Overview

Darjeeling conjures visions of snow peaks, serenity of vibrant green hills steeped in splendour, a land of breath taking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. Flaming red rhododendrons, sparkling white magnolias, miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir – all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS. The crest of Kanchenjunga shining in the first dawn light truly supports the title.

Darjeeling beckons thousands today for a leisurely respite from the bustle of the madding crowd. The traveller – whether a tourist or a trekker, an ornithologist or a photographer, a botanist or an artist – will find in Darjeeling an experience which will remain etched in one’s memory – forever.

Culture & Heritage

People

The original inhabitants of the Darjeeling Hills were Lepchas or Rongpa (the ravine folks) as they prefer themselves to be known as. Though their origin is obscure, they are decidedly Mongolian in feature. The Khampas, another branch of the Lepchas, are warrior-like and more dashing than their docile cousins. The Khampas are recent immigrants from Tibet. The greater bulk of the people in the Hills are Gorkhas . They are industrious and enterprising as a race and speak various dialects. The short Mongolian type Nepalese, the Gorkhas, renowned for their military prowess the world over, and the first to be decorated with the coveted Victoria Cross, finds jobs and security both in the British and Indian armies. They carry the traditional weapon, the Khukri-a curved ornamental knife. Among the population are also the Newars or best known, the world over as the Sherpas. They are well known for their courage, stamina and surefootedness and for their immeasurable contributions to Mountaineering. Also much in evidence in the Hills are the Bhutias and they are divided into Tibetan, Bhutan, Dharma and Sikkimese Bhutias and a greater bulk of Bengalee from Siliguri subdivision.

Nepali Folk Dances

The Nepalese are rich in folk culture. The hills and dales are the treasure house of songs and dances of the hill folk. There is not a moment in their lives, possessed as they are of a lyrical mind and heart that does not turn into singing and dancing.

The panorama of the Majestic Himalayan mountains, its lush green hills and forests seem to have played a significant role in influencing the religion and culture including the folk songs and dances of the Nepalese people, inhabiting in and around the Himalayan regions with its serene, romantic and poetic shades of different hues. Even the two major religions. viz., Hinduism and Buddhism, seem to have influenced the Nepali culture full of its rich folks songs and dances, co-existing side by side.

The earlier cave paintings, religious rites and temple songs and dances have also played another significant role in influencing Nepalese Folks songs and dances. The earlier form of dances and folk songs attributed to the Gods and goddesses of both the Hindu and Buddhist pantheon, are also inspirational in creating Nepalese folk songs and dances, impressions of religious dances performed either to appease Gods and goddesses or ward-off the evil spirits can also be seen distinctly in performing arts of the Nepalese people.

The following are some of the most popular and worth mentioning forms of Nepali folk dances.

• Maruni Nach.
• Dhan Naach.
• Jhankri Naach.
• Jatra Naach.
• Damphu Naach.
• Khukuri Naach.
• Deora Naach.
• Panchay Naach.
• Dhimay Naach.
• Sanginy Naach.
• Balan Naach.
• Jhyauray Naach.
• Paschimay Chutki.
• Rodhighar Naach.
• Baton Naach.
• Jhumara Naach.
• Sakhia Naach.

Language

Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and English are the prevailing languages. Bengali is the language of the plains, Tibetan is used by the refugees and some other tribal people.

Religion

Hinduism, Buddhism and to an extent Christianity, remain the predominant religions here.

Food

Pamper your taste buds with the exotic but homely food and discover a mosaic of culture while satiating your gastronomical needs.

Whether it is the ubiquitous momos or thupkas whose fabled taste has transcended across the Himalayas along with the migrant Tibetans or the lemon grass menu from south-east Asia,Darjeeling offers you the best.

Momo

Meat dumplings which are steamed and accompanied by a bowl of clear soup and achaar. One can also order for vegetable momos in which the meat is ideally replaced by cabbage and other vegetables.

Thupkas

Tibetan noodles mixed with egg/meat, vegetables with a predominant soup base.

Shaphalay

Tibetan bread stuffed with meat.

Aludum

Typical indian potato preparation which the hill people cannot do without.

