Due to the varied mix of cultures in Darjeeling, the local and ethnic food of Darjeeling is also quite varied. The Darjeeling urban agglomeration consists of Darjeeling Municipality and the Tukvar Tea Garden (Tukvar valley). [67] Several tea estates are being run on a workers' cooperative model, while others are being planned for conversion into tourist resorts. The north-eastern arm dips suddenly and ends in the Lebong spur, while the north-western arm passes through North Point and ends in the valley near Tukver Tea Estate. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This beautiful tourist destination of the east is well known for its exotic location, excellent weather, world popular tea, Toy Train and many more. It is a Darjeeling version of cheese. The 0–6 years population is 7,382. Darjeeling, also fondly known as the "Queen of hill stations", is nestled in the Himalayas and famous for its tea production and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which … You can get these items at low prices in Darjeeling if you bargain a … The varied culture of the town reflects its diverse demographic milieu comprising Lepcha, Khampa, Gorkha, Newar, Sherpa, Bhutia, Bengali[7] and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. The prevailing languages are Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and English. [6] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has some of the few steam locomotives still in service in India. [60], The town has an underground sewage system, covering about 40% of the town area, that collects domestic waste and conveys it to septic tanks for disposal. Darjeeling, known as the Queen of the City of Shell. [33], Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and also the headquarters of the district. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognised and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world. It is prepared with Mung beans. Darjeeling is also well known for woolen items like shawls, scarves, hats, jackets, etc, and also offers handicrafts and exotic Tibetan items. [74][75] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 600 mm (2 ft) narrow-gauge railway that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 for being "an outstanding example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of a multi-cultural region, which was to serve as a model for similar developments in many parts of the world",[76] becoming only the second railway in the world to have this honour. After the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816 CE between the Gurkha king and the East India Company, Darjeeling was ceded to Sikkim through British India. Darjeeling has seen a significant growth in its population, its decadal growth rate being 47% between 1991 and 2001. [88] Tea (especially butter tea) is the most popular delicacy. This homemade rice bread is very similar to doughnuts. Reviewed 1 March 2016 The … The soil is chiefly composed of sandstone and conglomerate formations, which are the solidified and upheaved detritus of the great range of Himalaya. Situated at the Northernmost part of West Bengal at an elevation of 6,700ft, Darjeeling allures a huge amount of tourists throughout the year. According to an India Today survey published on 23 December 2015, Darjeeling is the third most Googled travel destination among all the tourist destinations in India. [11][19] In 1848, a military depot was set up for British soldiers, and the town became a municipality in 1850. Darjeeling is well known for quite a few items, mainly their large selection of tea and woollen items such as shawls, scarves, hats and jackets. Thukpa is homemade noodle soup with meat, eggs and/or vegetables. Show Prices. This is the reason why darjeeling is famous. Sel Roti is a famous food in Darjeeling and is basically a mildly sweet ring-shaped bread. [61] Solid waste is disposed of in a nearby dumping ground, which also houses the town's crematorium. But these days, Darjeeling is famous for all the wrong reasons. [26], Socio-economic problems of the region that had not been addressed during the British Raj continued to linger and were reflected in a representation made to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1947, which highlighted the issues of regional autonomy and Nepali nationality in Darjeeling and adjacent areas. Gradually by 1852 Darjeeling began its initial business with three Darjeeling Tea Estate's specifically Tukvar, Steinthal, and Aloobari. She is an Indian.. January 9, 2021. [6] Darjeeling produces 7% of India's tea output, approximately 9,000,000 kilograms (20,000,000 lb) every year. [73], Darjeeling can be reached by the 88 km (55 mi) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri, or by National Highway 55, from Siliguri, 77 km (48 mi) away. Other communities that inhabit Darjeeling include the Anglo-Indians, Bengalis, Biharis, Chinese, Marwaris, Rajbanshis and Tibetans. Price: INR. [58] Besides tea, the most widely cultivated crops include maize, millets, paddy, cardamom, potato and ginger. Buddhist monasteries showcase the pagoda style architecture. Written bySukanya Sen. views. The territory of Yakthung Laje Limbuwan, including Darjeeling, became a de facto possession of Sikkim, although it was not ruled by Sikkim but long remained as leasehold land. [56] TA conservation centre for red pandas opened at Darjeeling Zoo in 2014, building on a prior captive breeding program.[57]. Summit Grace Hotel & Spa. Because they are technically oolong teas, they brew to a light amber infusion with a fresh, floral aroma. The BEIC sent a force to free them. Presently, around 50,000 foreign and 500,000 domestic tourists visit Darjeeling each year,[72] and its repute as the "Queen of the Hills" remains unaltered. This Himalayan Railway is popularly called as the toy train by the locals. Darjeeling, alongside its neighbouring town of Kalimpong, was the centre of the Gorkhaland social movement in the 1980s and summer 2017. The hoots and hisses of this train ride transport you back in time and this comparatively slow moving train gives you ample time to take in the beauty of each scenery. The elected members of this body are authorised to manage certain affairs of the hills, including education, health and tourism. [31] New protests erupted in 2008–09, but both the Union and State governments rejected Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's (GJM) demand for a separate state. [26] After the independence of India in 1947, Darjeeling was merged with the state of West Bengal. [84] Darjeeling also has a Peace Pagoda that was built in 1992 by the Japanese Buddhist organisation Nipponzan Myohoji. Full-Day Private Darjeeling Sightseeing including Optional Tiger Hill The total length of all types of roads within the municipal area is around 134 km (83 mi). Darjeeling has several British-style private schools, which attract pupils from all over India and a few neighbouring countries. [81][82], Dashain, Tihar, Losar, Buddha Jayanti, Christmas are the main festivals. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Darjeeling, India on Tripadvisor: See 47,329 traveler reviews and photos of Darjeeling tourist attractions. [62] Vermicomposting of vegetable waste is carried out with the help of non-governmental organisations. Show Prices. [43] The average annual precipitation is 2,380 mm (94 in), with an average of 105 days of rain in a year. It is located at an elevation of 2,000 m (6,700 ft)[4] in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region on the Darjeeling-Jalapahar range that originates in the south from Ghum. Darjeeling is a great place for some rest and relaxation and, you will be happy to know, it also offers some retail therapy options. It is a narrow gauge rail that is 2ft in width and runs between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri and was built in the years between 1879 and 1881. The district's forests and other natural wealth have been adversely affected by an ever-growing population. [67] More than 60% of workers in the tea gardens are women. [77] It reopened in February 2012. The Lloyd's Botanical Garden preserves common and rare species of plants, while the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park specialises in conserving and breeding endangered Himalayan species. In 2012, the DGHC was replaced by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). 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