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Tiger
Hill:-
The highest spot in the area at 2590m, Tiger Hill is near
Ghoom, about 11km from Darjeeling. The hill is famous for
its magnificent dawn views over Kanchenjunga and other
eastern Himalayan peaks. On a clear day even Mount Everest
is visible.
Every day a large convoy of battered Land Rovers leaves
Darjeeling at 4.30am, which means that in the smaller lodges
you get woken up at this time every day, whether you like it
or not. It can be very cold and very crowded at the top but
coffee is available. There is a view tower. Halfway down the
hill a temple priest causes a massive traffic jam by
anointing the steering wheel of each vehicle for the return
trip. Many take the jeep one way and then walk back - a very
pleasant two hour trip.
Senchal Lake :-
Close to Tiger Hill is Senchal Lake, which supplies
Darjeeling with its domestic water. It's a particularly
scenic area and popular as a picnic spot with Indian
holiday-makers.
Kanchenjunga Views:-
At 8598m, this is the world's third highest mountain. From
Darjeeling, the best uninterrupted views of it are from Bhan
Bhakta Sarani. The name Kanchenjunga is derived from the
Tibetan Khang (snow), chen (big), dzong (fortress or
treasury) nga (five) - big five peaked snow fortress, or big
five peaked treasury of the snow.
Bhutia Busty Gompa:-
Not far from Chowrasta is this colourful monastery, with
Kanchenjunga providing a spectacular backdrop. Originally a
branch of the Nyingmapa sect's Phodang Monastery in Sikkim,
it was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879. The shrine here
originally stood on Observatory Hill. There's library of
Buddhist texts upstairs which houses the original copy of
the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Ghoom Gompa:-
More correctly known as Yogachoeling Gompa, this is probably
the most famous monastery in Darjeeling and is about 8 km
south of town, just below Hill Cart road and the train
station near Ghoom. It enshrines an image of the Maitreya
Buddha. Foreigners are allowed to enter the shrine and take
photographs. As Ghoom is frequently swathed in mists, and
the monastery is old and dark, it is often affectionately
called Gloom monastery
Other Gompas:-
There are three other gompas in Ghoom: the very large but
relatively uninteresting Samdenchoeling, the nearby and
smaller Sakyachoeling, and the Phin Sotholing.
Nearer Darjeeling, on Tenzing Norgay Rd, Aloobari Monastery
welcomes visitors. The monks often sell Tibetan and
Sikkimese handicrafts and religious objects (usually hand
bells). If the monastery is closed ask at the cottage next
door and they'll let you in.
Halfway between Ghoom and Darjeeling is the Thupten
Sangachoeling Gompa at Dali. Westerners interested in
Tibetan Buddhism often study here. A little closer to
Darjeeling on the same road is the opulent Sonada Gompa.
Observatory Hill:-
Situated above the Windamere Hotel, this viewpoint is sacred
to both Hindus and Buddhists. There is a Kali shrine here
and the multicoloured prayer flags double as trapezes for he
monkeys. Watch out for them as they can be aggressive.
Dhirdham Temple :-
The most conspicuous Hindu temple in Darjeeling, this is
just below the railway station and is modelled on the famous
Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.
Bengal Natural History Museum:-
Established in 1903, a comprehensive but dusty collection of
Himalayan and Bengali fauna is packed into this interesting
museum. Among the 4300 specimens is the estuarine crocodile,
the animal responsible for the greatest loss of human life
in Asia. The museum is open daily except Thursday, from 10am
to 4pm.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
This zoo was established in 1958 with the objectives of
study, conservation and preservation of Himalayan fauna. The
animals are well cared for by dedicated keepers. To protect
and breed the dwindling stocks of wild animals, to educate
the public and instill in them a sense of the worth of these
wonderful creatures, it is necessary to keep them in
pseudo-natural habitats. The zoo houses India's only
collection of Siberian tigers and some rare species, such as
the red panda and the Tibetan wolf.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) & Museums :-
Entered through the zoo, on Jawahar Rd West about two km
from the town, the HMI runs courses to train mountaineers,
and maintains a couple of interesting museums. The
Mountaineering Museum contains a collection of historic
mountaineering equipment, specimens of Himalayan flora and
fauna and a relief model of the Himalaya. The Everest Museum
next door traces the history of attempts on the great peak.
Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who conquered Everest with Edmund
Hillary in 1953, lived in Darjeeling and was the director of
the institute for many years. He died in 1986 and his statue
now stands beside cremation spot just above the institute
Tibetan Refugee Centre
A 20 to 30 minutes walk from Chowrasta through leafy glades
and tea plantations, brings you down to the Tibetan Refugee
Centre. Established in 1959, the centre comprises a home for
the aged, and orphanage, school, hospital and craft
workshops that produce carpets of pure ladakhi wool,
woodcarving, leather work and wool items. The weaving and
dyeing shops and the wood carving shop are particularly
interesting.
Gymkhana Club
The word gymkhana is actually derived from the Hindi
gendkhana (ball house). Games on offer include tennis,
squash, badminton, roller-skating, table tennis and
billiards.
Passenger Ropeway
At north point, about 3 km north of the town, is India's
oldest passenger ropeway. It is 5 km long and connects
Darjeeling with Singla bazaar on the little Ranjeet river at
the bottom of the valley.
Lloyd Botanical Gardens
Below the bus and taxi stand near the market, these gardens
contain a representative collection of Himalayan plants,
flowers and orchids. The hothouses are well worth a visit. |
