Want to avoid visiting tourist congested hill
towns like Darjeeling? But still like to enjoy the lovely mountains
& scenic views, the tea gardens, blooming orchids, the walking trails
through the coniferous forests on mountain slopes? Then Takdah can be a perfect
answer. Not many know about this small hamlet, a treasure secret, because it's
yet to develop as a full fledged tourism place. Takdah is located at an
altitude of about 4,000 ft and close to Darjeeling (about 28kms away), yet far
enough to be isolated, quiet and serene. Although the altitude is much lower
than Darjeeling town, the place is cooler compared to its surrounding
area.
The original name was pronounced as 'Tukdah',
which is a Lepcha word meaning mist or fog. And the name is aptly given as the
place often remains covered with fog. So what can you expect? Misty meandering
roads, chirping of the birds, nature trails passing through dense forests,
sound and sight of fountain streams coming down the slope of mountains every
few yards you walk - this is what Takdah is.
Takdah started as a military cantonment
during the British colonial days in early 1900s. During those days, many senior
British officers frequently visited this place. And therefore many bungalows
and houses came up here for their accommodations. Those houses were built in
traditional British architecture with slanted roofs.
Attractions & Activities in
& around
1) Some of the finest tea gardens of
Darjeeling district are located in Takdah. You can walk down or take a local
taxi tour to some of them and enjoy the tea gardens on rolling hills. The main
tea estates in Takdah are Rungli Rungliot, Gielle, Namring, Jinglam, Poomong,
and Teesta Valley estate. You can also visit the estate factories and watch the
tea processing (in winters the factories usually remain closed).
2) Further down from Rungli Rungliot you will
reach the Gielle Bhanjyang Bazaar, also known as Gandhi Chowk. Once there used
to be a statue of Mahatma Gandhi here, but no longer so. This is the border
point of Jinglam Tea Estate and Gielle Tea Estate.
From Gielle Bhanjyang Bazaar crossing point,
if you go downward you can reach Namring, Jinglam and Poomong tea estates. But
why should you come to Gielle Bhanjyang? Because from here you can see many
places in one go like Kalimpong Town, Durpin Dara, Mangpoo, Rambi Khola,
Takdah, Ranju vally, 6th mile, Tiger Hill etc.
3) Takdah has a great Orchid Center spread
across vast stretch of area. It's about half a kilometer from the market
area towards 6th mile. Here you can see many different kinds of unusual and
colorful Himalayan Orchids being cultivated and grown. Many tourists come to
Takdah particularly to visit the Orchid Center.
4) There is a small monastery in Takdah whose
actual name is Dechhen Pema Tshoiling Monastery, but locally known as Takdah
Monastery. A steep uphill boulder road after the market area leads to a steep
stairway. You will need to climb several flights of stairs to reach up to the
Monastery. But once there, the views are awesome. From here you can get
sweeping view of Rungli Rungliot Tea Gardens, Teesta Valley Tea Estate and
Durpin Dara View Point, Kalimpong etc. I had taken the first picture of Rungli
Runliot Tea Garden on this page from the monastery premises (near the
entrance).
How to reach Takdah
Takdah is about 60kms from NJP (the nearest
railway station) as well as Bagdogra (the nearest airport). It takes about 2.5-3 hours
to reach Takdah by car from NJP or Bagdogra. Siliguri, the nearest town is
about 52kms from Takdah, Darjeeling is 28kms away (about 1.5 hours by car) and
Kalimpong about 40kms (2 hours).
From Darjeeling, you need to come up to
Jorebungalow and take a left to Peshoke road. At a place called 6th Mile take
right towards Takdah, while the original road continues towards Teesta Bazaar
(Note: here the places are named on their distances from Jorebungalow like 3rd
mile, 6th mile, 9th mile etc).
Best time to visit Takdah
October to March is the best time to visit
Takdah and the nearby areas. This is the time the sky remains clear and you can
enjoy the chill of the winter. But you can visit the place during summer time also, to beat the heat.
For Booking you can contact us;
Call us at +91-8670752141 or +91-8900699294
Mail us at tours@adieu.co.in
Website : www.adieu.co.in
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