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Travel to Chitwan...

Part Victorian holiday resort, part major tea-growing centre, DARJEELING (from Dorje Ling, "the place of the thunderbolt") straddles a ridge 2200m up in the Himalayas and almost 600km north of Calcutta.Darjeeling - the name is derived from the Tibetian word 'Dorje' which means the precious stone or ecclesiastical sceptre, which is emblematic of the thunderbolt of Indra, and 'ling' - a place, hence the land of the thunderbolt. The sceptre of Indra is believed to have fallen at a place where now stands the Observatory Hill. The town remains as popular as ever with holiday-makers from tha plains, and promenades such as the Mall and the Chowrasta still burst with life. in North Bengal, is about 650 kms from Calcutta. The Tibetan buddhist monastery, the Ghoom Monastery with a 15 - foot high statue of Maitreya Buddha, is the most famous monastery of the town. The greatest appeal for visitors has to be its stupendous muntain vistas - with Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world dominating the northern horizon. Darjeeling soon became the most popular of all hill resorts, especially after the Hill Cart Road was built in 1839 to link it with Siliguri.

Facts and Figures :

Area	2238.39 sq km
Altitude	1945 mts
Temperature	Summer : Max 14.89 °C, Min 8.59 °C. Winter : Max 15 °C, Min 6 °C.
Language	English, Bengali, Gorkha, Nepali and Tibetan
Rainfall	320 cm

History :

Part Victorian holiday resort, part major tea-growing centre, DARJEELING (from Dorje Ling, "the place of the thunderbolt") straddles a ridge 2200m up in the Himalayas and almost 600km north of Calcutta. Until the nineteenth century, Darjeeling belonged to Sikkim. However, in 1817, after a disastrous war with Nepal, Sikkim was forced to concede the right to use the site as a health sanatorium to the British, who had helped to broker a peace settlement. Darjeeling soon became the most popular of all hill resorts, especially after the Hill Cart Road was built in 1839 to link it with Siliguri. Tea arrived a few years later, and with it an influx of Neaplese labourers, and the virtual disappearance of the forests that previously carpeted the hillsides. The town's growing economic significance led Britain to force a treaty on the Sikkimese in 1861, thereby annexing Darjeeling and Kalimpong. In the early 1900s, Darjeeling had a reputation for being one of the most glamorous and far-flung outposts of the British empire, attracting socialities and adventures in equal numbers. After Independence, the region joined West Bengal, administered from Calcutta, but calls for autonomy grew, taking shape in the Gurkhaland movement of the 1980s. The uncertain days of politically motivated wildcat strikes once more threaten to cripple Darjeeling, but the boom in tourism looks set to continue.

How to Reach :

Air: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 90 km away from Darjeeling. Bagdogra is connected to important cities of the country by domestic airlines.

Rail: Gwalior is on the Central Railway's main Delhi-Bombay and Delhi-Madras lines. Among other major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi Expresses connect Gwalior with Delhi and Agra.

Road: New Jalpaiguri /Siliguri is the rail head for all trains, except the toy train running to Darjeeling. Siliguri is connected to Calcutta and other parts of the country by train.

Best Season to Visit Chitwan :

Best season to visit Darjeeling is between March to May and September to November. Bring light woolen clothing during summer and heavy woolens in winter.

Sightseeing :

›› Royal Chitwan National Park :

Prior to 50s', Chitwan district including Bharatpur was covered with dense forest and was famous for hunting and observing wildlife. During the Rana regime, VIP guests from home and abroad used to come here for enjoying with the glimpse of natural beauty. In 1973 AD, since it was felt the need of preserving the rare wildlife area of the world, Royal Chitwan National Park was established as a first national park in the kingdom. It is spread over 932 Sq. km. It lies on 21 kms east from Bharatpur Municipality. The major wildlife found in the park includes one horned rhinoceros, royal bengal tiger, bear, leopard, ghariyal, many exotic birds and varieties of plants etc.

›› Narayani River :

Narayani River flows through south-western part of the municipality. It is the deepe Narayani River, Chitwan

st river in the kingdom. This is the most popular destination for river rafting which starts at Trishuli River, some 150-kms north from Bharatpur. Narayani river is also known by the name of Saptagandki. Trishuli, Budhi Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Daraundi, Seti, Madi and Kali Gandaki are the seven major rivers are the finally confluence then called as Narayani river. More than 40,000 tourists from different countries enjoy white water rafting adventure in this river every year. The beautiful creatures of nature like dolphin and crocodile are also available in the river.

›› Bees Hajari Taal :

Located in the middle of jungle and 10 km away from the city of Narayangarh, the lake lies in ward No. 8 of Geetanagar V.D.C. Considered the second largest natural wetland in Nepal, this area houses many rare species of birds along with deers, peacocks and many other rare flora and fauna. At seasons, migratory birds from as far as Siberia can be spotted here. This place is very calm, beautiful and exciting mainly for bird-lovers.

Excursion :

›› Bikram Baba :

During the month of Chaitra (march-april), a large number of devotees visit the place to worship the idol of Bikram Baba. This place is located just a little further of Kasara, by the Rapti river. Bikram baba is the popular god of the indigenous people of Chitwan, the THARUS. Bikram baba is believed to grant the wishes of people who pray with a faithful heart. Several childless couples visit here, as it is believed that they conceive by praying here.