Monday, April 19, 2010

Darjeeling : The Queen of Hill Stations

A mid 19th century creation of the Raj, Darjeeling is the most popular and perhaps the most spectacular hill resort of India. Located on the footsteps of the Himalayas and perched on the roof of the world, it is surrounded by snow capped mountains and dense forests. Rich in flora and fauna surrounding the countryside Darjeeling lives in the shadow of the majestic Kanchenjunga. The small town is a maze of steps and terraces and a treat for nature lovers. Over 4,000 species of flowers, 600 species of birds and many animals and reptiles are found in Darjeeling. Ruled by the kings of Sikkim, Darjeeling was Dorje Ling, meaning Place of Thunderbolt in the local language, before being discovered by two British Officers. The place then full of forests was appreciated by the two British officers as a place of strategic importance bordering the three neighboring countries. The king of Sikkim was pressurized to give the place on rent to the British who began rapid development of the small village turning it into a beautiful hill resort. Darjeeling conjures visions of serenity, of vibrant green hills steeped in splendor, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas.Reaching Darjeeling from Kolkata was a big effort which resulted in construction of the highest railway line in India. The Toy Train, a miniature railway which runs till date was started in 1881. A ride in the toy train is a joy ride with train gaining the maximum speed of 10 km per hour with giving ample time to appreciate the nature's glory around on the way.

This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. The visitors to Darjeeling are welcomed by the cool climate, variation of greenery of dense pine forests, mountain meadows and large tea estates. To top them all are the smiling people showing the diversity of cultures present in this small place. There are Bengalis, the Gorkhas from Nepal, the Sikkimese, the Lepchas and the Bhutias and the great mountaineering Sherpas. Mountaineering and trekking activities are in full swing during the year from Darjeeling. The flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the Queen of Hill stations.The enchanting nature at its full bloom, the enthralling views of the Himalayas, the captivating sight of the cultural diversity and the charming people, all make Darjeeling an exceptional tourist destination.

Location: At the height of 7,000 feet above sea level, in the north of West Bengal, on the footstep of the Himalayas, nestles this small town of Darjeeling. Around 680 km away from the capital of the state Kolkata, Darjeeling shares its borders with all the three neighbouring countries. Nepal is on the west, Bhutan in the north east and Bangladesh is in the south east of Darjeeling. A small portion of Uttar Dinajpur and the neighbouring state of Bihar touches its southern tip. It produces the finest tea in the world with tea industry being the main industry. With 86 tea gardens it produces 25% of the tea output of India.

Languages Spoken: Bengali, English, Bhutia, Nepali, Hindi
Long Distance Code: +91-354
Importance: Hill station
Area: 3149 sqkm
Best Time To Visit September: To June

Darjeeling Attractions:

Ghoom

Ghoom is the last town on the Indo-Nepal frontier in West Bengal and the highest railroad station in the world standing at an altitude of 2,257 meters. Easily approachable Ghoom is the home of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery founded in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyantso for the Yellow Sect of Buddhists. The monastery has a 4.8 meter tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha and also contains images of Buddha''s disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. The Buddhist Tibetan gospel, Kangyur, has been preserved here in all its 108 volumes. This monastery is famous for its Tibetan New Year celebrations during February-March, when the monks fly prayer flags in Tibetan tradition and hold religious and folk dances. The Ghoom Rock, offering a magnificent view is the most popular tourist spot.

Mirik

52 km from Siliguri lies the beautiful sleepy little hill resort called Mirik. Located at an altitude of 1,767 meters, surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations, Mirik truly is a tourist paradise. It has a small population of about 10,000 people. The climate is pleasant, and the people are welcoming. The 1.25 km. long Sumendu Lake, located at the bottom of the Mirik Spur, is the major tourist attraction in Mirik. A quaint footbridge, 24.4 m. in length, arches over the lake, connecting the flower garden on the eastern bank to the heavily forested ridge on the west. There is a floating fountain in the middle of the lake. Boating and fishing are popular pastimes and on a clear day the magnificent Kanchenjunga reflects its magnitude in its waters. There are many observation points in and around Mirik and the most popular among them is the Dara and Deora point. Another attraction of Mirik is the single day trek taken from Kurseong to Mirik in its most picturesque natural surroundings.