Tibetan tea

Salt tea which is mixed with butter which has its own distinct taste.

Tongba

Local brew made from millet and has to be sipped through a bamboo straw. Usually found in the local haat(fair) held on sunday near the Rock Garden.

Architecture

Developed by the British, many buildings of British style architecture can be found here. Apart from these, the Tibetan influence is very noticeable in the buildings of the monasteries.

Festivals

In addition to Durga Puja, Diwali, Saraswati Puja and Shivratri etc., there are local festivals unique only to this region. The Lepchas and Bhutias celebrate the New Year in January, while the Tibetans have their Devil Dances to celebrate their New Year in their monasteries from the last week of February to March. As in the Chinese tradition the snake or dragon dances curl through the streets. In mid-June, processions celebrate the birthday of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama.

Houses are decorated and spirits start building up for Diwali eve when the festival commences. Lasting two weeks, it consists of Lakshmi Puja, Bhailo, Deosi and Bhai Tika. There are robust folk dances with the males participating enthusiastically in the ‘Chabrung’ of the Libus, the Tamangs dance, ‘Damfu’, and the most popular of them all, the scintillating Maruni. Gay folk songs fill the air with ‘Jhowre’ relating to the lover, and the ‘Juhari’ which throws questions and answers between the lovesick couple. The ‘Rosia’ is sung in the fields, the ‘Baloon’ extols the deeds of the Mahabharata and ‘Malsiri’ is kept for the Durga Puja. The ‘Rateli’ are nursery rhymes set to music. It seems that the people have saved all their energy for these two weeks which are filled with great rejoicing.

Handicrafts

The culture of the hill people of Darjeeling are uniquely expressed in the exquisite and inimitable artistic handicrafts of the district and their traditional colourful designs, which show marked resemblance to the art of neighbouring Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. Among the artistic crafts, ornaments, trinkets and handlooms are worth mentioning. There is also fine craftsmanship in wood-work and bamboo fret work. While the principal utility products are blankets, woolen knitted garments and woven fabrics, the artistic products are hand-bags, wall panels, fire-screens, folding partitions, Bhutan paintings, cotton shoulder-bags etc. Beautiful curios are made at Darjeeling and Kalimpong on copper plates studded with red and blue stones with engravings of replicas of deities. Wonderful Tankas with paintings depicting the life of Lord Buddha are also available. Woolen carpets are made in a combination of shades in vegetable and synthetic dyes. Bhutia chaddars can be found in beautiful textures. Decorative Nepali khukris are made in Ghum. Bedroom slippers and rope-sole shoes, jackets, hats, hanzu coats made from handloom cloth and masks are among the many items which attract tourists and curio collectors.

Adventures in Darjeeling:-

Route No 1:

This trek is perhaps one of the best and certainly the most popular of all the treks in Darjeeling for those having a limited time at their disposal. It offers the travellers an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga and the Everest group of mountain peaks in Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.

It is advisable to start the trek early in the day and to cover ther distance from Darjeeling to Maneybhanjyang about 26 km. by jeep/buses. One can also go upto Sukhiapokhri, halfway from Darjeeling since transport to this point is easily available and from here to Maneybhanjyang either by jeep/buses or one can even trek from here to Maneybhanjyang(4 km). The drive from Darjeeling to Sukhiapokhri is about one hour and from there to Maneybhanjyang another half an hour.

Maneybhanjyang to Tonglu is a steep climb up to Meghma 7 km or 3.5 hrs. walk. There is a small tea house where tea and snacks are available at reasonable price(if necessary, accomodation is also available at Meghma Tea House). Meghma is a small hamlet with few houses & small Monastery & impressive Chorten(stupa). Meghma to Tonglu is anothere 2 kms.

Tonglu or the local name Tumling is 3070 mt. high and is one of peaks of Singalila range, falls on the West of Darjeeling town. On a clear day one can get a fine view of the Nepalese valleys and of the plains of North Bengal with the snow fed Teesta on the east, the Koshi on the West and a number of smaller rivers between them. There is a Trekkers Hut at Tonglu.

