[86][89][90], There are 52 primary schools, 67 high schools and 5 colleges in the town. [9], The history of Darjeeling is intertwined with that of Sikkim, Nepal, British India, and Bhutan. [8] The name Darjeeling acclaimed from the Tibetan words Dorje, which is the thunderbolt sceptre of the Hindu deity Indra, and ling, which means "a place" or "land". Summit Grace Hotel & Spa. The Kiranti Rai people (Khambus) celebrate their annual Sakela festivals of Ubhauli and Udhauli, and  Deusi and Bhaileni are songs performed by men and women respectively, during the festival of Tihar. The recorded history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the colonial administration under the British Raj set up a sanatorium and a military depot in the region. [5], The predominant religions of Darjeeling are Hinduism and Buddhism, followed by Christianity. Price: INR. Tourist inflow into Darjeeling had been affected by the political instability in the region, and agitations in the 1980s and 2000s hit the tourism industry hard. Darjeeling has several British-style private schools, which attract pupils from all over India and a few neighbouring countries. The culture of Darjeeling is diverse and includes a variety of indigenous practices and festivals as mentioned above. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. Darjeeling is famous throughout the world for the tea it grows and the great view of … Until the early 19th century, the hilly area around Darjeeling was controlled by the Kingdom of Sikkim[10] with the settlement consisting of a few villages of the Lepcha, and Kirati people. Almost all of the primary schools are now maintained by Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council. The district's forests and other natural wealth have been adversely affected by an ever-growing population. Darjeeling is popularly known as the Mecca of tea making it an important Darjeeling tourist place that people visit during their trip from Darjeeling to Gangtok. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, located 90 km (56 mi) from Darjeeling. [32][71] However, since 2012, Darjeeling has once again witnessed a steady inflow of both domestic and international tourists. The elected members of this body are authorised to manage certain affairs of the hills, including education, health and tourism. The Darjeeling region of India is famous for its black teas, but they should actually be called oolong teas. Famous People from Darjeeling. [43] The average annual precipitation is 2,380 mm (94 in), with an average of 105 days of rain in a year. [45][46] Though not very common, the city receives snow at least once during the three winter months of December, January and February. The soil is chiefly composed of sandstone and conglomerate formations, which are the solidified and upheaved detritus of the great range of Himalaya. The most popular things to do in Darjeeling with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Tickets & Tours‎, Happy Valley Tea Estate: Tickets & Tours‎, Things to do near Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Things to do near Jhandi Dara Sunrise Point, Things to do near Silver Star Boutique Hotel by Sumi Yashshree, Things to do near Sumitel Suites & Spa by Sumi Yashshree, Things to do near Wonder Woods Boutique Hotel by Sumi Yashshree, Things to do near Arcadia Heritage Resort, Things to do near Hideout Backpackers Hostel, Things to do near OYO 61414 Zimba Happy Home Stay, See all attractions in Darjeeling on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in Darjeeling on Tripadvisor, Day Trip to Singalila (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling), Full-Day Private Darjeeling Sightseeing including Optional Tiger Hill, An Excursion into the World of the famous Darjeeling Tea, See all day trips from Darjeeling on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in Darjeeling on Tripadvisor. [68], Darjeeling had become an important tourist destination as early as 1860. The town often suffers from power outages and the electrical supply voltage is unstable, making voltage stabilisers popular with many households. Darjeeling is famous for WHAT..???? [14], During the British Raj, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station for British residents seeking to escape the summer heat of the plains. [88] Tea (especially butter tea) is the most popular delicacy. This is attributed to the unique climatic conditions of the place. Premlata Agarwal Age: N/A #Mountaineer. [29] Agitation for a separate state continued through the 1980s,[30] included violent protests during the 1986–88 period. [55] Small mammals found in the region include small Indian civets, mongooses and badgers. Darjeeling is well known for quite a few items, mainly their large selection of tea and woollen items such as shawls, scarves, hats and jackets. Full-Day Private Darjeeling Sightseeing including Optional Tiger Hill [28], The creation of a new state of Sikkim in 1975, along with the reluctance of the Government of India to recognise Nepali as an official language under the Constitution of India, brought the Gorkhaland movement to the forefront. [34] The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snowcapped Himalayan ranges tower over the town at distance. Darjeeling is … Darjeeling has seen a significant growth in its population, its decadal growth rate being 47% between 1991 and 2001. However, since 2012, Darjeeling has once again witnessed a steady inflow of both domestic and international tourists. This resulted in the territory between the Arun River and the Teesta River being part of Yakthung Laje Limbuwan. [15] Darjeeling became the formal summer capital of the Bengal Presidency after 1864. