Darjeeling Information

Since Darjeeling has always been the abode of people from different parts of the India and the British, it represents a mixed population as well as culture. However, the history states that the original inhabitants of the Darjeeling hills were Lepchas or Rongpas (the ravine folks). Although their origin is still in oblivion, experts found their featured similarity with the Mongolians. Another branch of the Lepchas, known as Khampas can also be categorized under the original inhabitants of Darjeeling, however, they are warrior-like in their attitude and debonair than their docile cousins. However, the Khampas are recent immigrants from Tibet.

The major of demography in today’s Darjeeling is featured with the industrious and very enterprising Gorkhas. Featured as short, Mongolian Nepalese, Gorkhas can speak various dialects and widely known for their military prowess. History testifies that Gorkhas were the first to be revered with the coveted Victoria Cross. Their traditional weapon known as Khukri, a curved ornamental knife, bears the representation of their characteristic vigor.

The other part of the population comprises the Newars or Sherpas, Bhutias and a greater bulk of Bengalee from Siliguri subdivision.

Culture of Darjeeling

When it comes to culture of Darjeeling, we should turn our attention toward the history of the region once again. Darjeeling featuring a mixed demography also boasts of a widely assorted cultural panorama. While talking about the rich culture of Darjeeling, we should start the discourse with Nepali Folk dance. The dance song is lyrical and is influenced by the ideals of both Hinduism and Buddhism, the two dominating religions in Darjeeling. According to their traditional belief, the dances were performed very often to appease gods and goddesses in the temples.

Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity to some extent have always been the predominating religions of the hilly town. Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and English are the prevailing languages. However, Bengali is mostly spoken in the plains and others including Tibetan is popular among the inhabitants and the refugee staying in the hilly tracts.

Festivals in Darjeeling also represents a mixed flavor. Apart from Durga Puja Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja and Shivratri, there are also many local festivals, which are unique to this region. Lepchas and Bhutias also perform New Year and the Tibetans perform Devil Dance to celebrate New Year in the monasteries.

When it comes to satiating your gastronomical craving, Darjeeling offers countless exotic homely foods. Among the most popular lip-smacking dishes, momos, thupkas, Shaphalay, Aludum, Tibetan tea and Tongbo are widely popular.

Bo discourse about the culture of this hilly people ends without talking about exquisite handicrafts produced by them. Their traditional handicrafts resemble the art pieces of neighboring Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. Their unusual talent is exhibited in the crafty art work , wood work, bamboo fret work, blankets, woolen knitted garments and woven fabrics, hand-bags, wall panels, fire-screens, folding partitions, Bhutan paintings, cotton shoulder-bags etc and many others.

Festivals in Darjeeling represent a mixed culture. Since it is the homeland of many different religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and to an extent Christianity at the same time, many festivals take place throughout the year. The land presents a true cultural unity in spite of its diversity in terms of caste, creed, religion etc.

In addition to the leading festivals of West Bengal, like Durga Puja, Diwali, Saraswati Puja and Shivratri etc many local festivals are celebrated with great grandeur. These local festivals are traditional peculiarity only to the area. While the Lepchas and Bhutias celebrate the New Year in January, the Tibetans organize their Devil dances to celebrate their New Year in their monasteries from the last week of February to March. Following the Chinese tradition, many people organize the snake or dragon dances curl through the streets to celebrate New Year. Let’s take a look to the leading festivals of the season here.

January – February

Maghe Sankrati, the first day of the Nepali month is celebrated with utter fun and grandeur. The coldest day of the year is celebrated to welcome warmer weather, better health and prosperity. Eating yam and the elders blessing the younger ones by putting a small piece of yam on their foreheads are the leading features of the festival.

Losar or Lhosar is the Tibetan New Year. Celebrated for 15 days, the main events of Losar are organized on first three days with new clothes and good food. The Chaam (Tibetan Costume and Mask Dance) marks the eve of Losar. On this day, the Dali Monastery performs a special Chakrasambhara (Mandala) prayer with a colorful Mandala. On the 15^th day of Losar, a special religious ceremony known as Cho-Nga Cho-pa is performed, where the monks built butter sculpture.

March – April

Ram Nawami: This is Hindu festival, which marks the birth of Lord Rama , the son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. It is celebrated with Holy Puja and small events.

May – June

Saga Dawa: Celebrated on the 15^th day of the Tibetan Calender, Saga Dawa is Buddha’s birth and day of his death.On this day he attained Nirvana as well.

Asar ko Pandra: This is the 15^th day of the Nepali calendar month, Ashar. Nepalis eat curd and chewra (beaten rice) following the tradition that Goddess Parbati gave Lord Shiva curd and chewra on this day. This food can give you salvation.

July – August

During these months, a serious f festivals take place, significant of which are Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Tibetan), Shrawan Sankranti(Nepali), Chokhor Duchen(Nepali), Naag Panchami (Hindu), Tendong Lho-Rum-Faat (Tribal Lepcha), Kushe Aaushi(both Nepali and Hindu).

