We, the students of Mass Communication, Mizoram University are provided with an opportunity to go for a week long study tour to a certain destination every year. The students, guided by the teachers of the department, choose a destination as the department requires lots of course which requires rigorous practical work and in-depth understanding. We took along video/still camera and necessary equipments as the department aims to impart theoretical knowledge and practical skills of handling them.
For this year's trip, Darjeeling, West Bengal was chosen as the destination. The name Darjeeling comes from the Tibetan words, Dorje (thunderbolt) and Ling (place or land), meaning the land of the thunderbolt. The history of Darjeeling district is linked to that of the Sikkim, East India Company, Nepal and Bhutan.
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| My first shot as we entered Darjeeling taken from the moving vehicle |
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| One of the most stunning shot I could do best of Tea Gardens from Rope way (Cable car) It's a 40 minute journey. And I love to tell you that while we're here up, if you got negative thoughts you couldn't sense the enjoyment that is deserve... Like me :D |
Participants: 2nd Semester Students from Department of Mass Communication, Mizoram University.Numbers: Male - 08 Female - 09 Total - 17Guide Teachers: Ms. Lallianpuii and Ms. Indira Devi
Tour Time Line
12th March 2014 : Departed from Aizawl at 6:20 p.m.
(Wednesday)
13th March 2014 : Arrived in Guwahati at 4:20 p.m, settled in (Thursday) Zobuk. Left Guwahati in the night at 10:00 pm by Avadh Assam Express Train for New Jaipalguri Station.
14th March 2014 : Arrived in New Jalpaiguri Station, Silguri in the morning at 6:20. Left Siliguri after a shortwhile and reached Darjeeling at noon. Dropped luggage off in ‘Morning Glory’ Hotel.
15th March 2014 : Visited:
(Saturday) 1) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
2) Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
3) Darjeeling Ropeway
4) Tea Estate
5) Tibetan Self Help Refugee Centre
6) Bengal Natural History Museum
7) Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda
16th March 2014 : Visited:
(Sunday) 1) Mirik Lake
2) Pashupati market (In Nepal Boarder)
(Shopping done here)
17th March 2014 : 1)Visited:
(Monday) a) Tiger Hill
b) War Memorial
c) Rock Garden
2)Shopping
18th March 2014 : Left Darjeeling for New Jaipalguri Train Station after morning meal. Left New Jalpaiguri Train Station for Guwahati at night.
19th March 2014 : Arrived at Guwahati in the morning.
(Wednesday) And last shopping time there.
20th March 2014 : Leaving Guwahati for Aizawl
(Thursday)
21st March 2014 : Returned back to Aizawl in the morning
(Friday)
Study tour held from 12th to 21st of March 2014 under the guidance of Ms. Lallianpuii and Ms. Indira was successful, all the experience and knowledge that we gained shall be the light for us in our future. My deepest gratitude goes to two of our respected guides and to almighty God for those answered prayers, we prayed thoroughly so as to be safe and to achieve our plans.
I said that to the most peaceful state, where I’d grown up ‘goodbye, so long’ as if I’d leave my city to study abroad and will return back in next two or three years when two hired Ebebnezer sumo’s began to take the road and the darkness of night began to loom over the capital. Our member Lawmkima, accompanied by a girl who cannot come with us in our trip. I’d expected to see his tears rolling from his eyes before we left` but I’d missed it.
Though everyone were not ready to face the unusual weather and mosquitoes, we were but happy to arrived at our first destination, Guwahati. We took bath, hung around for a short while and had fun and dinner. And left for New Jalpaiguri by train the night itself.
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| First shot later the arrival of Guwahati, this was located close to Zobuk.
To reached for Darjeeling from the New Jalpaiguri Train Station. You have to travel by road hiring Sumo from Siliguri which takes around 5-6 hours.
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| ‘Take me home, country road’ No big problem for pictures while on wheels, the road as smooth as glass, blasting stereo with also time by time prayer in thought :) this driver drives really fast though if we raced, he'll lose for sure :p |
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| Short rest in a restaurant, we had breakfast |
Hello, Queen of the Hills!
At last, we reached to Queen of the hills,
Mark Twain seems to have visited this Hill station and penned down his impression about Darjeeling as the;
"Land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that away for the shows of the rest of the world combined"
Such is the beautiful land of Darjeeling. Thank God for reaching us safe! We were lucky to have book a hotel, the name, 'Morning Glory' very close to a market. Guys start to make fun of the hotel's name, if especially your a man then you are bound really to understand :) gloriously every morning, there is some sort of thing that happen to us but here even the girls understood far too well!
We were taking bath with cold water, it is silly and merely like selling ice-cream among the eskimos when it was the coldest.
