Description of Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a town and a town is situated in the eastern side of India. It is located in the Trivial Himalayas at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042.2 m). It is famous for its tea industry, its enormous views of the Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the command center of the Darjeeling District which has a partially self-governing status within the state of West Bengal. It is also a popular tourist destination in India.

History of Darjeeling

The noted history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the foreign administration under the British Raj set up an infirmary and a military depot in the region. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established in the region and tea growers developed mixes of black tea and created original fermentation methods. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognized and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world.

The Darjeeling is well connected via Himalayan Railway to the town with the plains and has some of the few steam trains still in facility in India.

Darjeeling has numerous British-style public schools, which attract followers from all over India and a few neighboring countries. The varied culture of the town reproduces its diverse demographic milieu comprising Nepali, Lepchas, Bhutia, Tibetans, and other mainland Indian ethno-linguistic groups. Darjeeling, alongside its neighbouring town of Kalimpong, was the centre of the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s. The town's fragile ecology has been threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanisation.

Geography of Darjeeling

Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and also the headquarters of the district. It is located at an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,000 m) in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region on the Darjeeling-Jalapahar range that originates in the south from Ghum. The range is Y-shaped with the base resting at Katapahar and Jalapahar and two arms diverging north of the Observatory Hill. 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. The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the town in the distance. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, 8,598 m (28,209 ft) high, is the most prominent mountain visible. In days clear of clouds, Nepal's Mount Everest, 29,035 ft (8,850 m) high, can be seen.

Weather of Darjeeling

Darjeeling has a temperate climate (Köppen: Cwb, subtropical highland climate) with wet summers caused by monsoon rains.The annual mean maximum temperature is 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) while the mean minimum temperature is 8.9 °C (48.0 °F), with monthly mean temperatures ranging from 6 to 18 °C (43 to 64 °F). The lowest temperature recorded was −5 °C (23 °F) on 11 February 1905. The average annual precipitation is 309.2 cm (121.7 in), with an average of 126 days of rain in a year. The highest rainfall occurs in July. The heavy and concentrated rainfall that is experienced in the region, aggravated by deforestation and haphazard planning, often causes devastating landslides, leading to loss of life and property.Though not very common, but the town receives snow at least once during two winter months of December and January.

Best Time to Visit Darjeeling

Darjeeling experiences a pleasant weather throughout the year but the ideal time to visit the hill station is from February to May and September to November. Its average temperature during winters varies between 2 to 10 degrees C and the maximum summer temperature can only go up to 15 degrees C. But the region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Visitors are adviced to carry rain wear in all season and light woolen clothes in summer also.

How to reach Darjeeling

By Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, 90km from Darjeeling. 
By Rail : Nearest major stations are New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.
By Road : Darjeeling is connected via all weather motorable road with Siliguri, Kalimpong, Gangtok.