Are you a Nature Lover - visit Takdah

Those who are looking for crowd free sleepy hill destinations for them the perfect answer is Takdah. Takdah with panoramic scenic beauty, lush green tea gardens and blooming orchids surely will win your hearts.

Takdah was a British cantonment during pre-independence era. Even today many significant structures from British era can still be found. For example the old club situated 1 km away from the town amidst cedar trees is the witness of British cantonment.

28 km from Darjeeling Takdah is situated at the altitude of 4,000 ft. Takdah derived from a Lepcha word 'Tukdah' means mist or fog you can witness how appropriate is it once you visit Takdah. With gurgling fountains, singing of birds, fogy devious roads and trails through forest Takdah is ready to welcome you with warmth.

In and around Takdah you can visit few of the Darjeeling's finest and spectacular tea gardens. First to mention one of the most picturesque tea garden of the district is Rungli Rungliot tea garden. Rungli Rungliot means 'Thus far and no further' is named by a monk as per local legend. Further down don't forget to visit Gielle, Namring and Pubang tea gardens.

Just below the Pubang tea garden is a 100 years old cable stayed hanging bridge built in 1916. If you try to find out the capacity of this bridge you will be amused to find out a plaque on the top of the main pillar. No weight unit was mentioned there. On the metal plaque following words are inscribed. "Weight limit - Not more than 10 ponies". Think a bit and you will get a clue to walk down 100 years back. Takdah cantonment was established in the year 1911. The only transportation route to Siliguri was via Ghum. That was a lengthy road. For supplies a shorter way was required. Thus this hanging bridge was built.

If open witness tea processing while visiting tea factories. In Teesta valley tea garden there is a view point mentioned as Durpin Dnara by the locals is a must visit place. Here you can witness the panoramic top view of Teesta which will take your breath out for sure. From Rambhi to Sevoke the entire course of river Teesta for this stretch will be beneath you on a clear day. You may get confused that whether you are watching Google earth.

Once Asia's best Orchid Centre is situated in Takdah was neglected for over decades but now once again initiative has been taken to revive it. Dechen Pema Choeling monastery is not that old, built in 1985, but worth to pay a visit. The view of the rolling tea gardens from here is mesmerising.

Take a drive towards Taquleen monastery via Soreng. This monastery is 107 years old and belongs to Ningma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Here you will find an interesting story. On a morning of 2004 after prayer was over everyone left monastery. Then it was under lock and key. Suddenly a sound of trumpet started coming out from the monastery. Surprised monk and locals rushed to monastery and opened it up but no one was there and trumpets were kept as usual. According to the belief of locals it must had played by lord himself.

There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your Philosophy

Tinchuley is only 3 km away from Takdah. You can visit the place to witness snow-capped mountain ranges. The weekly market (local haat) of Takdah is known as Dokan Dnara. It will add another dimension to witness this market on Thursday.