IolaWatriama22 at 23:42, 17 April 2026

2026-04-17T23:42:09Z

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[[Image:Darjeelingflags.jpg|right|thumb|Colourful Buddhist prayer flags around [[Mahakal Temple (Darjeeling)|Mahakal Temple]] at Observatory Hill, [[Darjeeling]].]]
[[File:Darjeeling St. Andrew's Church.jpg|right|thumb|[[St. Andrew's Church, Darjeeling]]. Built- 1843, Rebuilt- 1873]]
[[File:St. Andrews Church situated in Darjeeling.jpg|right|thumb|St. Andrew's Church, Darjeeling. A view from the downhill side road, May'17]]
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
The '''culture of [[Darjeeling]]''', [[India]], is diverse and has a regional distinctness.{{sfn | West Bengal (India) | 1980 | p=126}}

==Festivals==
The two predominant religions of Darjeeling are [[Hinduism]] and [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]]. [[Dashain]], [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]], [[Buddha Jayanti]], [[Christmas]], [[Holi]], [[Ram Navami]], etc. are the main festivals. Besides them, the diverse ethnic populace of the town also celebrates several local festivals. [[Buddhist]] ethnic groups such as the Lepchas, Bhutias, Sherpas, Yolmos, Gurungs, and Tamangs celebrate [[new year]] called [[Losar]] in January/February through festivals called [[Maghe Sankranti]], [[Chotrul Duchen]], and [[Tendong Lho Rumfaat]]. The [[Kirati people|Kirati]] ethnic groups such as [[Limbu people|Limbu (Subba)]], [[Yakkha people|Yakkha]], [[Sunuwar people|Sunuwar]], [[Rai people|Rai (Khambu)]] celebrate their festivals of [[Ubhauli]] [[Udhauli]], [[Sakela]] and [[Chasok Tangnam]] etc. [[Deusi/Bhailo]] are songs performed by men and women, respectively, during the festival of Tihar.

[[Darjeeling Carnival]], initiated by a civil society movement known as The Darjeeling Initiative, was a ten-day carnival held yearly during winter that portrayed the rich musical and cultural heritage of Darjeeling Hills as its central theme.<ref name="frontline2003">{{cite journal | last = Chattopadhyay | first = S.S. | date = December 2003 | title = The spirit of Darjeeling | journal = Frontline | volume = 20 | issue = 25 | url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219000306600.htm | accessdate = 2006-05-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060513215230/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219000306600.htm | archive-date = 13 May 2006 | url-status = usurped }}</ref> Every year, cultural festivals are held in the town of Darjeeling and its surrounding areas.

==Cuisine==
The people of Darjeeling consume a diverse variety of foods. Each ethnic group has its own distinct traditional food. A popular food in Darjeeling is the ''[[momo (food)|momo]]'', a steamed dumpling containing chicken, mutton, pork, beef or vegetables cooked in a doughy wrapping served with a watery vegetable soup and spicy tomato sauce/chutney. Indigenous fermented food products such as [[gundruk]] (fermented and dried leafy vegetable), [[kinema]] (fermented [[soybean]]), and [[Sinki (food)|sinki]] (fermented and dried radish) are consumed by the people. [[Wai-Wai (food)|Wai-Wai]] is a favorite packaged snack of Darjeeling hills comprising noodles that are eaten either dry or with soup. Hard [[chhurpi]], a type of hard cheese made from [[cow]] or [[yak]]'s milk, is another popular mini-snack that is both nutritious and masticatory. Soft chhurpi, a traditional soft cheese, is consumed along with green vegetables as savoury dishes, used as filling for momos, ground with tomatoes and chillies for chutney or made into a refreshing soup. A type of [[noodle]] called [[thukpa]], served with soup and vegetables/meat, is extremely popular in and around the hills of Darjeeling. There are a number of restaurants offering a variety of traditional Indian, Continental and [[Indian Chinese cuisine]] to cater to tourists. [[Tea]] is the most popular beverage, procured from the famed [[Darjeeling tea]] gardens, as well as [[coffee]]. [[Chhaang|Chhang]] or ''jaanr'' is a local alcoholic beverage made from fermented [[millet]], maize or rice.
[[Image:St Andrews Church, Darjeeling.jpg|right|thumb|St. Andrew's Church, [[Darjeeling]]: During snowfall]]

==Architecture==
Colonial architecture characterizes many buildings in Darjeeling; several cottages, [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] churches, the [[Raj Bhavan, Darjeeling|Raj Bhawan]] (Governor House), [[Darjeeling Planters' Club|Planters' Club]] and various educational institutions are examples.<ref name="archi">{{cite web |title=Transformation of Architectural Character of Darjeeling |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342145361 |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Suryendu |last2=Garg |first2=Pushplata |date=November 2016 |access-date=12 February 2022 |work=Urban heritage conservation of Colonial hill stations of India: A case of Darjeeling.}}</ref>{{sfn | Bhattacharya | 2013 | p=442–61}} [[Buddhist]] monasteries showcase the [[pagoda]]-style architecture.

