Darjeeling - the queen of all hill stations

Introduction:

Darjeeling , the queen of all hill stations, renowned for its natural exquisiteness, sparkling fresh air, year round pleasant weather and in particular, the ever joyful and hospitable local people. The 3rd highest peak in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga is in close proximity to this place and furthermore gives the superlative view. Darjeeling is generally known as paradise of the visitors for the reason that each day it offers somewhat fresh to everyone, perhaps the first time visitor and may be the habitual one.

The morning bell comes to the viewers when the first ray of sun touches the mountain peaks. This is Tiger hill, a sharp ride of five kilometers from Ghoom, is the position where one can observe this heavenly feelings. At this point the air is chilly, but distinctive to get an experience. Here the up-to-the-minute day starts with the world renowned combine of tea, foggy and smoky weather, Mountain View and cheery face of local Gurkha people. Darjeeling is moreover a place to be familiar with Tibetan culture, Himalayan Tribal Life, and to observe the Tibetian Monasteries, Pine Trees, Tea garden etc. pretty closely.
General Information:

Altitude: 2134 m. above MSL

Climate: Summer-15-23° C. Winter-2-10° C.

Best time to visit: April to mid June, September to November.

Remember:
Visitors are advised to carry rain clothes in all season and light woolen clothes during summer too.

Culture and Food

The populace of Darjeeling and in the neighborhood places like Kalimpong and Mirik consists of the Gurungs from West Nepal. Other communities like Bhutias, Gorkhas from east Nepal, Lepchas from Sikkim as well living together. People from the plains came and have established here as the place is incredibly fascinating.

The neighboring food staff available is rice, meat curry and momos which are steamed, fried and of course the locally prepared noodles. This in general accompanied by chhang, a brewed wine of the locality made from millet or the jaad which is made from fermented rice. The Gurkhas are staunch Hindus and celebrate all Hindu festivals with identical enthusiasm; Dussehra is the most admired Gurkha festival.

Places To Visit:

No visit to Darjeeling is complete devoid of a visit to Ghoom which is 6 km away from the chief town. The hillock is subjugated by the famed Yiga Choeling Monastery which has 15 images of the Lord Buddha. This belong to the yellow hat faction, the monastery contain many olden palm leaf and paper manuscripts depicted in Tibetan script. The Museum of Natural History is where one can take a glimpse of an excellent compilation of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. If somebody is interested in flora, then Lloyd Botanic Garden is the right position. It has a amazing assortment of alpine flora and orchids.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the solitary center in India for the breeding of the endangered snow leopard. The Ussurian tigers and the Himalayan black bear are as well amid its attraction.

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institution (HMI) which foundeded in the year 1954 by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, is the place where one can acquire all the information and particulars of conquest Mount Everest. Tenzing Norgay, one of the foremost conqueror of Everest was the Founder Director and Advisor of the institution until his demise.

Darjeeling-Ranjit Valley ropeway is an additional magnetism which is very near to this place. The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center is the position where the exceptional Tibetan crafts akin to
carpets, wood and leather works are on display for the visitors.

Kalimpong

Teesta, the crown of this queen valley is spread all through the tiny town Kalimpong. The view of Mac Farlane Church gives a worm welcome to the tourists with to this paradise of nature. A long time ago, it was the headquarters of a Bhutanese Governor. The word “kalim” means minister of the king and “pong” means the stranglehold. The place is positioned at an elevation of 1250 meters and covers around 3.5 square miles.
Dr. Graham’s Homes school which was established by Dr. John Anderson Grahman in 1900 is one of the main attractions of Kalimpong. This has been erected on the slopes of Delo Hill, more or less three kilometers away from the town. Visitors who wants to witness a bird’s eye view of the scenic place must go to Durpin Dara, an observatory position atop the hill, from where one can get an overall vision of the grand Himalayan ranges.

