T he
D arjeeling
(U n )L imited
I
’d previously written about my ex-
hilarating experience in Nepal.
After covering 5 provinces, sever-
al national parks and enjoying the
company of the Himalayas in ev-
ery possible way, it was time to say
goodbye.
On my way back, I chose to take the
Nepal-Darjeeling border which was
hillier and more scenic compared to
the Nepal-Siliguri border. As a good-
bye note I would say that Nepal, a
simple and beautiful country in every
way, is a ‘must go’ destination for all
travellers!
As I stepped out of Nepal, I prom-
ised to myself that I would be back
someday, my bucket list ever growing
with things I wish I could do if I had
the luxury of time.
The last part of completing securi-
ty checks and some formalities at the
border were done smoothly. I was
now back on home ground and was
headed towards Darjeeling, a city in
the foothills of the Himalayas which
is part of the State of West Bengal in
India. Situated at an altitude of 2045
TRAVERSE 109
metres, Darjeeling is renowned for its
‘Darjeeling Tea’, enjoyed for its aro-
ma, flavour and lightness throughout
the world. Besides the tea, Darjeeling
is also known for its scenic beauty,
mountain ranges, and small-town co-
lonial charm.
Darjeeling has always been a
charming little hill station, providing
respite from the summer heat of In-
dia. The evidence of this dates back
more than a century. It was during the
British Rule in India when Darjeeling
was chosen to be the sanatorium for
officers, soldiers and civil servants
from the East India Company.
The outskirts of Darjeeling is very
calm, it’s where you can truly witness
the history, where the real charm of
this little hill station has remained
preserved and intact. Darjeeling too,
just like Nepal, is dotted with Buddhist
monasteries, old temples, colonial
style churches and other monuments
which brings to life the evidence of
the harmony that existed, and still ex-
ists, between different religions and
ethnic groups.