The next day’s march from Tonglu to Gairibas 2621 mt. is downhill. The distance is 9 km and it is 2 hrs. walk. The route passes through the bamboo glades. Gairibas to Kalipokhri 3170 mt. is continuous climb through the rhododendron forest. Distance is 6 km and it takes 3 hrs. walk from Gairibas. Trekkers may stop here for a while for a tea break. There is a small pond at Kalipokhri which means ‘Blackpond’. The colour of the water is black and muddy and it never freezes. From Kalipokhri the road descends to Bikhaybhanjyang-valley of poison-(Aconites grow in abundance at this place). Bikhaybhanjyang to Sandakphu is a steep climb of 4 kms. and takes more than an hour to cover this trek. Accomodation is also available at Bikhaybhanjyang and Gairibas. There is a trekkers hut at Gairibas.

Sandakphu 3636 mtr. is 58 km. from Darjeeling and commands one of the most spectacular views. In the foreground is a great basin set in the midst of the hills, the slopes covered with rhododendrons and silver fir trees. In the background is continuous barrier of snowy mountains, the most prominent of which is Kanchenjunga-28156 ft. 8598 mts. towering up in gigantic height and breadth with its attendant peaks Kabru 7338 mts. 24,026 ft, Jano (Kumbhakarna) 7710 mts. 25,294 ft. and Pandim 6691 mts. 22,010 ft. clustering closely round it. Kabru is foreshortened and does not present the same graceful outline above the spectacle with its lofty peak standing up like a great icy horn. Far off to the west at a distance of 160 km. among a group of other snowy mountain rising from graceful peaks of Everest group can be seen,behind the crest of Mt. Makalu, which looks like a great armed chair of snow; and further to the west towards Nepal, there is a wonderful square mass of mountain looking like a wal of snow Chamlang 7317m-24006 ft. The contrast between Everest and Kanchenjunga is very marked. Kanchenjunga is remarkable for its imposing bulk and massive proportions while Everest soaring above a series of valleys and its ridges, is more graceful and majestic. The space between the two is occupied by snowy ranges. Three Sisters which cluster together if you look towards east beyond Kanchenjunga you will see Narsing and then the Dongkya and Chola ranges of the Tibetan frontier with Chumalhari lifting up to its heads in the rear. The whole snowy ranges of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal about 320 kms in length; is visible, but the panoroma is completely dominated by the Kanchenjunga and Everest group.

Kanchenjunga-correctly spelt is Khangchendzonga is the third highest mountain in the world means “Five Treasures of the Great Snow” and is a guardian deity of the Sikkimese.

From the middle of April til 1st week of June this region blushes with rhododendron bloom and spread with carpet of lovely primula and other alpine flowers. Trekkers can stay at the Trekkers Hut in Sandakphu.

The return march to Maneybhanjyang may be accomplished either in a day or two breaking journey either at Gairibas or Tonglu, depending on the physical condition of the Trekkers and the time at his disposal. If the first alternative is chosen, the journey must commence latest by 7 a.m. It takes about 8 hours of continous march to Maneybhanjyang

Route No 2:

Upto Sandakphu is in route

If the trekkers have sufficient time next day they can march further towards Phalut 3600 mts. It is one of the loftiest peak in the Singalila Range is situated 80 km. North West of Darjeeling town. The name Phalut is a corruption of the Lepcha word Fak-Lut or the peeled summit and appellation derived from the bare treeless slopes, which offer a great contrast to the forest clad ranges below. The peak is also called Phalilung by the local people.

The stretch from Sandakphu to Phalut is the most spectacular of the trek. The burned silver-fir forest makes most beautiful sight one will ever left come across. After walking for a little while the trekker will be followed by the Everest group on the left and Kanchenjunga range right ahead. A walk of about 4.5 hrs. from Sandakphu the trekker will come across a stone house with blown of roof on the top of a small ridge. The place is known as Sabarkum and is 14 km. from Sandakphu. An alternative place of stay is MOLLEY Trekkers Hut about 2 k.m. from Sabarkum, for those who do not want to walk to Phalut the same day. Keeping the ridge on the left follow the trail north ward. After about an hour the trail begins to climb through a series of zigzag till one reaches Trekkers’ Hut. From here Phalut summit is about 20 minutes walk.