Tiger Hills

Located at 7 km from Darjeeling, at an altitude of 2610 meters, the Tiger Hill offers a magnificent view of the great Mount Kanchenjunga and the other peaks of the Himalayan range including the Mount Everest. A steep gradient road through colourful forests of oak, magnolia and beautiful ferns runs up to the Tiger Hill. To ensure a treasured sight one has to reach this point early at dawn before Sun rise. The spot is superbly developed to give a 360 degree view of the Himalayas. As the Sun rises over the Kanchenjunga one sees the five snow-capped peaks glow in the magic of crimson, pink and shining gold light. If the weather is clear even the great Mount Everest is Visible with Tibet's Chomol Hari Mountain, the most beautiful peak in the world and the Kabru and Janu, peaks which are though visible, actually are dwarfed by the magnificence of the Kanchenjunga, which leaps into view. The Kanchenjunga, at 8,586 m., is the world's third highest peak, and a formidable peak for mountaineers as the climb is considered more hazardous than the Everest. The Kanchenjunga Range derives its name from the Tibetan word, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga, meaning Five Treasures in the Snow, a reference to the five snow-capped peaks of this towering mountain range which can be viewed from the Tiger Hill. Although the Kanchenjunga is seen off and on from various places in Darjeeling, the sunrise view from the Tiger Hill takes the cake.

The Toy Train

The ancient locomotive that comes chugging from Siliguri for Darjeeling is the attraction for young and old alike. This miniature railway engine, popularly known as the Toy train, has been doing the rounds from Siliguri to Darjeeling since 1881 and has been included in the world heritage site. It takes six to seven hours to cover a distance of 82 km and with a speed of 10 km per hour it offers a relaxed view to appreciate the abundance of nature on the hills of Darjeeling. Driven by a chugging stream locomotive, the train moves on a narrow, two feet gauge track, passing through the forests, waterfalls, deep valleys and through tunnels to reach Darjeeling.

The idea of this train was conceived in 1870 in order to reduce transit costs and it started operating in 1881.
Soon the landscape changes to reveal tea plantations that cling to the steep mountainside, and form narrow terraces that look like giant steps. The Kanchenjunga appears out of the mist like magic little later. Moving through the many tea gardens, the train reaches Ghoom, the last town on the Indo-Nepal frontier and the highest rail station in the world, situated at 2,257 meters. After Ghoom, the train starts descending towards Darjeeling for 6 km and passes through the Batasia Loop. The Batasia Loop is an engineering marvel where the railway line negotiates a graceful circle and descends 1000 feet almost imperceptibly. Whether riding aboard the Toy Train, or just watching it navigate the loop, the Batasia Loop is a memorable experience. Batasia means Windy Place which offers a grand view of the town of Darjeeling, with the magnificent Kanchenjunga in the background.

The tea Gardens

Darjeeling grows the world famous tea. The exotic tea produced here is known as the Champagne of teas. There are about 86 tea estates in Darjeeling which produce 10 million kg tea every year. The story of Darjeeling tea started some 160 years ago when a civil surgeon, Dr. Campbell planted a few seeds in his garden at an altitude of 7,000 feet. The soil and the weather being conducive to tea growth soon tea gardens became popular and later became the main source of income of Darjeeling. One can visit a tea estate and see all the stages of tea being made, right from plucking to processing it and also can taste the tea and buy it.

