Toy-train ride from Darjeeling to Kurseong

Coincidentally a few days ago I was reading an article written by one of the famous Bengali singer/director who had observed that more than anything, Darjeeling oozes charm and vivacity mostly because of its natives and I cannot agree more! Although the tension with regards to the Gorkhaland sometimes causes disruption in transport, I would not even consider it as an antagonist. The natives, predominantly Nepalis, are courteous , peace-loving and soft-spoken by nature. They'd bow when you buy from their shops and would always accept the cost with their right hand with left arm folded. The hawkers would always address you as either 'brother' or 'sister' and politely inquire about your native place. They are an extremely hardworking lot, especially the ladies and you will marvel at the way the tea pluckers balance themselves on the hill slopes while they pluck the exact leaves.Their wooden houses atop the hills are prone to frequent landslides and water logging. Darj itself faces immense electricity and water problems. However the natives' pleasant faces are never marred by the scarcity.

Other places of interest in Darj include the Shrubbery Park famous for it's greenery, the calm and serene Buddhist Monasteries, the zoo (the show stopper being the cuddly Red Pandas...Aaaawww!!!!), the Rock Gardens (where you can click your snap in a traditional tea plucker's attire) and Batashia Loop.

The Red Panda

Darj speaks profoundly of the words of celebrations, contentment, happiness and sharing. A city, which makes you a part of it's family from the time you set your foot on it. A selfless land which does not boast of it's assets, but is beautiful inside out...

Pay a visit to Darj if you haven't yet. I have fallen in love and I am sure you will...too!!!!