Darjeeling The Jewel of Himalayas
Darjeeling is a gorgeous mountain station in the north east part of India where there is a blend of natural beauty, meeting place of colonialism and mix of cultures. Commonly known as the tea town, it is blamed that this hill station is the tea town due to its panoramic views of the Himalayas and the well known Darjeeling Himalayan Railway that has attracted travellers to the area in quest of peace, wilderness and a bid to have a breather off their busy lifestyles, in the big town.
The Magic Mountain Darjeeling
Located in the West Bengal state, Darjeeling is a testimony of the beautiful scenery with thick tea gardens, mountain tops draped in snow and the allure of a prosperous land at an altitude of nearly 2042 metres (6700 feet) above sea level. The town is encircled by the fantastic mountains of Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain in the world that controls the skyline. It seems that the mountains are glowing in the shades of the gold and pink when one watches the sun rising and this sight makes the heart of anyone who visits the area freeze.
This is because of the beauty of the town i.e., the unique climate of this town. Well conducted summers and cold winters makes Darjeeling to possess refreshing weather even in the whole year thus attractive to all seasons. The mornings are misted over and the freshness of the air which carries breezes of the crispness of the autumn is a quiet feeling which one is most likely to desire when he or she is vacationing to shed off the heat of the plains.
History of tea
Darjeeling can be referred to as the Queen of the Hills,but then again, it can be referred to as a tea. Theor are renowned tea plantations that are highly recognized as the Darjeeling tee gardens that extend to the foothills of Himalayas to deliver some of the best teas in the world. This hazy cool climate together with the special soil formation of the area produces the tea with its familiar taste; light, flowery, and having a muscatel tone to it.
Darjeeling has had the production of over 150 years of tea which constitutes an economical and cultural culture in the region. It also features a number of tea plantations and some, among them, offer tourists to view the sensitive process of plucking, processing, and tasting. The regional tea product is usually sold either as First Flush (spring harvest) or Second Flush (summer harvest), and the two have minor differences. Tea lovers can not waste time in Darjeeling without checking out the tea gardens since they will be able to get the real essence of one of the most popular drinks in this world.
Colonial exotica and Cultural Diversity
Darjeeling is also interesting in terms of cultural fabrics. There are diversity of other people in this town consisting of Nepali, Tibetan, Bengali and Sikkimese communities that have a role in the cultural heritage of this region. This diversity can be reflected with reference to the festivals, food, cultures and daily life aspects. There is an influence of the British colonial rule as well in the form of use of the Victorian-era architecture such as the grand St. Andrews Church and the Darjeeling Railway Station that transports people back in time.
The bustling market and local bazaar even adds color to the mood of Darjeeling. Mall road is the heart of the town that is busting with shops offering local handcrafts, woolen clothes and Maria souvenirs. The town has an active cultural life as well in terms of festivals; the Darjeeling International Film Festival, where world cinema is celebrated, among other such cultural events throughout the year.
History The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: History Take a drive through it.
One of the most famous images of Darjeeling is a historic toy train, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR); it is a toy train that is listed under UNESCO world heritage site. The DHR (also abbreviated on account of its well known nick name as the was the Toy Train) was commissioned in the year 1881 that offers special ingenue along the hilly terrain of Darjeeling. The cog railway (narrow gauge snakes up precipitous slopes) wends through tea plantations and forest and villages that are tiny and picturesome and one that passes through and will not be forgotten. The train travel acts as a direct testimony to the engineering efforts of the past and is a perception into the old history of Darjeeling.
Conclusion
The travel destination of Darjeeling is a place that integrates and synergizes natural beauty, culture and heritage so well with each other. It is not just individually enjoyed by the nature lovers, history lovers or even by those seeking peace in the midst of the mountains, this hill station has it all. Having known of its popular tea gardens and scenic beauty of the Himalayas to unique colonial structures and the colourful social life, Darjeeling still has a positive impact on the people who visit it to be astounded by it. It is the environment where the time can pass slowly and you can get in touch with the nature and the history and become both refreshed and amazed.
