Winter Wonders of Darjeeling

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Winter Wonders of Darjeeling

Sunday, 05 January 2025 | VISHESH SHUKLA

Winter Wonders of Darjeeling

Darjeeling’s misty mountains, scenic bus ride, and cosy Radhakunj Homestay offered the perfect winter escape amidst nature’s charm, writes VISHESH SHUKLA

In winter, the mountains are always beautiful, and hill stations are also enjoyable. So, I decided to visit one of the most beautiful hill stations in India, Darjeeling, West Bengal. I boarded the Falaknuma Express from Cuttack to Howrah, and then I changed trains to the Paharia Express, heading to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). The weather was very humid in nature, and for a moment, I thought I had chosen the wrong time to come to Darjeeling. But Darjeeling proved me wrong—cold waves and fog made me feel at ease.

I took an auto to the Siliguri bus stand for `50, then boarded a bus to Darjeeling for `105. The 4-hour bus journey, with its beautiful views and winding turns, made my heart swell with excitement. Finally, I deboarded and headed to my homestay, which was near Batasia Loop. I checked in at Radha Kunj Homestay, which offered very cheap accommodation, `4500 for three nights. The rooms were beautiful, and the window view in the morning, with Kanchenjunga in the distance, was nothing short of breathtaking.

It was around 5 PM, so I decided to visit Mall Road. I took a taxi for `50 and went to explore the beautiful area. First, I roamed around the market, soaking in the lively atmosphere. Then, I visited the very famous Glenary’s Bakery and enjoyed some delicious snacks there. Coincidentally, the Darjeeling Melotea Fest 2024 was happening nearby. I got to enjoy some amazing music by the famous singer Girish Chand. After that, I had dinner at a local restaurant near Mall Road. The meal was simple and tasty, costing me around `200. Feeling satisfied, I took a taxi back to my homestay for `100. Once I reached, I had a good sleep, ready and excited for the adventures the next day would bring.

Mirik’s Serene Shores

On Day 2, I woke up early in the morning and rented a scooty from ‘Bike Wale Bhaiya’ for `1500 for two days. I planned to visit Mirik, 34 km away, to see the famous Sumendu Lake. However, I missed the main route and ended up taking a secondary road, which stretched the distance to 50 km and took me around 4 hours to reach. The ride was not wasted, though, as I passed through beautiful tea gardens and stopped at a viewpoint called Lepchajagat.

Finally, I reached Mirik Lake, spent some peaceful time there, and then started my journey back to Darjeeling. On the way, I also visited the Nepal border at Pashupati Nagar and enjoyed a quiet dinner before returning to my homestay.

Darjeeling’s Iconic Landmarks

Day 3 was all about sightseeing in Darjeeling. I started my day at Tiger Hill to witness the stunning view of Kanchenjunga. Next, I visited the serene Ghoom Monastery and felt the peaceful vibes of Buddhism. After that, I stopped by the Peace Pagoda, built to promote harmony, and had my lunch. My next destination was the Rock Garden, located 3000 ft below the main road, which had some dangerous turns but was worth the experience. Finally, I ended my sightseeing with a visit to Batasia Loop to watch the toy train and the Zoological Park, which had some unique animals.

In the evening, I did some shopping at Mall Road, treated myself to ice cream at Keventer’s, and enjoyed delicious momos. I returned the scooty to the shop and headed back to my homestay to pack my bags because it was time to leave for home.

On the last day, I took a shared taxi for `400 to NJP. From there, I boarded the New Delhi Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express to Kanpur. The 17-hour journey brought me back home, and I ended my vacation with empty pockets but a heart full of beautiful and tremendous memories.

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