There are several monasteries in this region, amongst them the Pedong monastery and Thongsha Gompa are the oldest and typically well known. A further monastery is the Tharpa Choling Monastery which has been erected in 1937 by the Yellow Hat sect, is positioned at Tirpai Hill at a distance of around two kilometers from Kalimpong.

Mirik

Mirik is the place which is renowned for tea gardens and orange orchards. The climate of this situate is cool and appealing and gives a completely dissimilar experience to the visitors. Lush green valley enclosed with tea plantations, tiny cottages, stretched oak trees, gigantic lake and juicy oranges are the things which are distinctive to their evaluation. This is the ultimate place to spend a quantity of time away from the droning city life with friends, family or alone. Fishing and boating in the lake are also sources of enjoyment to the tourists.

Shopping:

Mall is the position where the visitors can give the ultimate touch to there visit. This is fundamentally a commercial center of this valley. At this point one can find hand knitted sweaters, hand painted wall hangings, fancy bags, Himalayan and Tibetan antique, and especially Tibetan theme based oil colorful paintings. It is here where the local people as well sell with their traditional food like momos, thukpa and many other delicacies.

Mall leads to Chow Rasta which is also popular and thronging with crowd like other mall for shopping purpose. Hotels, restaurants and shops are available in plenty in variable ranges. Woolen garments, Tribal ornaments, Thankas, rosaries, brass statues and Gorkha daggers are widely obtainable here. Some shops also deals with the imported items. In both the two places shopping can be done after a good deal of bargain.

Trekking:

Trekking in the Darjeeling hills are on track more or less a century back. It was one of the first hill regions in India where trekking was organized .The Everest and Kanchenjunga still alluring thousands of nature lovers from diverse parts of the world ever since it was discovered.
The best time to embark on trekking program is April-May and October and November. Treks can be arranged through Travel Agents or privately. Both low and high altitude treks are prearranged over here. Some of the most popular treks are Maneybhanjang (2134 m), Meghma (2900 m), Toughu (3070 m), Gairibas (2621 m), Sandakphu (3636 m), and Phalut (3600m)etc.
Another attractive high altitude trek is to Kalimpong valley from Relli, Pankhasari, and to the highest position in the areas, Rochella (3,400 m).All the varieties of Himalayan flora and fauna are extensively available here. The typically used and advisable routes are from Darjeeling to Kurseong through the Old Military Road, Darjeeling to Singla, Darjeeling to Bijabbari and Darjeeling to Tiger Hill.

How to get there:

Air: The nearest Airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra. It is around100 km journey to Darjeeling.

Rail: Siliguri is connected to all the major cities of India by train. From Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri, the Toy Trains are available which gives a memorable journey to Darjeeling.

Road: Siliguri is also well linked by road ways and buses, minibuses jeeps run every thirty minutes or so from Siliguri to Darjeeling, Mirik, Gangtok, Katmandu and other places.

Belur Math - headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission

Place : Howrah, West Bengal

Importance : The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission

Timing : 6-11.30 am, 4-7 pm (April to September, 6.30-11.30 am, 3.30-6 pm (October-March)

Time to Visit : Throughout the year

Belur Math is the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a divine movement having base of Vedanta. It is situated about 16.5 km from the adored Kali Temple of Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineshwar. It was founded in 1899 by Swami Vivekananda, the world renowned yogi and follower of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa deb, who sermonized the unanimity of the entire religions.

This International tourist magnetism is positioned in close proximity to Belur in Howrah district, West Bengal. Sprawls more than forty acres of land with quiet and serene ambiance, the Math comprise of a magnificently maintained monastery, the temple compound and furthermore the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.

The mortal remains of Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekanada are preserved at this point. It was here that Swami Vivekananda resided the very last years of his concise life.

