To Infinity And Beyond: Winter in Darjeeling

One day on the department notice board I saw this notice of 'The Winter School on Particle Physics' (WAPP), this school was organized by the Bose Inst., Kolkata and TIFR-Mumbai. It was going to be held at Darjeeling. It took me no time to think that I was applying for the school. One of my main motivation to participate and attend the school was the possibility of visiting Darjeeling and travel in the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).

I left for darjeeling as soon as my exams got over on 12th Dec,09. I had to take a long route via kolkata and siliguri. Finally I reached DJ on 15th one day after the start of the school. The journey was tiring but not boring. I had a brief stay at my friend Sainik's place in kolkata, I was really humbled by the warmth and love of his family members. When I reached DJ the school had started and I had to sit for the lecture even without brushing my teeth. I managed to do so before lunch somehow. The weather in DJ was real cool!! I was shivering from head to toe. It was so cold that one could not hold a pen even. Then in the evening i shifted to my hotel which was an ancient Gothic style hotel called "The Swiss Hotel".

The WAPP schedule was hectic and we used to be busy the whole day. By the time we use to leave the institute it was dark. So we had to restrict ourselves to take a round at the local market and interacting with locals was our favorite timepass. Although the issue of Gorkhaland is on the boil there the tourist are safe and people are in general good natured.

Then one day when it was a holiday the organizers had planned a trip for local sight seeing. On 18th morning we got up at 03:30 in the morning it was freezing outside. We went to one place called the Tiger Hill which is around 13kms from the main town.

Tiger Hill

"Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters (8482 ft.) and 13 kilometers from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the "Kanchenjunga" and the great eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here. The hesitant rays of the early morning sun paint these peaks in pale gold. Source: http://darjeeling.gov.in/

Then next stops were the Batasia Loop and Ganga Maya Park.

"The Batasia loop situated almost 5 km away from the town is a gigantic railway loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 Degree turn. It was basically built to make it possible for the Toy Train to cut the deep ascend. Strategically located the Batasia Loop offers a panoramic view of the Kanchanjunga Range.A War Memorial constructed in the memory of the brave sons of the soil who laid down their lives in the different wars since the independence of the nation adds to its attraction." Source: http://darjeeling.gov.in/

"The participants of WAPP posing at the Batasia Loop. The Kanchenjunga peak is hidden by fog and clouds"

"Situated 10 km from town, Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park has now developed into a very attractive picnic spot with natural water falls. The park offers boating facilities and is endowed with great scenic beauty." Source: http://darjeeling.gov.in/

On the way to Ganga Maya Park we stopped for a brief moment at the 'Orange Valley Gardens' and enjoyed the view of tea gardens over the slope of the hills.

After a short break we went to the 'Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park'. I was specially fascinated to see the Red Panda which was a rare sight and a special moment for me.

After the zoo we went to this place called 'Himalayan Mountaineering Institute'

"The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following the successful ascent of the Mount Everest-the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir EdEdumund Hillary on 28 May 1953. The oldest mountaineering institute in the country carries out various mountaineering courses every year. Apart from Tenzing, legendary mountaineers like Nawang Gombu(the first man to climb Everest twice) and Lattoo Dorjee Sherpa have helped build the reputation of this pioneering institute. The institute is presently under the purview of the Minstry of Defence, Government of India."

Source: http://darjeeling.gov.in/

This day was the day when we visited most of the places possible in Darjeeling. I stayed back one day after the school and visited some more places like the Ghoom Monestory and the Chowrasta. But the main highlight of the short outing was the 7000 per kg tea which I drank at the Nathmull's (one of the oldest tea sellers of DJ). I drank a cup of that which cost me around 75 Rs. Most of the time of the day was spent in photographing the general public.

Ghoom Monestory

Darjeeling Tea!!

One more special thing about Darjeeling is the fact that worlds second highest peak 'Mt Kanchenjunga' stands as a wall against the backdrop of the town and is really a awesome sight.

People of Darjeeling

The last phase of my DJ stay was the most important one. The journey in the Himalayan Railway. The train started at 09:15 AM from Darjeeling station and reached New Jalpaiguri at 04:16 PM. The distance between the two places is just 86 Kms. With this train you can leisurely enjoy the nature the fullest. It was a slow but a fascinating and memorable journey. With this I have the privilege of travelling in all four mountain railways in India. They are
1.Kalka-Shimla, 2.Neral-Matheran, 3.Ooty-Mettupalayam, 4. Darjeeling-New Jalpaiguri(Siliguri).

On the way back I stayed at sisters place in Kolkata for a couple of days and we enjoyed a lot. It was christmas evening, we stepped out of the house and went to the maidan area where the famous Victoria palace is situated there I saw crowd of people as never seen before and it seemed that the entire Kolkata is out on the streets!! The next day I got a chance of meeting my dear friends Ushoshi and Upasana and relived some old moments.

I reached home on 29th. This was end to my winter holiday in Darjeeling!!

I hope you like the pictures. Please leave your valuable comments and suggestions.

WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR