Until the early part of the eighteenth century, Darjeeling was under the king of Sikkim. Later Gorkhas invaded the region and annexed the area, which they eventually lost to British. The British used the place to escape the heat and found the strategic importance of the area. They, hence, developed the area as a hill station and tea-growing area. Darjeeling is well known for its tea industry and eco-tourism.
Darjeeling is thought to be derived from the word Dorjeeling, which literally means ‘the place of Dorjee’ the majestic thunderbolt. Some believe that the thunderbolt belongs to the Lamaist religion and some believe that it belongs to Lord Indra.
Timber, tea, and tourism underpin the economy of Darjeeling. The tea plantations were originally developed by the British. Oranges and cardamom are also available in plenty. Traditional arts and crafts of Tibet and Sikkim are the products available for shopping. Traditional Tibetan and Sikkimese food as well as other Indian cuisines are available.
Rain can be expected any time in a year. Summer and spring are the two seasons most popular with the visitors. Darjeeling is a famous destination for Bollywood and Bengali film shooting.
The most popular and ubiquitous mode of transport is a four-wheel drive. Land rovers, especially, are the choice of tourists. They can easily serpentine through the steep and sometimes narrow roads of the hill.
Several local festivals are celebrated throughout the year. The festivals are colorful and the visitor should ensure that they are in Darjeeling to take part in the celebrations of one of these festivals.
Fast Facts
State: West Bengal
District: Darjeeling
Famous for/as: Hill Station
Languages: Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, English
Best Season: Sep – June
Weather: Summer 19 to 37°C, Winter -2 to 24°C
Altitude: 2050 m
Pincode: 734101
STD code: 0354