There is a Sri Ramakrishna Temple at the Belur Math, alienated by a transparent glass wrap. It is here Swami Vivekananda positioned the relics of Sri Ramakrishna. When one crosses the threshold from the chief gateway one can observe this extraordinary temple. Built in 1938, it is the key magnetism in Belur Math for the reason that the temple has a fashion of architecture that united elements of a church, mosque and a temple. It is in fact a magnificent temple which synchronizes all religions. The erection of the temple was done in four years and Ms. Hellen Rubel, an American devotee of Swami Vivekananda provided the main part of the funds. Within the temple abode a deity of Sri Ramakrishna.

In the vicinity of to this, there is a library hall which has all books associated to Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature and as well about Vedanta in an assortment of languages. Positioned to the north-east of Sri Ramakrishna Temple is an elderly shrine where worship to Sri Ramakrishna was performed for further than three decades. In the southeast there is Swami Vivekananda’s room. It is at this place Swami Vivekananda spent his last years and attained Mahasamadhi on 4 July 1902. The articles used by him are conserved here. The room as well contains remnants for instance his bed, sandals and turban. There is a courtyard in the frontage of this room, there still located a mango tree underneath which Swamiji accustomed to sit and convene visitors and devotees.

Swami Brahmananda Temple is another temple in Belur Math. Swami Brahmananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and furthermore the first President of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission. The temple stands on the dot where Swami Brahmananda's body was cremated.

Within the temple complex there is a temple devoted to Holy Mother Sarada Devi. The temple is located in the south on the bank of the Ganga for the reason that the Mother cherished the Ganga. The temple of Swami Vivekananda is positioned in close proximity too. The temple has a higher story preserves an alabaster OM in Bengali character. Beside the temple there is a bel (bilva) tree, replaced by a similar tree subsequent to the original tree which died. Under which Swamiji loved to take rest.

The samadhi or commemorative Enclosure is another significant building in the complex. The mortal remains of seven of the sixteen direct frugal disciples of Sri Ramakrishna were cremated at this place. Their names are impressed on the marble. Separately from these, the math houses the Ramakrishna Museum which is situated to the south of the main temple. The museum contains things which were used by Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. Extraordinary articles used by Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda are on display here. The Old Math, previously known as Garden House of Nilambar Mukherjee, stands extra south on the bank of the Ganga. Holy Mother used to stay here quite a lot of times before the Belur Math came into subsistence.

The Math upholds a customary schedule of meditation and puja, which visitors can furthermore participate. Guests can make day trips outer portion of the math but are requested not to walk off the premises in the evenings.

Each and every one of the Hindu festivals together with birth days of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deb, Sri Sarada Devi, Sri Swami Vivekananda and the primary twelve followers of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa are celebrated each year.

Missionaries Of Charity, Kolkata

Location : Kolkata, West Bengal

Importance : The institution founded by Mother Teresa of Kolkata

Timing : 8:00am to 12 noon and 3:00pm to 6:00pm ,Thursday closed
Time to Visit : All through the year

Missionaries of Charity is a Roman Catholic religious organize founded in 1950. It was established by Mother Teresa, an Albanian, devoted herself to the serve mankind and in service of God amid the poorest of the pitiable, ailing and the dying for in excess of 50 years of her life.

Mother Teresa was born on 26th August 1910 in Skopje, at present the capital of Macedonia to Albanian parents as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhin. Out in the open early to prayer and service, she was profoundly religious. When she attainted the age of 18, she left her residence for Dublin, Ireland, to unite the Loretto abbey and turned into a nun of the Roman Catholic Church. Subsequent to a year in Ireland, she left and joined the Loretto convent in the north east Indian city Darjeeling, where she spent 17 years of teaching and served as the principal of St. Mary's high school in Calcutta.

In 1948 with the consent of the Pope, she left the convent, substituted her robes for a white sari having a blue border, and went to reside in the slums of Calcutta, where she embarked on her job by compassionating for a lone dying person she found on the streets. The Missionaries of Charity was authoritatively established as a religious parishioner for the Archdiocese of Calcutta during October 1950.

