Darjeeling Overview

Darjeeling nestled amidst the snow capped hills of the Himalayas, is popularly known as the Queen of Hill Stations. The jewel town derives its name from the sanskrit word 'Durjay Ling' meaning Siva of invincible prowess, who rules the Himalayas. Darjeeling was gifted to the British East India Company by the King of Sikkim and is a very popular hill resort. The Darjeeling of today as a town was laid out by Napier of the Royal Engineers.

History of Darjeeling: Explored for the first time by the British in the 19th Century, the area was a part of the domain of the Sikkim King. In 18th century it was taken over by the Bhutanrse and the Gurkhas. However the British took control over it after the Anglo Gurkha War and developed this place as a sanatarium for their troops and a pass to Nepal and Tibet. The Sherpas, Gurkhas, Bhutias and the Nepalis dwell the place thronged by national and international tourists.

Location of Darjeeling: Darjeeling is laid amidst the whit snow white caps of the Himalayas in the Siwaliks. It is situated at an elevation of 2134 m or 7000 ft above the sea level. The district of Darjeeling in west Bengal comprises of three districts - Kurseong, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. It is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and the headquarters of the Gorkha Hill Council. It is nestled among the two highest peaks of the Himalayas the Mount Everest and the Kanchenjunga.

Weather of Darjeeling: Darjeeling experiences a typical hilly weather of a very cold winter months which is generally considered as an off season for tourists and pleasant summer weather with the maximum temperature reaching 14.9 degree Celcius and the minimum dropping to 8.6. In winter the temperature further drops to 1.5 degree Celcius making life difficult for the people who prefer coming down to the plains.

Tourism in Darjeeling: Darjeeling is tourist's paradise. Local people thrive on tourism as a source of revenue. Tourist Attractions in Darjeeling is unprecedented, the view of the fabulous snow peaked Kanchenjunga, An exotic view of the sunrise from the Tiger Hill which is the highest point in Darjeeling, the stretches of tea plantations for which Darjeeling is so famous all over. Trek along the rugged relief to Sandakphu for an exquisitely charming view of the Kanchenjunga. A climb to Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri by the Toy Train is a pleasant experience. .

Accommodation in Darjeeling: Being one the main tourist destination of the eastern part of India, the town has developed a large number of tourist accommodation with some renowned hotel groups setting their foot to provide standard facilities for the tourists. There are innumerous hotels and resorts that offer comfortable accommodation for all tourists from extreme luxury to budgeted rooms.

Darjeeling is a sheer delight for all tourists and a nature's creation crafted and shaped by the Britishers who set the ground to establish a town on hill tops.