The Lloyd Botanical Gardens

Sir Ashley started the Lloyd Botanical Garden to study living specimens from the sub-temperate and temperate Himalayas in 1878 over the 40 acres land donated by Sir Lloyd. Over the years, exotic plants from other parts of the world have also been included turning them into the best gardens of Asia.The garden has charmingly laid-out terraces containing alpine plants, arum lilies, geraniums, azaleas, tree ferns and conifers. There are plant species from Europe, Japan, China, Africa, America, and also from Australia and New Zealand The Orchidarium houses 2,500 plants, including over 50 rare varieties. The cacti and succulents are housed in a separate conservatory, with 150 species on display. The medicinal garden contains indigenous medicinal plants of the Eastern Himalayas. A flower show is held annually during the summer months.



TotalRooms:31
StarCategory:3
The erstwhile summerhouse of Maharaja of Nazargunj is now redesigned in the colonial style as modern resort located just opposite the Governor House. This westward facing resort offers warmth of sunlight to guests throughout the day. Surrounded by fir and pine trees & flowers of different colours, shapes sizes and fragrances, Mayfair Hill Resort nestles at the foot of a hill and overlooks several others.. A stay in this resort is a haven from the maddening crowds.


Total Rooms : 50
Star Category : 3
One of the best hotels in Darjeeling. 50 beautifully appointed rooms & facing the Kanchanjanga.Darjeeling (2134 metres above sea level) is a superlative combination of fern-filled valleys, snow-capped peaks and tea-scented air. A blue toy train on the world's highest railway track chugs through an emerald carpet of tea gardens, passing through a series of dizzying waterfalls and hairpin bends.


Total Rooms : 32
Star Category : 3
A heritage property in Darjeeling. hotel provides warm cosy ambience in 32 well equipped rooms all rooms have a fire places and are funished with wooden pine floors and walnut panell

Total Rooms : 39
Star Category : 4
The Windamere Hotel-situated on the Mall, Darjeeling's beautiful scenic walk, and overlooking the Chowrasta, the town's famous promenade. Hotel has 21 rooms with 5 attic rooms, 6 luxurious double rooms, 10 cottages.


Total Rooms : 38
Star Category : 4
A luxury hotel in Darjeeling, India ,Viceroy needs no introduction. Stepping into the warm settings of the hotel,you will immediately feel yourself sucked into the lap of contemporary, understated luxury. It is the best hotel in Darjeeling where you can pamper yourself with the ultimate luxury. The details are in impeccable from its world class service and cuisine to an unrivalled fusion of business services and modern luxuries, from the displays of fine art work to the highly stylized uniforms worn by the staff. The Viceroy is in every sense a fashionable deluxe hotel in Darjeeling and is graded as the best hotel in Darjeeling.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Our trip to Lansdowne

Lansdowne as the name implies a British hill station named after Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne in 1887.Last weekend we planed from office to go somewhere for outing. Due to our busy schedule in office we wanted some change in our life, so we all make plan to find some new and fresh place to visit. Our Sir Sudipta asked us to find a fresh and new place which is near to Delhi and we could come back on the same day. Everybody searched in internet, and then Janit find this place Lansdowne. We gather as many information we could and final the place to visit on 13th March which was Saturday, so that we could rest on Sunday. I was so excited to go because this was my first trip with my office colleagues. We arranged every necessary thing which is needed during our travel. Sanjeev arranged snacks for us.Firstly, we book two Scorpio because we are14.In each Scorpio we were 7 people.

We got up early in the morning around 3:30am and become ready. At around 5:00am our group came to pick me infront of my house. As I went outside the house it was dark night and no one I could see in my colony. From here my journey started. From here we went to pick our Sir and his wife, they were waiting for us at the meeting point. Our second group also meets there. Then we proceed to Lansdowne. On the way we crossed Ghaziabad, the road was ok but heavy traffic at the morning time. At the same time I was thinking when we reached there? How much beautiful the place would be? About the attraction of Lansdowne etc n etc.

