Darjeeling, which
is internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill stations
in the world, is covered with pine trees, rhododendrons, magnolias,
primulas and orchids. With houses hugging the hill side are
various places to visit, which are of great interest.
1.
Chowrastha:
Chowrastha is the heart of the town where every visitor is
seen taking a stroll and relaxing their weary heads. In the
local dialect, Chowrastha means the place where four roads
meet. While proceeding towards Chowrastha or the Mall, visitors
have to ascend a hill full of curios, studios etc, and suddenly
the visitor finds himself on a huge flat platform surrounded
by benches for people to sit. The view is exhilarating with
the view of the Kanchenjunga standing with all its might.
A walk along the Mall Road opens a beautiful view of the surrounding
hills and if the time is right then rhododendrons can be seen
all around.
2.
Natural History Museum:
Near to Chowrastha is the Museum of Natural History, containing
a representative and comprehensive collection of the fauna
of the region. The specimens are displayed in true to life
attitudes of all birds' species, reptiles and animals found
in different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly
and beetle section merit a special mention.
3.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:
This is the only Zoo in the world to breed Tibetan Wolf in
Captivity and the first South Asian Zoo to breed Snow Leopard
and Siberian Tiger.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is a unique zoo in the country.
It is situated at an elevation of 2133.5 meters against the
glorious background of the mighty Kanchenjunga. This zoo in
Darjeeling is the only specialized zoo in the country and
is internationally recognized because of conservation breeding
of Snow Leopard and Red Panda. It was established on 14th
August 1958 under the Department of Education of the State
for study and conservation of the Himalayan Fauna. On 21st
November 1975, the zoo was dedicated by Shrimati Indira Gandhi,
the then Prime Minister of India, to the memory of Shrimati
Padmaja Naidu, former Governor of West Bengal. Since then
the zoo is known as "Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological
Park".
4.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
"The lure of the Himalayas is spreading now all over
India among our young people, and that is a sign and symbol
of the new life and the new spirit that is coursing through
India's veins"
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Everest (8848 m/29,028 ft) along
with Edmund Hillary, in 1953 provided the impetus to mountaineering
as an organised sport in India, and it was to commemorate
this singular success that the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute (HMI) was founded in Darjeeling with the personal
initiative of Late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime
Minister of India. The Institute was established on 4th
November 1954, which was then the hub center of all mountaineering
activity in India. Late Maj N.D. Jayal was the first Principal
of the Institute whereas Late Tenzing Norgay was Director
of Field Training. The Institute is located at an altitude
of 6800 feet above sea level.
The Institute is the landmark in Darjeeling and an important
center of tourist attraction. It commands a magnificent
view of Kanchenjunga massif. The Swiss Foundation for Alpine
Research was approached to prepare a scheme for the HMI
and Arnold Glatthard, Principal of Swiss Mountaineering
School, Rosenlaui, visited Darjeeling for this purpose.
5.
Shrubbery Park:
This beautiful park situated on the top of a hill is on
the way to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
A magnificent view of Kanchenjunga Range and Singla Valley
is unforgettable. People are of the opinion that it is shaped
like a ship especially "Titanic".
6.
Observatory Hill:
The Hill feature above Chowrastha and a few minutes walk
from the Mall Road, on which the Sacred Mahakal temple rests.
Mahakal is considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Adjacent to Mahakal temple is a Buddhist Shrine, manifesting
the complete harmony that exists between Hinduism and Buddhism.
