| |
PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND DARJEELING |
|
| |
Ghoom Monastery : About 8
kms from Darjeeling is the Ghoom Monastery. 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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Batasia 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 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Kanchenjunga View
: 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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Zoological Gardens : The
zoo is situated two kms form the main town. This
zoological garden
 houses some of the rare species of
animals and birds. This is only zoo in India having
the Siberian Tigers. Apart from these the rare Red
Panda is also there. The Snow Leopards, Great Grey
Birds, Snow Yaks are some the animals which are
attracting tourist in great numbers. The entry in
the zoo is by tickets which are also valid for the
natural history museum and the mountaineering
institute & museum. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Snow Leopard Breeding
programme: 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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center
: 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, woollens,
 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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute & Museums : The Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute is on the West Jawahar
road. The institute runs courses for training
mountaineers as well as has the very good collection
of mountaineering equipments which have been used in
various mountaineering expeditions and other wise.
Specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna are also kept
here. The record of attempts made to conquer Mt.
Everest has been kept in the Mt.Everest Museum. The
institute also screens short films on
mountaineering. You can also view
 the Himalayan
peaks through the Zeiss Telescope given to the
Nepalese Maharaja by Hitler. Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
was the Director of this institute for many years
and he was cremated near the institute after his
death in 1986. Near the institute is Srabri which
gives a very good view of the Single valley and the
Kanchenjunga range. One can sit at Srabri and feel
the cool breeze from the valley. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Passenger Ropeway :
Another tourist attraction in Darjeeling has been
the ropeway. This was
 the first ropeway in India. It
connects the North point (7000 ft) to the Singla
Bazaar (800 ft). The rope covers a distance of 8 kms
in 45 minutes. The seats in the rope way is limited
and it is better to get the tickets in advance. The
ropeway is exciting and unique for any one visiting
Darjeeling. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Kalimpong : Kalimpong is
within Darjeeling province and is a subdivision of
Darjeeling. It is a
 small but bustling town in the
Himalaya foothills of West Bengal Kalimpong is at an
altitude of 1250 meters. This bazaar town was
originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken
over by the British and finally it settled down with
West Bengal |
|
| |
|
|
| |
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. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Mirik : Mirik is 52 kms from
Siliguri and 55 kms from the nearest Airfield of
Bagdogra. Mirik is
 being developed as a new hill
station in the mountains. Mirik is surrounded by tea
estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations.
It has all the facilities to fulfill the needs of a
tourist. |
|
| |
|
|