On the way we tell the driver to stop somewhere so that we could have tea. The driver stops around 7:05am and we reached a restaurant for having a cup of tea or coffee. Some of my colleagues were sleeping during journey till here, they went and wash their face so that they could enjoy the beautiful scenery during morning time. We had also taken some pics while having tea. Then again our journey begins. After some time we reached Meerut. It was huge premise of Meerut we take time to cross it.
It was around 8:50am, on the way, there were many villages and grounds full of sugarcane. Both sides of roads we could see Sugarcane. Suddenly our driver stops and the other car also stops and then all the boys of our group started running towards the ground for taking sugarcane, this was one of the most enjoyable moment of our tour. They all bring sugarcane and we have fun while eating those sweet sugarcane. Then we proceed to Bijnore after that Dugadda and so on.
Our next halt station was Kotdwar; it was around 11:00am when we reached. We take breakfast in a restaurant and started towards Lansdowne. It was around 45km from Kotdwar. Finally, we were very near towards our destination but the roads where zig-zag through all the way. We were going up and up at some point I feel scare due to height. But really I could say the beauty of Lansdowne is very amazing. On the way we find a national park but could not see any other animal other than monkeys, because we were going to Lansdowne and not inside of national park.


Lansdowne is a small hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand and Pauri Garhwal district. The climate in Lansdowne is most pleasant. The British during their rule established cantonment here. The Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army had command office here. They maintained the place at their best in terms of cleanness, proper road, and conserving nature. While travelling through Lansdowne we can see it was surrounded by thick oak and pine forests. Really we can say the beauty of Lansdowne is the gift of God. It is the right place where tourists can adore nature in its eternity. It was my trip in which there is combination of adventure and scenic trip. Adventure in a sense that we climb some of mountains on the way to Lansdowne, and scenic because I found it is one of the most clean nature spot. On the way we took many pictures while climbing hills and the nature`s beauty. It was one of the best drive I ever had.

When we reached Lansdowne, the first view was breathtaking and we all say Wow!!……We were at top and can see down small houses, local people farms etc. The view was so angelic. At present, this place draws many tourists, from all over the world. It is a perfect place to visit because you can save from crowds. Our first destination was Bhulla Lake.


A well maintained and decorated lake where you can have fun while boating and relish in Fun Park. We enjoyed so much when we sit on sea-saw, jhula, we had done sliding and many more things. You can say we had enjoyed a lot. Beside the park there was Army School.



Our next destination was Tip-n-Top it was at most at the top. Here we come to know about a flower named Buras which is good for heart. One of the local men told me about this flower. The flower is red colored and beautiful.


What I can say about Tip-n-Top, I had no words. Most amazing, alluring kind of spot this is. On this top I saw Holiday Cafe & Restaurant; if somebody wants snacks or lunch can have here. We were feeling at the top of the world. From here we could easily see the snow covered Himalaya Mountain. The view from Tip-n Top can be defined marvelous. As you can see in the image view from Tip-n-Top Point.The cool fresh air was blowing giving us pleasure.

From here we climb a little more and saw tree houses which were well maintained. The tree house cost Rs.2500 a night. After this we went to an ancient temple at the top. It is Santoshi MaaTemple. Then we had some games, play cricket and had fun. At around 4:15 we come to city market for having lunch. After taking lunch we proceed back for Delhi.


On returning on the way due to excessive driving, our car got heat so we have to stop. Here the scene was so alluring. We went downwards, water flowing through pebbles and we can easily see fish swimming in water. One of my colleague Karthe catched two fish. Here we halt for 35 min. Again we start our journey while viewing marvelous view of Lancedowne. While coming down through zig-zag hills we play antakshari game and enjoy immense beauty.
At around 6:35 we reached Sidhbali temple. We went up to the temple because it was situated on a hill. We took some sweets for doing prayer and giving to God.The view from top of the temple was very attractive.After spending half an hour we left Sidhbali Temple and proceed towards Kotdwar and so on.