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the city falls under seismic zone-IV, (on a scale of I to V, in order of increasing proneness to earthquakes) near the convergent boundary of the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates and is subject to frequent earthquakes. All these provide a regional distinctness to Darjeeling's local culture from the rest of India. This Himalayan Railway is popularly called as the toy train by the locals. [34] Various efforts made to augment the water supply, including the construction of a third storage reservoir in 1984, have failed to yield desired results. #2 Best Value of 596 places to stay in Darjeeling. [51] The fauna found in Darjeeling includes several species of ducks, teals, plovers and gulls that pass Darjeeling while migrating to and from Tibet. Apart from tea, the other thing that Darjeeling is famous for is its historic toy train. The district is famous for its hill station Darjeeling tea. Increasing demand has led to a worsening shortfall in water supply; just over 50% of the town's households are connected to the municipal water supply system. [67] More than 60% of workers in the tea gardens are women. Bollywood movies such as Aradhana (1969), Main Hoon Na (2004), Parineeta (2005) and more recently Barfi! 9,182 reviews. Though Darjeeling became peaceful, the issue of a separate state lingered, fuelled in part by the lack of comprehensive economic development in the region even after the formation of the DGHC. [23], During the Indian independence movement, the Non-cooperation movement spread through the tea estates of Darjeeling. Water collected is routed through stone conduits to two lakes that were constructed in 1910 and 1932, from where it is piped to the town after purification at the Jorebungalow filtration plant. Pradhan R.M., compiled, Continuous Political Struggle for a separate Constitutionl status of Ceded Land of Darjeeling and Leasehold land of Kalimpong, Published by Department of Information & Cultural Affairs,DGHS.(1996). Darjeeling’s popularity has grown since the time of the British Rule, especially when it was established as their summer capital. Earlier Darjeeling … Darjeeling Tea Tasting and Lunch ₹3,500.00 per adult. [19] It is reported to be the only location in eastern India that witnesses large numbers of foreign tourists. [14], In 1828, a delegation of the British East India Company (BEIC) officials on its way to the Nepal-Sikkim border stayed in Darjeeling and decided that the region was a suitable site for a sanatorium for British soldiers. Presently, around 50,000 foreign and 500,000 domestic tourists visit Darjeeling each year, and its repute as the "Queen of the Hills" remains unaltered. Complete with a wide variety of activities for families to enjoy this tourist destination at Darjeeling. By the beginning of the 19th century, they had overrun Sikkim as far eastward as the Teesta River and had conquered and annexed the Terai and the entire area now belonged to Nepal. [26], Socio-economic problems of the region that had not been addressed during the British Raj continued to linger and were reflected in a representation made to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1947, which highlighted the issues of regional autonomy and Nepali nationality in Darjeeling and adjacent areas. Sinclairs Darjeeling. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Darjeeling Toy Train, is a prominent crowd-puller in the beautiful hill station of West Bengal. [58] The colonial town was designed for a population of only 10,000, and subsequent growth has created extensive infrastructural and environmental problems. Darjeeling is famous for tea and tourism. Darjeeling, known as the Queen of the City of Shell. The top attractions to visit in Darjeeling are: What are the best outdoor activities in Darjeeling? According to the treaty, Nepal had to cede all those territories annexed from the Chogyal of Sikkim to the British East India Company (i.e. Darjeeling is famous for tea and buying locally made of tea powder is a great idea. Darjeeling Carnival, initiated by a civil society movement known as The Darjeeling Initiative, is a ten-day carnival held yearly during the winter with portrayal of the Darjeeling Hill's musical and cultural heritage as its central theme.[83]. [74] However, road and railway communications often get disrupted in the monsoons because of landslides. The etymological term of Darjeeling is denoted "Tajenglung", a Yakthung Limbu terminology that means the stones that "talk to each other", according to the historian Sankarhang Subba of Darjeeling. Darjeeling known for the spectacular views it offers on the Himalayas, earned it the title “Queen of the Himalayas.” Darjeeling is regarded as a centre of music and a niche for musicians and music admirers. the area between Mechi River and Teesta River). Buddhist ethnic groups which include the Tibetans, Lepchas, Bhutias, Sherpas, Yolmos, Gurungs, and Tamangs celebrate their new year, called Losar, in January/February, Maghe Sankranti, Chotrul Duchen and Tendong Lho Rumfaat. Although it's locally known as dalle, a popular brand is known as Darjeeling Hills Pickles. [84] Darjeeling also has a Peace Pagoda that was built in 1992 by the Japanese Buddhist organisation Nipponzan Myohoji. Many visit this place for food specialities like momos, steamed stick rice, and other steamed foods famous in this region, as well as to see the natural beauty of the area. From 1897 to the early 1990s, Darjeeling was powered by hydroelectricity from the nearby Sidrapong Hydel Power Station, and it was the first town in India supplied with hydropower. We have reviews of the best places to see in Darjeeling. The best day trips