The town often suffers from power outages and the electrical supply voltage is unstable, making voltage stabilisers popular with many households. 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. 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. Darjeeling also has a world renowned Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Not to miss the famous Darjeeling tea while in Darjeeling. Restaurant. more, Things to Do in Darjeeling, India - Darjeeling Attractions. Singing and playing musical instruments are common pastimes among the resident population, who take pride in the traditions and role of music in cultural life. Darjeeling, one of the most popular hill station of India is located in the Mahabharata Range or Lesser Himalaya at a elevation of 6,710 feet. [7] Dzongkha is spoken by the Bhutias and the Tibetans. Apart from tea, the other thing that Darjeeling is famous for is its historic toy train. The range is Y-shaped with the base resting at Katapahar and Jalapahar and two arms diverging north of the Observatory Hill. The agitation ceased only after an agreement between the government and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), resulting in the establishment of an elected body in 1988 called the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which received autonomy to govern the district. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak at 8,598 m (28,209 ft), is the most prominent mountain visible. [23], During the Indian independence movement, the Non-cooperation movement spread through the tea estates of Darjeeling. The board of councillors elects a chairman from among its elected members;[34] the chairman is the executive head of the municipality. This beautiful tourist destination of the east is well known for its exotic location, excellent weather, world popular tea, Toy Train and many more. Full-Day Private Darjeeling Sightseeing including Optional Tiger Hill Buddhist monasteries showcase the pagoda style architecture. Famous for its tea plantations, Darjeeling is equal to heaven for a tea addict. It runs from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal. It is prepared with Mung beans. [32][71] However, since 2012, Darjeeling has once again witnessed a steady inflow of both domestic and international tourists. [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. In 1919, the area was declared a "backward tract". [11] The Chogyal of Sikkim had been engaged in unsuccessful warfare against the Gurkhas of Nepal. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. The Darjeeling urban agglomeration consists of Darjeeling Municipality and the Tukvar Tea Garden (Tukvar valley). [63] In June 2009, in order to reduce waste, the municipality proposed a ban on plastic carrier bags and sachets in the town.[64]. 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. [67] Several tea estates are being run on a workers' cooperative model, while others are being planned for conversion into tourist resorts. [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. Beautiful colonial architecture including mansions and … Show Prices. ", "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. On clear days Nepal's Mount Everest, 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft), Lhotse at 8,516 m (27,940 ft) and Makalu at 8,485 m (27,838 ft) can be seen from Tiger Hill.[35]. The north-eastern arm dips suddenly and ends in the Lebong spur, while the north-western arm passes through North Point and ends in the valley near Tukver Tea Estate. [5], The predominant religions of Darjeeling are Hinduism and Buddhism, followed by Christianity. The 0–6 years population is 7,382. It is an emotion for the peoples residing in Bengal. The district's forests and other natural wealth have been adversely affected by an ever-growing population. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Darjeeling Toy Train, is a prominent crowd-puller in the beautiful hill station of West Bengal. The opening of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in 1881 further hastened the development of the region. [14] Further discord between Sikkim and the British resulted in a war, culminating in the signing of a treaty and the annexation by the British of the area east of the Teesta River in 1865. [81][82], Dashain, Tihar, Losar, Buddha Jayanti, Christmas are the main festivals. The district is famous for its hill station Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling has seen a significant growth in its population, its decadal growth rate being 47% between 1991 and 2001. [20] Scottish missionaries undertook the construction of schools and welfare centres for the British residents, laying the foundation for Darjeeling's notability as a centre of education. [25] Subsequently, during the 1940s, communist activists continued the nationalist movement against the British by mobilising the plantation workers and the peasants of the district. Sel Roti is a famous food in Darjeeling and is basically a mildly sweet ring-shaped bread. Darjeeling is a great place for some rest and relaxation and, you will be happy to know, it also offers some retail therapy options. [86][89][90], There are 52 primary schools, 67 high schools and 5 colleges in the town. the area between Mechi River and Teesta River). Almost all of the primary schools are now maintained by Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council. [21][69] Bus services and hired vehicles connect Darjeeling with Siliguri and Darjeeling has road connections with Bagdogra, Gangtok and Kathmandu and the neighbouring towns of Kurseong and Kalimpong. [34] The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snowcapped Himalayan ranges tower over the town at distance. The BEIC sent a force to free them. 