A magnificient view of snowy range is obtained from the summit which is also trijunction of Sikkim, West Bengal and Nepal. The general panorama is same as seen from Sandakphu except that KanchenJunga ranges looks much larger and closer. It is only 48 km. away as the crow flies. The trekkers will also notice on the foreground Singalila range jutting out of Kanchenjunga peak. There is a Trekkers Hut at Phalut. Trekkers can camp at Molley 1,811 mts. Phalut is 1.5 hours walk from this point

Darjeeling-Maneybhanjyang-Gairibas-Sandakphu-Phalut-Rammam-Rimbick 130 km(6 days) upto Phalut .

From Phalut to Rammam therw are two routes :

• via Sabarkam
• via Gorkhey-Samandin.

Route No 3:

To take in this route, retrace back to Sabarkum and turn left of ther roofless houses. This trail passes through the virgin forest which is steep down-hill to Rammam. This takes about 5 hrs. walk and 16 k.m. in distance. From Phalut, the right hand trail lead to Srikhola and climbs up to Daragaon and again descends to Rimbick. It takes about 8 hrs. walk and 25 k.m. in distance from Phalut.

Note : Do not venture this trail during winter i.e. November and March as it gets dark by 4 p.m. and will be difficult to find the way.

Route No 4:

From Phalut the trail descends the ridge through the virgin forests of chestnut, pines, hemlock etc. till the trail reaches the meeting of two streams called Gorkhey Khola which is a tributary of Rammam river. It ia a beautiful place. Trekkers can enjoy the bath in the river after the hectic trek begins to climb upto Samandian-a lovely plateau and it is a small forest village. From Samandin the road descends to a small stream and again climbs up for another 1.5 hrs. to Rammam Trekkers hut. This is about 5 hours walk or 15 km. in distance from Phalut.

From Rammam the road is almost level walk for about first 9 km. and again it descends to Srikhola. The road rises steep, for about 1 k.m. where it levels out again till it reaches Rimbick. There is a small bazar at Rimbick. Incase the Trekkers desire to return to Darjeeling by bus next day, it is advisable to stay at Rimbick bazar.

Darjeeling-Rimbick-Sandakphu and back 123 kms. Four days.

From Darjeeling to Rimbick regular buses are available around 12:30 p.m. It is about 5 hrs. drive and 54 km. from Darjeeling.

Route No 5:

Darjeeling to Rimbick regular buses and jeeps are available around 7 and 12 noon-12:30 p.m. It is about 5 hrs. drive and 54 K.M. from Darjeeling.

Next day’s march, is continuous climb through the forest of firs, chestnut, hemlock as well as rhododendron. During April, May the whole slops blazes with different color of rhododendron. You will observe different types of birds in this area. The trail is continuous steep climb of 6 hrs. till you hit the main road to Sandakphu i.e. one kilometer ahead of Kalipokhari and then to Bikhaybhanjang to Sandakphu. Return trip can be accomplished via Gairibas, Maneybhanjyang or same route back to Rimbick and to Darjeeling.

Route No 6:

Darjeeling-Tonglu or Gairibas-Sandakphu-Srikhola via Gurdum to Rimbick.

Sandakphu-Gurdum is about 3.5 hrs. walk and Gurdum to Srikhola is about 1 hr. walk. At Gurdum, which is worth spending a day, there is a private accommodation and at Srikhola there is Trekkers Hut. Srikhola to Rimbick is 2 hrs. walk whereas Gurdum to Rimbick is about 4 hrs. walk.

Darjeeling-Tiger Hill and back 26 k.m. one day trek.

There are two walking routes from the town.

• Tenzing Norgay Road starts from Chowrasta and passes through Toong-Soong and Aloo-Bari villages. The road is almost level and there is no vehicular traffic on this road. It meets the Hill Cart Road at Jorebungalow. From Jorebungalow the road ascendend to Tiger-Hill is 5 km.
• Gandhi Road starts from Planters Club Motor stand. This road goes almost parallel to Hill Cart Road and meets the Hill Cart Road near Ghoom Railway Station.
• Both the routes offer the Travellers excellent view of forests and mountains

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