by Darjeeling is a hill station in the Indian state of West Bengal. The place has been a tourist destination since 1837 when the British established a survey office in East Bengal, which covered cities like Darjeeling and Siliguri. While largely composed of natural beauty, Darjeeling is not restricted to one specific place or any specific tourist attraction.
Instead, it offers an endless array of opportunities for visitors to explore and appreciate its scenic beauty. Some well-known sites that tourists visit are the Malla Monastery, Phansi Mosque, and Ghumata Gompa monastery among others which afford them panoramic views of the hills from their highest points on Kedarnath Hill and Singalila Ridge respectively. The best time to visit Darjeeling is April to June.
The Malla Monastery is considered to be the most important Buddhist monument in the Darjeeling district. It is said to have been built by King Gorap, who ruled there in the middle of the 18th century. Buddhist worship continues at this monastery, offering visitors a taste of ancient Buddhist culture and heritage. Not far from this monastery is Phansi Mosque which was constructed between 1863 and 1866. The combination of neo-Gothic and Bengal architecture makes it one of the most beautiful buildings in Darjeeling.
Things to do in Darjeeling
Ghumata Gompa Monastery is one of the most popular attractions in Darjeeling. This monastery, located at an elevation of 4000 ft, provides a panoramic view of the Ghum and Darjeeling town. Then there are the Raj Bhavan gardens, the Zoological garden, and famous tea gardens like the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary that add to this area’s overall beauty.
The Kangchenjunga peak is also visible from Darjeeling at a height of 8586 m. This peak is located on the border between India and Nepal. The Malla Monastery is one of the most famous Buddhist monuments in Darjeeling. It has been built by King Gorap, who ruled there from 1784 to 1835. The cremation of the king was carried out in this monastery. The Malla Monastery is a popular place for cultural programs and discourses and also houses a large collection of Buddhist scriptures and an old manuscript repository. Before planning your visit make sure you keep insigh the best time to visit Darjeeling.
Everest is visible from Darjeeling at a height of 8167 m.
The lesser-known Singalila Ridge offers panoramic views that are also open to tourists as well as easy trails with scenic views on the way to Ghumata Gompa Monastery. You can also follow the trekking trails to the lovely Kabristan and Bhajani caves or to the various viewpoints, which are situated near the Ghumata Gompa Monastery. The views of Kanchenjangn and other lesser-known peaks from the high points overlooking Darjeeling town below, however, remain some of the best in Darjeeling and are useful in measuring out distances across the Himalayas.
Chowrasta, also known as Zero Point is a busy intersection of roads and hills. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Darjeeling. This is a point where the Singalila Ridge, which is usually a hidden treasure of Darjeeling, touches the main road. This makes it one of the most convenient tourist spots in the entire hill station with wonderful views across Darjeeling town and beyond.
Malla Monastery is located at an elevation of 2440 m above sea level on Kanchenjunga (8586 meters), Nearer Malla Monastery and Ghumata Gompa Monastery are at different altitudes.
This monastery is considered to be the most important Buddhist monument in the Darjeeling district. The Malla Monastery was built by King Gorap, who ruled there around 1700 AD. The monastery is dedicated to Lord Buddha. Historical records prove that this monastery was built in 1718. The oldest temple of the complex was built in the 13th century. This temple has a Shiva and Vishnu statue at its entrance.
The Malla Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the Darjeeling district. It was built by King Gorap, who ruled there for approximately 28 years from 1784 to 1835 CE. Buddhist worship continues at this monastery, offering visitors an insight into ancient Buddhist culture and heritage of the Darjeeling district. The Malla Monastery is located at an elevation of 2440 m above sea level on Kanchenjunga (8586 meters), Nearer Malla Monastery and Ghumata Gompa Monastery are at different altitudes.
Ghumata Gompa is a famous monastery in the Darjeeling district. This monastery was built by the Bhutia community and moved to the area in the mid-19th century. The monastery has two entrances, one for men and one for women. The Ghumata Gompas are known for their boisterous festivals. The most important festival is the one held on 31st of July or 1st of August every year. Ghumata Gompa Monastery is one of the most popular attractions in Darjeeling and can be reached after an easy trek. The Ghumata Gompa Monastery is situated at an elevation of 4,400 ft. This monastery, located at an elevation of 4000 ft, provides a panoramic view of the Ghum and Darjeeling town below.
Gangtok, popularly known as Gateway to Sikkim, is a beautiful city in Sikkim state with a rich history and culture. Due to its proximity to the border, Sikkim has a very distinct culture and is thus gaining popularity among tourists. Gangtok is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sikkim. The city is situated at an altitude of 1505 m above sea level. The best time to visit Darjeeling is April to June!
Tourist spots in Sikkim
Dhankuta Ghats and Namchi Hanging Bridge: Namchi lies at a distance of 10 km from Namchi town. It is also known as the “Namchi Town” and also “Namche”, and lies at an elevation of 1796 m above sea level, at an altitude of almost 4500 feet above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Sikkim. In this place, the mountains rise to a height of about 3500 feet.
You can have a view of snow-capped mountains from here. From Namchi Hanging Bridge, there is a very wonderful view of Namche peak (23,575 ft) and Mt Khangchendzonga (27,534 ft). This bridge also has an exquisite design. It consists of three pieces, which are connected by ropes and beams and rise by 9 meters above the water level. Its span stretches to 16 m from each side with 3 arches at both ends and the width is 1.5 m at the center section with 2 pillars at both ends for support.
Conclusion
Darjeeling attracts tourists from all around the globe because of its cultural and religious value, as well as its natural beauty that makes it a perfect place for weekend getaways and honeymoon destination
Darjeeling is situated in the subtropical highland climate region of West Bengal, which lies in the western part of India, between the Teesta River which divides West Bengal from Sikkim and Bhutan, and Kalimpong district borders Tibet. Before planning your visit, please make sure you keep insight the best time to visit Darjeeling.
