Introduction:

Darjeeling is a town in the state of West Bengal. A popular tourist destination, it is located in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya It is noted for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognized and ranks among the most popular of the black teas. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has one of the few steam locomotives still in service in India. The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu consisting of Nepalese, Tibetan, Bengali and other ethnolinguistic groups. Darjeeling, with its neighboring town of Kalimpong, was a center of the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s.

Photo Credit: Anilbharadwaj125

Destination Facts:

Location: West Bengal, District Darjeeling.
Altitude : 2,050 meter(6,730ft).
Area: 10.57sq km (4.08 sq mi)
Temperature: (Summer 19 to 37°C) & (Winter-2 to 24°C)
Languages spoken: Nepali, Bengali, English, Hindi, and Urdu.

Getting there:

Nearest Airports: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, near Siliguri, 96 km from Darjeeling.
Main Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri is the nearest station on the main inter-city line.
Main Bus Station or Road Direct: There is a regular bus service from Siliguri to Darjeeling.

Distance of a few Major Towns from Darjeeling:
Jalpaiguri is the main city center tourist can go around anywhere.

Eating Around:
Multi – Cuisine.

Places of Tourist interest:

Dhoom Gompa:
8 km 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.  

Dhoom Gompa

The 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. Photoshops carry turn-of-the-century photos as well as specializing in hand-painted black and white prints with glowing oil colors. 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. Woolen 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.

Observatory 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.  

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

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.

Getting around the destination:
Continues Bus, Minibus, Rickshaw and Auto Rickshaw Facility is provided to get around the destination in Kolkata.

Shopping Areas & Entertainment:
Darjeeling is famous for art and craft and famous for tea.

 Best time to visit:
 September and June is the best time to visit.

Festivals:
Durga Puja, Diwali, Saraswati Puja and Lakshmi Puja, Bhailo, Deosi Bhai Tika andShivratri