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. The prevailing languages are Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and English. The best day trips from Darjeeling according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Darjeeling with kids? The soil is chiefly composed of sandstone and conglomerate formations, which are the solidified and upheaved detritus of the great range of Himalaya. The authentic flavour and aroma of tea will steal your heart away. As of 2011[update], the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM) holds power in the municipality. 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. Amidst the green-grey hills, the serene vegetation and scenic vistas guarantee a vacation to cherish forever. Tea cultivation was started here as early as 1841. Continued friction between the BEIC and the Sikkim authorities resulted in the annexation of 1,700 square kilometres (640 sq mi) of territory by the British in 1850. Thukpa is homemade noodle soup with meat, eggs and/or vegetables. 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. Also, there are a famous Gorkha dish Kwati that is a vegetable soup. The best outdoor activities in Darjeeling according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the best day trips from Darjeeling? For example, they add Wai Wai Mimi instant noodles over a bowl of Aloo Dom and call it Aloo Mimi. Because they are technically oolong teas, they brew to a light amber infusion with a fresh, floral aroma. Although it's locally known as dalle, a popular brand is known as Darjeeling Hills Pickles. Darjeeling is famous for WHAT..???? [29] Agitation for a separate state continued through the 1980s,[30] included violent protests during the 1986–88 period. [32] The tea industry has faced competition in recent years from tea produced in other parts of India as well as other countries like Nepal. [19] It is reported to be the only location in eastern India that witnesses large numbers of foreign tourists. It runs all the way from the lower reaches of the mountains to Darjeeling … Darjeeling Tea Tasting and Lunch ₹3,500.00 per adult. Law and order in Darjeeling town comes under the jurisdiction of the district police force, which is a part of the West Bengal Police; a Deputy Superintendent of Police oversees the town's security and law affairs. Darjeeling, also fondly known as the "Queen of hill stations", is nestled in the Himalayas and famous for its tea production and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which … According to an India Todaysurvey published on 23 December 2015, Darjeeling is the third m… Both the town and the district is famous as one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. [21] In 1899, Darjeeling was rocked by major landslides that caused severe damage to the town and the native population. The elected members of this body are authorised to manage certain affairs of the hills, including education, health and tourism. [85], Another popular food is Thukpa, which is of Tibetan origins. 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. [19], Commercial cultivation of tea in the district began in 1856, and induced a number of British planters to settle there. Darjeeling is the headquarters of the Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status called Gorkhaland Territorial Administration within the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling is world famous for its tea, which has a distinctive aroma and flavor that makes it recognizable. 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. For its namesake district, see, Climate data for Darjeeling (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012). Situated at the Northernmost part of West Bengal at an elevation of 6,700ft, Darjeeling allures a huge amount of tourists throughout the year. This homemade rice bread is very similar to doughnuts. While the hill population comprised mainly ethnic Nepalis, the plains harboured a large ethnic Bengali population who were refugees from the Partition of India. Due to the varied mix of cultures in Darjeeling, the local and ethnic food of Darjeeling is also quite varied. 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. [67] More than 60% of workers in the tea gardens are women. You will get dalle from her. Darjeeling has several British-style private schools, which attract pupils from all over India and a few neighbouring countries. Darjeeling (Bengali: [ˈdarˌdʒiliŋ], Nepali: [darˈd͡ziliŋ]) is a city and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern India. Bollywood movies such as Aradhana (1969), Main Hoon Na (2004), Parineeta (2005) and more recently Barfi! [47][48][49][50], Darjeeling is a part of the Eastern Himalayan zoo-geographic zone. Darjeeling tea. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You can get these items at low prices in Darjeeling if you bargain a … Room service. [58] Besides tea, the most widely cultivated crops include maize, millets, paddy, cardamom, potato and ginger. This resulted in the territory between the Arun River and the Teesta River being part of Yakthung Laje Limbuwan. [9], The history of Darjeeling is intertwined with that of Sikkim, Nepal, British India, and Bhutan. However, the soil is often poorly consolidated (the permeable sediments of the region do not retain water between rains) and is not considered suitable for agriculture. The 2 feet long train is a world famous UNESCO heritage site since 1999. Reviewed 1 March 2016 The … [73], Darjeeling can be reached by the 88 km (55 mi) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri, or by National Highway 55, from Siliguri, 77 km (48 mi) away. 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. The Darjeeling region of India is famous for its black teas, but they should actually be called oolong teas. 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. 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