Shopping plus Dinner
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| The first food I ate after I reach Darjeeling in Keventers Restaurant |
The evening later, it was too late for sightseeing or any official programs, our guide (rather us) scheduled on the spot invented like 'free as a bird' till 8:00 p.m. This has become exactly a year that I visited this place; the first time back in the year 2013 during our College Study Tour. While some of our friends took rest in the hotel. Some of us divided into groups went for shopping at Chowrasta, big bazaar, antique shops etc and we had dinner after we finished shopping(probably for today haha).
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| Keventers Reataurant. This restaurant is famous as one of the scene from famous 'Barfi'(2013) Movie took place. |
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| Dinner @ K.F.C. with Zothana(shooter) Sangtea, Amos |
Heavenly Seven
Leave behind those too personal for a while, proceed on about tourist points we visited for now, be it cultural, heritage and nature. I hope it all gave us an educative value, as I perceived that Darjeeling makes one closer to old charm heritage, nature and its beauty.
1) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute(H.M.I)
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling is located at the Jawahar Parbat. It was set up after the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by local hero Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. H.M.I is the oldest mountaineering institute in the country. H.M.I also houses a two stories museum where artifacts associated with many Everest and other mountaineering expeditions are kept on display (Unfortunately no photos is included as photography is prohibited within the museum) along with three dimensional models of the entire Himalayan ranges.
Other than Tea Gardens, shopping items manufactured by mainly Gorkhas and Tibetan, well curved focus for tourist's Souvenir, get displayed in most Tourists Points are also the backbone of their economy. So, without having mention every now & then. It is good to know there are always something that you can buy for, from cheap ones to heavy prices in most points. I will portray it through photographs then, crystal clear.
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| Don't search for me you won't find, I, the photo shooter knows already you'll die to see me, please take a look on other photos i will be there, must be there, be there :) |
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| Inside Shop |
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| Group Photo. I said don't search for me. You can see the photographer!! :D |
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| Beautiful in their own way. Some of our friends in traditional outfit. One for 25 rupees, hey I mean it include just wearing and photograph. Not that you take away for souvenir back home by 25 rupees... |
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| Souvenir Shop. You can see at the right side down there, sailor's binocular from large to smaller size available. I only had a glimpse when I went back home viewing them through images. O...How come I didn't see at first or at least second sight earrrrr(vai deuh takin)............ :) I could have bought them all. |
2) Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Padmaji Naidu Zoological Park was opened in 1958, and an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), is the largest high altitude zoo in India. Padmaji Naidu Zoological Park is the only specialized Zoo in the country and is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programmes of Red Panda, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of Eastern Himalaya.
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| Classified as Carnivores, friendly bear without any fence. As you see, there is only around 10 feet gap from the visitors viewing area. Awesome Yeah ! PIx : Sangtea hanging on him 'ipte chei' |
3) Darjeeling Ropeway
The 3 k.m ropeway ride, provide visitors a unique opportunity to sample the beauty of the tea gardens against the stunning back drop of the Himalayas. Darjeeling Ropeway is one of the popular tourist attractions in this lovely holiday destination. Also known as the Rangeet Valley Cable Car, the ropeway was started in 1968 by the Forest Development Department. Initially, it was set up to cater to the tea gardens at the valleys below which were not easily accessible. However, today, the cable cars at Ropeway have become an integral part of Darjeeling Tourism.
It takes 150 rupees for riding once for a person because this rope way ride offers stunning views of the mountains, valleys and tea gardens below.  |
| While others scream & shout like as if we are in the middle of a jungle....... |
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| ..........I, cool & calm, the sense of paradise I enjoy |
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| As seen from here above |
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| Us, taken by Puia as pass by from their cable car |
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| A cup of coffee had calmed him down, the rope way survival :) |
4) Tea Estate
We stopped at Tea Estate in Happy Valley on our way for Tibetan Self Help Refugee Centre around fifteen minutes and took photos with their traditional dress which was fun.
Tea Plantation is still the backbone of Darjeeling's economy and Darjeeling tea has its own flavour. Tea is produced in a traditional way distinctive from the ways adopted by other tea producers in India. Evergreen tea estates perfect the natural scenery of Darjeeling and for one who wishes to visit a tea estate, Happy Valley is the nearest destination.
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| Tea Estate |
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| Down there is a small area where you can dress up traditional which you have to pay, not much. It's your choice to let them take picture and get it print on the spot. |
5) Tibetan Self Help Refugee Centre
Outside the shop it reads, ‘your purchase will help the people of this centre and our products are not sold outside shop’.
The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre was started on October 2, 1959. At that time, following the dramatic escape of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, thousands of Tibetan, leaving hearth and home, fled into the neighboring countries to live as free human beings. The overwhelming majority of the refugees had brought nothing with them apart from the clothes they wore and what little provisions they could carry with them as they began the long and difficult trek over the Himalayas.The production of handicrafts continues to be the main activity. To date the centre has been exporting to 36 countries all over the world.
