Introduction

Darjeeling is an embodiment of all visions that lead to serenity. Whichever way you look at it, the vibrant green hills steeped in splendor, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas ; from every standpoint beauty is the key word.

The town of Darjeeling has an area of 11.44 sq. km and is situated at an altitude of 2134 m. The languages spoken out there are mainly Nepali, Bengali, Hindi and Tibetan.

Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. The flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS. Darjeeling - the name is derived from the Tibetian word 'Dorje' which means the precious stone or ecclesiastical sceptre, which is symbolic of the thunderbolt of Indra, and 'ling' - a place, hence the land of the thunderbolt. The sceptre of Indra is believed to have fallen at a place where now stands the Observatory Hill.

Darjeeling summons thousands today for a leisurely respite from the bustle of the madding crowd. The traveler - whether a tourist or a trekker, an ornithologist or a photographer, a botanist or an artist - will find in Darjeeling an experience which will remain etched in ones memory - forever.