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Lucknow: Darjeeling is a beautiful city nestled in the remote mountains of West Bengal. Reaching it requires a 65-kilometer journey from Siliguri, via a road that winds through the mountains. Located in the Shivalik mountain range of West Bengal’s eastern Himalayas, this city is perched at an altitude of approximately 7,000 feet above sea level. Visitors to Darjeeling are usually those traveling to Gangtok. Approximately 70 kilometers from Gangtok, one must travel via a very treacherous mountain route. A similar thrilling journey is also enjoyed from Siliguri.

No matter how dry the weather is when you set out for Darjeeling from Gangtok or Siliguri, the moment you reach the mountain road, you’re immediately drenched by rain showers. Sometimes heavy, sometimes mild, and sometimes even just dew-like showers, making your journey a delightful and truly delightful experience. There’s no specific month to visit Darjeeling; every month is special, and each one offers a correspondingly enjoyable experience.
A ride on the two- or four-coach toy train, powered by the Himalayan Railway’s steam engine, along the road in Darjeeling city is thrilling. This train is also a major source of Darjeeling’s economic resources. The view of the picturesque and lush mountains from this train makes your trip enchanting. The fare is up to 1,200 rupees per person, and this toy train takes you around Darjeeling. There’s a rush to enjoy the ride, and there’s a wait for tickets. This toy train also chugs all the way to Siliguri, reaching there in eight hours.

The picturesque sites around Darjeeling are sure to captivate you. No matter how long you stay here, every day, every moment, is memorable and a treasure trove of experiences. This city is also known as the Queen of Hill Stations. Mount Everest and the Kanchenjunga mountain range, lush tea gardens, lush trees, and every house laden with flowers always immerse you in a pleasant atmosphere.

Gorkha War Memorial

About five kilometers from Darjeeling city, there is a place called ‘Ghoom’, Batisia Loop. This place is known as the Darjeeling Gorkha War Memorial. This memorial was built on March 22, 1995, after independence, to commemorate the Gorkha soldiers of the Darjeeling region who died in various wars and military operations to protect the sovereignty of the nation. Visitors to Darjeeling do not forget to visit this place and pay homage to the brave martyrs.

These places have their own unique identity

Mirik, Kurseong, and Kalimpong, located at distances of 49, 51, and 36 kilometers from Darjeeling, are known for their uniqueness. Mirik, known for its tea plantations and oranges, also attracts the dense forests of cryptomeria. Go boating on Mirik Lake, and when you’re in the mood to relax, there are quiet and comfortable tourist hostels and beautiful cottages available. Kurseong is known as a resting place on the way to and from Darjeeling. It’s full of restaurants with bars, where tourists can relax. Dow Hill, the Buddhist monastery, and Eagle Craig are popular destinations. Kalimpong enjoys a cool climate year-round. People climb to Darbindra Point to see the gurgling Teesta River and rare views of the Himalayas.

Darjeeling hopes for a separate Gorkhaland

Darjeeling is currently part of the proposed state of Gorkhaland. The proposed areas under Gorkhaland have a population of approximately 12.5 million. The native language of the people here is Nepali. The Gorkha community is in majority here, and these people feel proud to call themselves Indians, being associated with the Gorkha Regiment of the Indian Army. Surrounded by international borders with Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Bangladesh, separate statehood for Gorkhaland is impossible, but the people here have high hopes from the BJP government in West Bengal. During Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari’s recent visit to Darjeeling, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung presented his demands. The demand for Gorkhaland is not new. The Gorkha National Liberation Front, led by Subhash Ghising, has a long history. The 1986 and 1988 movements for this demand are recorded in history, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s movement, led by Bimal Gurung, has been ongoing since 2007. The 105-day long Darjeeling shutdown in 2017 also has a history. Meanwhile, in 2012, a tripartite agreement was reached between the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the central government, and the West Bengal government through a resolution passed in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, under which the Gorkha Land Territorial Administration was established to replace the Gorkha Hill Council. This institution administers the hill areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. It is responsible for administering 59 departments, including education, health, and agriculture, but has no legislative authority. Currently, this offers a ray of hope for those demanding Gorkhaland.