from Darjeeling according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Darjeeling with kids? Kangchenjunga. The #1 Best Value of 596 places to stay in Darjeeling. Many of the Nepali Hindus, as well as the various Buddhist and other ethnic groups such as the Lepchas, Bhutias, Kiranti Limbus, Tibetans, Yolmos, Gurungs, and Tamangs, have their own distinct languages and cultures and yet share a largely harmonious co-existence. On a summer day, the fragrance of tea leaves lifts off the hills and hover over Darjeeling like a hat and the wonderful things breathes unsaid inside that, like the bent trees, the happy earthworms, the reluctant tea-colored puddles, flowering Rhododendrons and Magnolia plants and the wild garden flowers blooming in different colors of rainbow and a British bungalow growing a fragile façade of … The official languages of Darjeeling are Bengali and Nepali. [58] The population density of the municipal area was 10,173 inhabitants per square kilometre (26,350/sq mi). Darjeeling District is the northernmost district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. Show Prices. Reviewed 1 March 2016 The … Colonial architecture characterises many buildings in Darjeeling, exemplified by several mock Tudor residences, Gothic churches, the Raj Bhawan, Planters' Club and various educational institutions. The two most significant contributors to Darjeeling's economy are tourism and the tea industry. It is located in the Lesser Himalayas at an elevation of 2,000 metres (6,700 ft). The hoots and hisses of this train ride transport you back in time and this comparatively slow moving train gives you ample time to take in the beauty of each scenery. The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu comprising Lepcha, Khampa, Gorkha, Newar, Sherpa, Bhutia, Bengali[7] and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. ", "Darjeeling Weather & Best Time to Visit", "Snowfall in Darjeeling after ten years thrill tourists", "White carpets wrap hill town, Tiger Hill and Ghoom", "Himalayan Tahrs, Blue sheep for Darjeeling Zoo arrive from Japan", "Sustainable Development in the Darjeeling Hill Area", "Snow leopard, red panda get new conservation centre in Darjeeling", "Table-4 Population, Decadal Growth Rate, Density and General Sex Ratio by Residence and Sex, West Bengal/ District/ Sub District, 1991 and 2001", "Table-3 District Wise List of Statutory Towns (Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Notified Area and Cantonment Board), Census Towns and Outgrowths, West Bengal, 2001", "Economy-India: Famed Darjeeling Tea Growers Eye Tourism for Survival", "Darjeeling: Where the journey is the destination", "Darjeeling hills showing highly positive tourist inflow picture", "Top 10 Indian destinations searched on Google in 2015 : Plus List, News - India Today", "NH wise Details of NH in respect of Stretches entrusted to NHAI", "World Heritage Committee: Report of the 23rd Session, Marrakesh, 1999", "Darjeeling ropeway reopens after more than 8 yrs", "Urban agglomerations/cities having population 1 lakh and above", "Darjiling District Religion Data - Census 2011", "The Nature-centric Culture of the Nepalese", "Traditional Fermented Foods and Beverages of Darjeeling", Revolutionary movement for Indian independence, List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Darjeeling&oldid=999037758, Wikipedia pending changes protected pages, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2011, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Pages using Sister project links with default search, Articles with Encyclopædia Britannica links, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 January 2021, at 05:21. Buddhist monasteries showcase the pagoda style architecture. Residents also use two-wheelers and hired taxis for travelling short distances. Tea cultivation was started here as early as 1841. Both the town and the district is famous as one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. It is also a popular tourist destination in India. [22], Under the British Raj, the Darjeeling area was initially a "Non-Regulation District", a scheme of administration applicable to economically less advanced districts in the British India; acts and regulations of the British Raj did not automatically apply to the district in line with the rest of the country. [11] Arthur Campbell, a surgeon with the company, and Lieutenant Robert Napier were responsible for establishing a hill station there. [32] It is also a popular filming destination for Bollywood and Bengali cinema. [11][19] In 1848, a military depot was set up for British soldiers, and the town became a municipality in 1850. The Darjeeling railway is fondly known as “Toy Train” because of its two-foot narrow gauge track. Later in 1817, through the Treaty of Titalia, the British East India Company reinstated the Chogyal of Sikkim, restored all the tracts of land between the River Mechi and the River Teesta to the Chogyal of Sikkim and guaranteed his sovereignty. What are the top attractions to visit in Darjeeling? [87] Fermented foods include preparations of soybean, bamboo shoots, milk and Sel roti, which is made from rice. [3][58] The municipality consists of a board of councillors elected from each of the 32 wards of Darjeeling town as well as a few members nominated by the state government. #3 Best Value of 596 places to stay in Darjeeling. [32] In July 2011, a pact was signed between GJM, the Government of West Bengal and the Government of India which includes the formation of a new autonomous, elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a hill council endowed with more powers than its predecessor Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.