Mother Teresa acknowledged quite a lot of national and international awards for social service for the duration of her life span, as well as the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, Magsaysay Award in 1962, the Pope John XXIII Peace award in 1971, John Kennedy International Award in 1971. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, at the ripe age of 87. Her body was buried in the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity. Mother was beatified by Pope John Paul II at St. Peters square in the Vatican City, on October 19th 2003, seven years subsequent to her death. Hereafter the mother will be referred to as the The Blessed Teresa of Kolkata.

Calcutta turned into the hub of holy mother’s charitable and caring dedications. Mother’s primary dwelling was Nirmal Hridoy for the ailing and the dying. She also founded Sishu Bhawan for the destitute people, orphans and mentally challenged children, Shanti Nagor, a dependency for lepers where they were concern for; they could become skilled at, erect their own houses and could toil on their individual fields, AIDS hospice and many more. The first abode outside India was originated in 1965 in Venezuela. The other centers were later opened in Italy, Tanzania, Australia, US, Communist Cuba, past Soviet Union and so on.

The institute committed to the functioning for the insolvent, at the moment comprises more than 550 charitable trust homes in more than 120 countries. One can glimpse numerous volunteers crosswise the world. A volunteer does not need to be Catholic, or yet religious and as well not obligatory to link in the daily prayer and Mass at the Mother House. Prayer moment is at 6 am and 6pm. The working days are six days every week and Thursday is the rest day. The Volunteer effort is alienated into morning and afternoon shift. People can effort either or both. But there are definite homes stringently for male or female volunteers.
If an individual wants to volunteer, one have to make contact with at the administrative centre for volunteers,

Mother House Contact No: 033-22497115
Time for Registration: 3 pm Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

In addition volunteers can put their effort for as several or only some days. The job can be passionate but without prior experience. Works consist of the whole lot, from the laundry, serving to clean a injury or clutch a paralyzed woman to have a bath. Breakfast for every volunteer is obtainable at the Mother House.

The Mother House houses a little museum, where the personal belongings of the Mother such as books, cot and many other things are preserved. Admission is free. Visiting Hours: 8:00 am -12.00 and 3:00 pm -6:00 pm

On Thursday The Mother House remains closed.

At the present moment, this charitable organization comprises of more than 4,950 sisters all round the globe, engaged in 766 centers in 120 countries. In Recent years, German born Sister Mary Prema has selected as the superior general of the Missionaries of Charity (MC).

How to Reach

Kolkata is well linked by road, train and air with all major cities in India and other parts of the world. One can hire a cab, use the public transport system, which includes buses and the metro rail.

Mongpong is Verry Beautiful Spot

About a half an hour drive from Siliguri on NH31 through Sevok takes to Mongpong, the initial step to Dooars. Positioned on the bank of great Tista River, Mongpong is a very beautiful spot presenting exquisite view of vast Tista basin and Mahananda Sanctuary.

Even though Mongpong is a very little place having not many shops, huts and a forest check post, but there is no dearth of natural beauty. The marvelously built forest rest house in the midst of the hefty Sal forests overlooking the Tista River is a perfect place to spend a hassle-free night in the surroundings of the nature. The presence of beetles, cricket on a pitch dim night and numerous fireflies with their glittering can be a genuine wild sensation.

On the bank of Tista there is a nature recreation center which is a very well liked place for picnic parties and the day visitors.

The department of Forest provides the solitary accommodation in the Wilderness Resorts, where a four roomed bungalow along with two separate cottages are offered for tourist.
Important information:

Because of insufficient accommodation to provide the mounting rush of tourist in Mongpong an early affirmation is required to avail the room mainly during the period April-May and Oct-Nov.

Distance from Siliguri: 35kms

Nearest Airport: Bagdogra 40kms

Nearest Railhead: NJP 35kms, Local Station - Sevok

District Head Quarter: Darjeeling

Best time to visit: November to March

Accommodation:
Nature and Wilderness Resorts- Mongpong