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| Inside Showroom : Besides traditional items such as Tibetan carpets, wood, metal and leather works. We get all these in good price which we can keep or as gift for friends and the money goes for charity, a chance for becoming a bless for the needs. |
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| Lopsan(right), age 76 has been living in this refugee Centre for 20 years. |
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| Kritin, age 82 has been living in this refugee Centre 4 years and blessed with a son. |
6) Bengal Natural History Museum
If you like to know about the fauna of Darjeeling district and that of the state, don't miss out on the Bengal Natural History Museum. It's only a few minutes downhill walk from the Chowrasta Mall. It started as a modest effort way back in 1903 when the then Governor of Bengal initiated creation of a small museum in the Botanical Gardens of Darjeeling.
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| The Estuarine Crocodile |
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| The Artist in action |
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| "Please, can i pose for you" says she... "Why not" :P |
7) Japanese Temple & Peace Pagoda
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| Japanese temple |
A wonderful Japanese temple located at a 10 minutes driving distance from the Darjeeling town center.
The two storied white building was built in a traditional Japanese style in the year 1972. Close to the temple is the Peace Pagoda that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha. From the top of the Pagoda, you get a panoramic views of Darjeeling landscape including the Kanchenjunga range.
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| Peace Pagoda |
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| The Wall of Peace Pagoda contains GOD EXHORTING TO PREACH THE DHARMA curving craft. |
8) From Mirik and to Pashupati
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| We stopped, hours of drive is yet needed for Mirik lake. Joseph and his new Nepali friends managed to pose near a spot where we ate breakfast. |
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| Life is full of decisions: Rinthari took time to decide for her breakfast |
It took quite long to travel from our hotel to Mirik Lake, 50 kilometers drive from Darjeeling, Mirik is said that the climate is pleasant for most part of the year. Even though we have not witness, during the season that it is also said it gives a nice view of the snow capped Himalayan range and the valley around the region, both sunrise and sunset are breathtaking from here. There is a Hindu temple called the Singha Devi Mandir is situated on the western bank of the lake.
Most of our members didn’t miss out riding horses, we should pay around Rs 150/- for one round ride. But everyone missed out boating though boating and mule rides are good pastimes here.
Mirik is known for the Samendu Lake situated at an altitude of 1750 meters/5800 feet. The main attraction of Mirik is Sumendu Lake with the boating facilities. The Lake is nearly 1.25 kilometers long lake with a depth of nearly eight meters. A 25 meters arch bridge over the lake forms a beautiful sight. Other attractions of the regions are the beautiful tea gardens, Orange orchard and the Cardamom plantations.
9) Pashupati market (In Nepal)
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| Entry gate to Nepal |
Located on the Indo-Nepal border in the Darjeeling District, we travelled to Pashupati Market. An 11 kms drive from the town of Mirik, famous for foreign goods, the Pashupati market also marks the getaway to the Kingdom of Nepal(see photo).
We were unlucky to visit on sunday, most shops had close down. But most of us bought items of our own needs as they were cheaper. I was glad to get a baseball jacket made with leather in just Rs 1,500/- because the average cost is more than 3,500, and this is the price even in Darjeeling.
10) War Memorial
The War Memorial is located at the center of the Batasia Loop garden in Darjeeling. It has been created to honor and to serve as a memorial for the Gorkha soldiers of Darjeeling area who sacrificed their lives in various operations and wars after India's independence. Traditionally, there has been a high concentration of the Gorkha soldiers in Indian forces taking part in the wars from Darjeeling hills. There has been over 75 soldiers who have gallantly died in such operations post India's independence.
11) Rock Garden
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| Sangtea, Puia, Mazara, Reuben |
Finally, we were taken to the final destiny where you can rest and relax, enjoy the views around. We had to keep climbing stairs, go up the ramp and cross small bridges across the rocks to reach up to the top. There were beautiful flower gardens, trees and shrubbery at all levels along with nice seating arrangements. The shimmering waterfalls in every corner gaves pleasure.
The British secured Darjeeling from the Raja of Sikkim in 1835 and developed the area. the population had shot up to 10,000 by 1849. Spread on hill slopes, the town and the area became a major centre of tourist attraction.
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Glimpse of all these sites in Darjeeling inclined us, back in our state Mizoram, we got much more better resources to attract tourist which can become the backbone of our economy. Our state leaders seemed to have never fond of this thoughts, from now to make these happen in our state, it's like waiting for India to win the FIFA World Cup. |
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| Playing with exposure time, its just 2 seconds |
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| L.k-a standing at the top. I felt lazy, most of us were. You can climb for a long distance though we choose to sit, relax, shoot and enjoy the enchanting of flowing of water. |
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| Joseph, passionate photographer from our class. I disturbed him for a pose while he was busy setting his exposure triangle. |
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| Till death do us apart |
