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Darjeeling - A travel report by Jayanta
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Darjeeling,  India - flag India -  Assam
3281 readers

jayanta's travel reports

Bengali Sangrila

  8 votes
If there is one place besides Calcutta which makes a Bengali homesick, it must be Darjeeling. Blending of the Gorkha way of life: upright, honest, musical; Bengali influence: cultured, understated, educated; British roots: grandeur, convents, occidental.


Darjeeling is about magic and mystique. The Kanchenjhungha is the living and reighning deity in Darjeeling. the viewing of the mountain is a divine experience, and the clear and misty days are interwoven in a matrix of vagaries that only the weather god can prophesy. This is an intregral part of the Darjeeling experience --- whether you see or not see Kanchenjhungha defines your ecstasy or depression. This holds true so much so that Satyajit Ray, the Lifetime-Achievement--Oscar-winning Bengali film-maker, made an acclaimed fiim on the subject, Kanchenjhungha. It deals with the twists and turns of Human life, thrown in sharper profile by an ever-present allusion to the viewing (or not) of Kanchendjungha. Darjeeling is not a hill-station. It is a way of life, a perspective into the way the world is, and a wholistic experience which encompasses spirituality and existence.

Favourite spots:
Tiger Hill, the Mall Road, the walk to St. Paul's. The heritage rail travel from Darjeeling to Ghoom to darjeeling, via Batasia loop. the Ropeway. especially, just lazing at the Mall in the late afternoon sun! Glenary's for lunch and Keventer's Rooftop for breakfast. The most amazing place is offcourse the darjeeling zoo, with its Siberian Tigers!

What's really great:
The Gorkha children. They are just rays of sunshine, even on misty days!! The politeness and honesty of the Gorkhas, the Chetris, the Sherpas, the Bhutias and the colourfulness of the Tibetans. the food is amazing.. all cuisine is available.

Accommodations:
Stayed in Old Belleview Hotel at the ridge above the Mall. Later, changed to Dekeling Hotel beside Planter's Club, opposite Keventer's restaurant. Both are excellent.

Hangouts:
Glenary's, no questions about the wonderful and distinctive ambience!

Restaurants:
Glenary's, Keventer's and The Park, which is just opposite The huge State Bank of India building, if you are walking down to the rauilway station. This place serves very good Indian cuisine and is excellent in cleanlieness.

Other recommendations:
Visit Mirik and Kurseong if you are at Darjeeling. Both can be done on separate days and are a few hours drive away downhill.

Published on Thursday August 19th, 2004


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Fri, Jan 27 2017 - 07:20 AM rating by adisidh

nice report - put pictures in your report

Fri, Aug 20 2004 - 09:11 AM rating by ravinderkumarsi

nice report ,put some pic too

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