The beauty of armchair travels is that at any moment you can be any place in the world and discover new and wonderful things. From the Andaman Islands we step onto the mainland of India. Our first stop here is a lovely town Darjeeling, located in the West Bengal State of India in the Himalayan foothills. It is well-known for its distinctive black tea that is grown on plantations doting the surrounding slope. The town’s backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.
The region’s most famous monastery is Yiga Choling Gompa. You can see impressive old murals and it’s home to some 30 monks of the Gelugpa school. The monastery was built in 1850 and enshrines a 5m-high statue of Jampa (Maitreya or “Future Buddah”) and 300 beautifully bound Tibetan texts.
Close-by is the …show more content…
This white pagoda is one of more than 70 pagodas built around the world by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan Myohoji Organization. During the drumming puja (prayers) sessions, visitors are offered a hand drum and encouraged to join in the rituals. Visitors enjoy the scenic Singalila National Park, offering spectacular views of the Himalayas. If you prefer you can hire a guide. The park is known for its incredible peaks and panoramic views. This is a trekker’s paradise with a variety of mountainous vegetation, fauna and birds. Some of the wildlife you might encounter includes rare and endangered species like the Red Panda, Black Bear, Leopard, Tigers, Clouded Leopard, Serow, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin and Takin.
Take the time to ride the amazing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately called the Toy Train. It made its first journey along the precipice-topping, 2ft.-wide tracks in September 1881. It is one of the few hill railways still operating in India and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It offers regular diesel and steam service and joy
The region’s most famous monastery is Yiga Choling Gompa. You can see impressive old murals and it’s home to some 30 monks of the Gelugpa school. The monastery was built in 1850 and enshrines a 5m-high statue of Jampa (Maitreya or “Future Buddah”) and 300 beautifully bound Tibetan texts.
Close-by is the …show more content…
This white pagoda is one of more than 70 pagodas built around the world by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan Myohoji Organization. During the drumming puja (prayers) sessions, visitors are offered a hand drum and encouraged to join in the rituals. Visitors enjoy the scenic Singalila National Park, offering spectacular views of the Himalayas. If you prefer you can hire a guide. The park is known for its incredible peaks and panoramic views. This is a trekker’s paradise with a variety of mountainous vegetation, fauna and birds. Some of the wildlife you might encounter includes rare and endangered species like the Red Panda, Black Bear, Leopard, Tigers, Clouded Leopard, Serow, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin and Takin.
Take the time to ride the amazing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately called the Toy Train. It made its first journey along the precipice-topping, 2ft.-wide tracks in September 1881. It is one of the few hill railways still operating in India and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It offers regular diesel and steam service and joy