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Places
For those who love art and history, Darjeeling has a rich legacy of invaluable worth. Natural History Museum, established in 1903 offers a comprehensive collection of Himalayan fauna including hundreds of rare specimens of estuarine crocodile. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Museum, too, has a varied collection of mountaineering equipment and of Himalayan flora and fauna. An interesting item of the Museum is a relief model of the Himalaya. Ava Art Gallery contains beautiful pieces of fine art. Tomb of Alexander Csoma de Koros, the great Hungarian scholar of Tibetan language and culture who was the first to introduce Tibetan Buddhism to the Western world, is also one of the landmarks of Darjeeling. Among the thrilling experiences that
Himalayan Festivities Darjeeling has a diversified population and people are jolly by nature. Festivities, therefore, take a special place in the life of this Himalayan region. Almost all the year round you will find this Hill Station buzzing with fun and frolic. This festive mood starts right from the first day of the Calendar with pompous celebration of New Year on the 1st of January involving the youthful souls in singing and dancing the whole night. The end of January marks the end of the Tibetan Year and the outgoing year is given a ceremonial farewell in Monasteries with colorful Tibetan dance. The farewell ceremony is followed by the celebration of Losar, the welcoming of Tibetan New Year. This mirthful celebration continues for a full week with much fun, foods, dances and merry-making. Then they have, in the same month of February, Saraswati Puja when the Hindus worship Saraswati, the goddess of Knowledge. The all-embracing colorful festival of India – Holi – does not leave Darjeeling untouched in March when they sprinkle colors on each other, mix and socialize in a spirit of fraternity. Then there is Ram Navmi (the Birth Anniversary of Lord Rama) when they take out a procession of the holy chariot with Lord Ram's idol. This same day is also marked for the worship of ‘Shakti’, the goddess of vigor, and as an emblem of the triumph of good over evil. Nepalese put colored rice as ‘tika’ (symbolic victory mark on the forehead) as blessings from the elders of the house. Buddha Jayanti, the Birth Anniversary of Lord Buddha, is celebrated in April when the Llamas take out the image of Lord Buddha along with a musical processions emerging from Buddhist monasteries. Around the same time, Muslims celebrate Id-uz Zuha in commemoration of prophet Ibrahim. In June Muslims mirthfully celebrate Mila-Dun-Nabi, the Birth Anniversary of Prophet Mohammad. Good Friday and Easter are also celebrated in Darjeeling with great reverence. In July the Tibetans celebrate the Birthday of Dalai Lama followed by Dzam Ling Chi Sang, i.e. Local Deities' Day. In August, the Lepchas celebrate Tendong Lho Rumfaat, the prayer of Tendong mountain. Lepchas believe that they are the descendents of the people who survived the 40 days and 40 nights of rain by going to the top of this mountain. August also marks the celebration of Raksha Bandhan – a festival symbolizing the bond of love between brothers and sisters – by Hindus. Hindus also celebrate Naag Panchami in this month. Priests go from door to door to chant prayers and paste the symbol of “Naag” (snake) to protect the houses from the attack of snakes. Teez is an important Hindu festival falling in the month of September and celebrated by women. Women keep a rigorous fast on this day to strengthen their love for their spouse and observe sanctity and prayers for whole day and whole night. In October the Nepali Hindus have their greatest festival called Design. It's a continuous celebration for fifteen days. The ‘Shraddha’ (remembrance of the dead ancestors) ceremony is also performed during this period. From the next day starts Durga Puja when the goddess Durga (symbolic for the triumph of good over evil) is worshipped for nine days in nine different forms. Tihar is an important festival in November when crows and dogs, believed to be the messengers of the Lord of Death, are offered food. Tihar is, in fact, an expanded way of celebrating Diwali, the festival of light, when Laxmi (the goddess of wealth) is also worshipped. The last month of the calendar, December, brings many festivals together including Ngenpa Gu Dzom for the Tibetans, Id-ul-Fitr for the Muslims, and Christmas for the Christians. The celebration of these festivals in an atmosphere of love and harmony reflect the way of living of the people of Darjeeling. They show how people can foster different beliefs and yet live as brothers of one composite family. No doubt, some of these festivals mirror forth the deep-rooted superstitions but this innocence with love is more valuable than wisdom with hatred prevailing in more cultured areas of the world. –
Suniti
Chandra Mishra |
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Buddhist Monasteries are such wonderful places in and around Darjeeling which have their own serene appeal. Both in their artistic shape and in their tranquillizing effect they leave an indelible impact. The Buddhist Monastery of Ghoom, a place near Darjeeling, deserves special mention. Built in a typical Tibetan style, the Monastery has a 15 ft. tall image of Maitryee Buddha, i.e. the foretold incarnation of Lord Buddha. Another important Monasteries are the Aloobari Monastery on Tenzing Road and Bhutia Busty Monastery near Chowrasta which also has a rich library of Buddhist Writings. Dali Monastery as well as the Japanese Peace Pagoda, dedicated to world peace, are also worth visiting. A religiously important site of its own kind is the Observatory Hill. The hill is a sacred spot for both the Hindus and the Buddhists and commands a magnificent view combined with a solemn spiritual atmosphere. Dhirdam Temple built in the style of the famous "Pashupatinath" temple of Kathmandu is also a wonderful sacred spot. 
Darjeeling offers are viewing of the Rangat Valley Ropeway, the five kilometer long first passenger ropeway of India, and the railway loop of Batasia in Ghoom, one of the highest railway stations in the world. Not only these are the marvels of engineering but they also add to the viewers’ pleasure in capturing the beautiful natural scenery around. The toy train of Darjeeling is the best possible pleasure that can be offered to children. The beautiful lake named Kalpokhri, a bit away from Darjeeling, is also worth visiting. And when you have culminated your trip to this beautiful Himalayan queen, forget not to take a round of The Mall before you leave. The beauty of Kanchenjunga gives a unique look from this place which you can glance from modern Coffee Houses or Restaurants full of palatable stuff. The Mall is the heart-throb of Darjeeling and looks teeming with shops and market complexes. Beautiful woolens sold by beautiful women will especially give you a warm feeling. And .. remember, the best season to visit Darjeeling is from September to December as the view of the peaks is clearer and Darjeeling is also less crowded in these months. 