Every year, when scorching hot summers hit India, many people have get-togethers with friends and family and prefer spending time in forests or hilly regions. One such destination for Indians during their summer vacations is Darjeeling.
Located in the Indian state of West Bengal, Darjeeling stands at the foothills of the mighty Himalayan mountains, with the third highest mountain peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga in the backdrop and of course, the city’s world-famous lush green tea estates.
Hearkening back to older, better times of the Himalayas, tea estates and toy trains, spectacular pictures of Darjeeling have attracted Indians and are making the rounds on social media. With the summers finally phasing out, making way for monsoon rains, this is the perfect time to visit the hill-town in India.
The iconic toy train of #Darjeeling.
— Ankur Lahoty, IIS (@Ankur_IIS) June 11, 2020
As beautiful as it can get🙂@IRTS_SETU @IRTSassociation #IndianRailways @gdx987 @ParveenKaswan @incredibleindia #thursdayvibes
Credits: @Ghumketu1 pic.twitter.com/Avl2e6P8XD
17:58hrs
— Darjeelinsisदर्ज़ीलिंसिस🇮🇳 (@la_edgaria) June 5, 2020
An evening...
Onepart of chilling #Darjeeling pic.twitter.com/zzgKvmMwrz
The #indian #himalayan #railways
— trvlHIMALAYAS (@trvlhimalayas) June 7, 2020
The joy ride in the #queenofhills.
Though History was made to exploit but at present days it is one of most popular amusements in #darjeeling#video #amazing #travel #nostalgic #toy #train #darjeelingtea
Darjeeling West Bengal, India. pic.twitter.com/HAgpoFTcSD
Tks 4 sharing these beautiful pictures speaking itself the immense beauty of this wonderful place called DARJEELING, had many many memories down this place but everytime i view it keeps on whispering new tales. Taming its grandeur is difficult but you have done beautifully
— Saroj Bachhawat (@SarojB3) June 5, 2020
#ExploreIndiaSeries
— India In Medan (@indiainmedan) June 6, 2020
Darjeeling Himalayas - Poetry in Motion – Darjeeling, a quaint town in West Bengal on Himalayan foothills, is home to narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train". Also known for Darjeeling Tea
via @IncredibeIndia @TourismBengal @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/qxUPidqAw8
The hill town houses 78 tea estates and welcomes tourists from around the world who hop on Darjeeling’s ancient and famous toy trains, rolling through the hills and tea farms.
Called “poetry in motion” -- these toy trains – established way back in 1891 -- make for one of the most inviting attractions for tourists visiting the quaint town. They are also listed as heritage sites by UNESCO.
This year, however, the toy trains are left without either purpose, be it joy or rides, due to the pandemic.
Fearing the deadly virus, all touristy facilities in India remain quiet. Nobody is travelling without purpose. The country has recently entered the first phase of its unlock after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a nationwide lockdown on 24 March.