On the way back to Delhi there were many villages as I had earlier discuss where sugarcane found in ample.So we decide to stop over a village and see how people used sugarcane for making jagerry.It was around 9:00pm when we reached here.The driver took us their because he had much knowledge about the whole place. We all went inside a big hut there were one big machine in which sugarcane where grinding from which its juice is coming through pipes and filter in three way process and boiling. In my whole lifetime I had never experience like this.We learn how they make jagerry.The jagerry was pure and all of us tasted it several time.We also had fresh sugarcane juice there.Some of them have 6-7 glasses of juices. But really I could say that we were very happy to come here and enjoy alot.Here we spent 1 hour.

After having fun we come back to car and starts journey. It was around 10:00pm. The driver makes more speed so that we could reach Delhi in time.12:00 am at night we had dinner in dhaba. The food was simple and good. We reached Delhi around 1:15am and I reached home around 2:00am after dropping my colleagues.The journey came to end.The most memorable trip of my life till now where I had fun,enjoyed a lot the true beauty of nature,mountains,forests and watching all the attractions.I am so happy that we choose Lansdowne for making holiday trip.

Attractions:Karnva Ashram is located 14 km from Lansdowne,Sidhbali Temple (3 km) and Charaik Hills (20 km),Jwalpadevi (52 km),Tarkeshwar Mahadev (30 km),Durga Devi Temple,St. John’s Church,Bhulla Lake,Tip-n-Top,Santoshi Mata Temple,Bhairav Garhi temple,tree house,Jungle safari.
Best Time to Visit: March to October

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Cox's Bazar - Natural Sea Beach

Cox's Bazar is a town known for its beaches. It is also known as tourist capital of Bangladesh. Every year thousands of tourist travel to Bangladesh to visit Cox`s Bazar. It is located 150 km south of Chittagong. Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong.It is world’s longest natural sea beach. Its golden sands appeal the tourist so much. Cox`s Bazar is also known by name Panowa means “yellow flower”. Cox's Bazar is one of the most famous tourist destinations. Here you can see alluring Buddhist temples, pagodas and many more things to enjoy. The beach is stunning for taking sunbathing. The surfing waves attract lot of tourist towards itself. The local people are very humble and helpful. They guide you properly if you need their help. The best part of this beach is watching sunrise and sunset. The angelic beauty can be observed during the sunrise and sunset time. You can have favorable relaxed vacation here. The main rivers flowing through Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh include bakkhali, matamuhuri, Naf, Maheshkhali channel, Kutubdia channel and Reju Khal.

Cox`s Bazar is the place where you can have all fun includes enjoying sea beach activities like sunbathing, catching fish, enjoy the scenery, can view conch shells, tribal handicraft which are made by local people,handmade cigars, delightful seafood, the most famous dry fish of Cox`s Bazar called Shutki can buy from here. Cox`s Bazar is surely Bangladesh ultimate destination.Its immense beauty, vibrant culture and travel spots makes it popular among the tourists.

Best Time To Visit- The best season to visit Cox`s Bazar is from September to February.

Attractions:


Laboni Beach: It is the main beach of Cox`s Bazar. It is mostly crowded.







Enani Beach: This beach is famous for golden sand and ideal place for sunbathing. It is about 32 km south of Cox`s Bazar.



Himchari: Famous for picnic spot with its beautiful waterfalls. The top attractions includes broken hills, Christmas tree, Himchari National Park etc.




Ramu: Here you can see pagodas, monasteries which contain the images of Buddha in Gold and other metals as well. Ramu is a typical Buddhist village. This place has its own charm. The most famous is the large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a six feet high pedestal.



The Buddhist Monastery of Aggmeda Khyang is a major tourist spot. It is near the entrance of the town. A number of bronze Buddha statues found here.

Maheskhali: It has an area of 268 square kilometers. It is a small island. The island surrounded by panoramic beauty. The island is surrounded by mangrove jungle. The Adinath temple can be seen on the hills of the coast.


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