September – October

The significant festivals of these months are Teez or Teej (Brahmins of both Nepali and Hindu),Biswakarma or Viswakarma Puja(Hindu), Dasain or Dashain (both Nepalis and Hindus)

November – December

The year’s festival ends with Tihar or Teohar, a festival of Nepali Hindus.

Snuggled by a series of rolling mountains and shimmering Mt. Kanchenjunga towering over the azure sky, the sobriquet “Queen of Hills” appropriately fits to Darjeeling. The small town offers a perfect getaway to those seeking to enjoy the vacation in the lap of the nature. Revered by the connoisseur worldwide, Darjeeling is the abode of muscatel flavored Darjeeling tea and harbors the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, where the century old small steam engine still offers the classical flavor of British India. Today, Darjeeling is best acknowledged as the land of six T’s- Tea, Teak, Tourism, Toy train, Tiger hill and Trekker’s Paradise.

However, the small town of Darjeeling has a rich, historical heritage. Derived from the Tibetan word “dorjee” meaning thunderbolt and “ling” meaning land, Darjeeling is also known with its nickname- “the land of thunderbolt”. Although forming a brief period of Sikkim and Nepal, the history of Darjeeling cannot be traced back before 1835, the year of its acquisition by East India Company. During the 19^th century, the Gorkhas acquired the land and overrun the boundary of Sikkim eastward beyond Teesta and conquered and annexed Terai. However, the Gorkhas were prevented to overrun the northern Frontier by the Company and by the Treaty of Saguli Nepal had to cede all those territories annexed by the Gorkhas.

After a long ten years, the Gorkhas again egg on creating dispute with the Raja of Sikkim, thereby the Company, when Captain Lloyd was deputed to settle the dispute. Later Mr. J.W. grant, the Commercial Resident of Malda came to the hills and was captivated by the inviting natural splendor of the small hilly tract of Darjeeling. Finally, Lord Bentinck deputed Captain Herbert to assist Capt. Lloyd for examining the location, map and communication benefits of the place. Later the British government established a sanatorium in Darjeeling. In due course, a series of conflicts between the native rulers and the British, burn Darjeeling with the fire of incessant political dispute. However, in 1866 peace was established on all fronts, making it an epoch year in the pre-independence history of Darjeeling.

In the post-independence period, the history of Darjeeling was mainly featured by the administration of the Gorkha Hill Council. After the formation The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Act, the district administration plays a pivotal role as an intermediate between the council and the Government. Critical issues viz. elections, panchayat, law and order, revenue, etc. are still handled by the district administration.

The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Act was passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly as the West Bengal Act 13 of 1988 offering it the status of an Autonomous Council for the social, economic, educational and cultural advancement of the Gorkhas and other people residing in the hill areas of the district of Darjeeling.

Darjeeling is a land of mixed religions and cultures. People of many different religions worship their god here. Therefore, a number of religious shrines are found instituted on the soil of Darjeeling. Most of them are also considered as the interesting tourist destination. Here, you will get a detailed list of those religious shrines, which are not only considered holy but also visited by a large chunk of visitors every year.

Ghoom Monastery: Built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso founded the Ghoom Monastery. Revered as the holiest monasteries, it was personally bestowed by the renowned Tomo Geshe Rimpoche of Tibet. In this monastery you will get huge collection of rare books on Buddhism . The monastery houses a grand statue of the ‘Coming Buddha’ known as Maitreye Buddha.

The Mag – Dhog Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery (Aloobari Monastery): Established by its main priest Ven, the foundation of the monastery has coincidence with the beginning of the First World War in 1914. Following the incident, the shrine was named Mag-Dhog, which means “warding off the war and dedicated to the cause of world peace.”

It is an interesting tourist destination in Darjeeling. The statues of Lord Buddha displaying different forms of humanity and Buddha’s existence, are far from just describing it with merely human words. The statue of Lord Buddha and Padma Sambhava installed here has carved their own place in history of Indian architecture. The paintings on the wall are made by using herbs and grass, which represents an amazing work of art. The embossed images on the paintings can leave you spell bound. The Holy Scriptures inscribed on the monastery defines the historical facts related to that monastery.

Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery (Dali Monastery): Situated at Dali, this monastery is 4kms away from the Darjeeling town. This is one of the famous monasteries belonging to the Kargyupa sect. The pioneer of this monastery was Thuksay Rimpoche, who died in 1983. It was believed that he had his reincarnation, born in 1986 at Ladakh.
Sangchhen Thong, Delling Gompa (GYING):
According to the inscribed scripture in the forecourt of the monastery, the monastery was established in 1818. It is the oldest monastery in Darjeeling; however, the town of Darjeeling had not any existence at that time. This area was then an important part of the kingdom of Sikkim. However, the available data with the Ecclesiastical Department of Sikkim tells a different story.

All these monastery and religious shrines have diverse interesting things for which they are coveted by tourists worldwide. So if you are planning to visit Darjeeling in near future, do not miss visiting these religious shrines.