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With the arrival of autumn, a magical hue spreads across the Himalayan valleys. When Durga Puja, the biggest festival of West Bengal, approaches, the climate of the ‘Queen of Hills’ i.e. Darjeeling, situated in the beautiful hills of North Bengal, changes completely. As soon as the monsoon departs, the clouds start disappearing from the sky, the sun shines brightly and amidst the light pink cold of the morning and evening, a blanket of mist embraces the pine and cedar forests. This is the time when lakhs of tourists from across the country, including Kolkata, Siliguri, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi and the North-East, head to Darjeeling to enjoy their holidays.
Darjeeling is not just a hill station but it is a wonderful confluence of colonial heritage, Tibetan culture, vibrant tea gardens and unmatched beauty of nature. The influx of tourists here is at its peak during the Durga Puja holidays. To make the experience of tourists memorable during the Puja holidays this time, the local administration, tourism department and hotel association have prepared many new attractions and better facilities, which are going to make this trip more exciting and comfortable than ever before.
The mention of Darjeeling trip is considered incomplete without the toy train of ‘Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’ (DHR). Traveling in this historic narrow-gauge train, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the dream of travelers of every age. When the vintage steam engine whistles and passes through the winding paths of hills, deep ravines and lush green slopes, it seems as if time has stopped for a few moments.
In view of the huge rush of Durga Puja, the Railway Administration (NFR) has planned to start a special festival joyride between Darjeeling and Ghoom. When the train takes a 360 degree turn from ‘Ghoom’, one of the highest railway stations in Asia and the historic ‘Batasia Loop’, the panoramic view of the snow-clad Kanchenjunga mountain range in front wins the heart. Tourists are making their journey unforgettable by admiring the beautiful views of clouds and valleys from the large glass windows and transparent roofs in the Vistadome coaches of the toy train.
This time the journey to Darjeeling will not be limited to just traditional sightseeing places. Many new dimensions of modern adventure activities and experiential tourism have been added to attract tourists:
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Exclusive Tea-Garden Tourism and Tea-Tasting Sessions: World famous tea gardens like Makaibari, Glenburn and Happy Valley are conducting special workshops for tourists to witness ‘tea plucking’ and fresh tea processing. Stopping at the heritage tea-estates here and sipping fresh black tea with the first morning sunlight gives a royal feeling.
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Exciting Adventure Sports and Trekking Trails: For adventure sports enthusiasts, modern facilities for camping, paragliding and mountain biking have been started at the base routes of Sandakphu and Phalut. From where the four highest peaks of the world like Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu can be seen simultaneously.
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Upgradation of Darjeeling Ropeway and Viewing Deck: Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car (Darjeeling Ropeway) has been upgraded with new safety features and panoramic cabin, doubling the thrill of getting a bird’s eye view of the Rangit River and valleys flowing below.
The morning of the Darjeeling trip is the most special. At around 4 in the morning, when the darkness has not completely dispersed, tourists rush towards Tiger Hill. As the first red-orange rays of the sun fall on the white glaciers of ‘Mount Kanchenjunga’, the world’s third highest peak, the mountain peak glows like gold. Capturing this golden sunrise in your eyes is an experience to be remembered for a lifetime.
Apart from Tiger Hill, there are many famous attractions to visit in Darjeeling:
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Mall Road (Chowrasta): An evening stroll on the Chowrasta, the heart of Darjeeling, shopping for local wooden handicrafts, horse riding and savoring hot chocolate and pasties with live music at the famous ‘Keventers’ and ‘Gleneries’ bakeries is a must experience.
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Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: India’s highest zoo, where rare and endangered species like red panda, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and Himalayan black bear can be seen in their natural habitat.
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Japanese Peace Pagoda and Mahakal Temple: The Japanese Buddhist Stupa and the historic Mahakal Temple on Observatory Hill are the main centers of faith and solace for tourists seeking spiritual peace.
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Lamahata and Mirik Lake: The tall pine forests of Lamahata Eco-park, located a short distance from Darjeeling, and boating in Mirik’s Sumendu Lake are the best day-trip options for nature lovers.
To make your Durga Puja trip to Darjeeling smooth and budget-friendly, it is important to keep some important things in mind:
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How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB) and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From here, Darjeeling can be reached via Siliguri via taxi or shared jeep and a picturesque hilly road (Rohini or Pankhabari route) of 3 to 4 hours.
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Advance booking mandatory: There is huge demand for hotels, homestays and toy train tickets during the Puja season. Therefore, make sure to book at least 1 to 2 months before your trip.
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Choice of homestay: For an up-close experience of traditional Nepali and Tibetan culture, head to eco-homestays in tranquil rural areas like Lepchajagat, Takdah or Tinchule.
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Packing Guide: The temperature in Darjeeling in October ranges between 10 to 18 degrees Celsius. Cold increases in the morning and night, so carry light and medium woolen clothes, thermal inners, comfortable walking shoes and a windcheater to avoid short spells of rain.
This trip to Darjeeling during Durga Puja holidays will not only relieve your everyday tiredness, but the historical whistle of the toy train and the golden aura of Kanchenjunga will remain forever in your mind as a beautiful memory.