==Music==
Darjeeling is regarded as a center of music and a ''hotbed'' for musicians and music admirers. Singing and playing musical instruments is a common pastime among the resident population, who take pride in the traditions and role of music in their cultural life.<ref name="naturecentric">{{cite web | url = http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07011.htm | title = The Nature-centric Culture of the Nepalese | accessdate = 2006-07-31 | author = Rasaily DP, Lama RP | work = The Cultural Dimension of Ecology | publisher = Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060715224122/http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07011.htm | archive-date = 15 July 2006 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The varied ethnic groups have different types of songs and dances, often associated with festivals. Some dances of Nepali origin include [[Maruni]], [[Dhan Nach|Dhan dance]], [[Jhankri]], [[Yatra]], [[Damphu drum|Damphu]] (Tamang selo), [[Balan dance|Balan]], [[Deora dance|Deora]], [[Khukuri]], [[Pancha Buddha]], [[Dhimay]], [[Sangini]], [[Chutki dance|Chutki]], [[Jhyaure]], [[Sakhiya dance|Sakhiya]].<ref name="darjeeling-tourism.com 2021">{{cite web | title=Nepali Folk Dances in Darjeeling | website=darjeeling-tourism.com | date=9 March 2021 | url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_000172.htm | access-date=18 February 2022 | archive-date=15 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215214657/https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_000172.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Western music is popular among the younger generation, and Darjeeling is a major center of [[Nepali rock]] music. [[Prashant Tamang]], the winner of [[Indian Idol 3]], is a resident of [[Darjeeling]].

==Sports==
[[Football (soccer)|Football]] is the most popular sport in Darjeeling. An improvised form of ball made of rubber bands is often used for playing in steep streets, and is known as [[Chungi]].<ref name="Nepali Times">{{cite web | title=Chungi on the Chowrasta- Nepali Times | website=Nepali Times | date=1 December 2005 | url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=9219#.Yg5O9E3MK3A | access-date=17 February 2022 | archive-date=31 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531170100/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=9219#.Yg5O9E3MK3A | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Darjeeling Chronicle 2019">{{cite web | last=Krishna | first=Bal | title=Darjeeling - Games We Played | website=The Darjeeling Chronicle | date=9 March 2019 | url=https://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/darjeeling-games-we-played/ | access-date=17 February 2022 | archive-date=17 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217133744/https://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/darjeeling-games-we-played/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Films==
Darjeeling is also a popular setting for [[Bollywood]] and [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali films]]. Noted Bengali film director [[Satyajit Ray]] shot his film ''[[Kanchenjungha]]'' (1962) here. Bollywood movies such as ''[[Aradhana (1969 film)|Aradhana]]'' (1969), ''[[Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman]]'' (1992),
''[[Main Hoon Na]]'' (2004), [[Parineeta (2005 film)|''Parineeta'']] (2005), ''[[Barfi!]]'' (2012), ''[[Yaariyan (2014 film)|Yaariyan]]'' (2014) and ''[[Jagga Jasoos]]'' (2017) were partially filmed in town.<ref name="darj bollywood">{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/film-shooting-process-on-toy-train-goes-digital/articleshow/84163605.cms|title=Film shooting process on toy train goes digital|last=Singh|first=Bikash|date=6 July 2021|accessdate=6 June 2021|work=The Economic Times|archive-date=6 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706051015/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/film-shooting-process-on-toy-train-goes-digital/articleshow/84163605.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Singh Vogue 2020">{{cite web | last=Singh | first=Deepali | title=7 Bollywood films that will whisk you off to Darjeeling, on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar | website=Vogue India | date=13 September 2020 | url=https://www.vogue.in/culture-and-living/content/bollywood-movies-filmed-in-darjeeling-on-netflix-amazon-prime-video-and-disney-hotstar | access-date=22 July 2022 | archive-date=13 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313055706/https://www.vogue.in/culture-and-living/content/bollywood-movies-filmed-in-darjeeling-on-netflix-amazon-prime-video-and-disney-hotstar | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Places of interest==

Some notable places to visit include the [[Tiger Hill, Darjeeling|Tiger Hill]] (a panoramic view of [[Mount Everest]] and Mount [[Kangchenjunga|Kanchenjunga]] together), the [[Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park]] (notable for conservation of [[red panda]]s), monasteries, and the tea gardens. The town attracts trekkers and sportsmen seeking to explore the [[Himalayas]], serving as the starting point for climbing attempts on some Indian and Nepali peaks. [[Tenzing Norgay]], one of the two men to first climb [[Mount Everest]], spent most of his adult life in the [[Sherpa people|Sherpa]] community in Darjeeling. His success provided the impetus to establish the [[Himalayan Mountaineering Institute]] in Darjeeling in 1954. In the [[Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre]], Tibetan crafts like carpets, wood, and leather work are displayed. Colonial architecture is exemplified in Darjeeling by cottages, [[St. Andrew's Church, Darjeeling]] [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] churches,<ref name="HTbuildings">{{cite web|title=Darjeeling's British legacy: A journey in time|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/darjeeling-s-british-legacy-a-journey-in-time/story-7hPeYh3E6MvdCISrqNDUzM.html|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|date=11 June 2017|access-date=12 February 2022|archive-date=12 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212232722/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/darjeeling-s-british-legacy-a-journey-in-time/story-7hPeYh3E6MvdCISrqNDUzM.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Darjeeling Planters' Club|Planters' Club]],<ref name="The Statesman 2020">{{cite web | title=Planters Club members want lost glory back | website=The Statesman | date=14 February 2020 | url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/planters-club-members-want-lost-glory-back-1502855976.html | access-date=13 February 2022 | archive-date=13 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213165754/https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/planters-club-members-want-lost-glory-back-1502855976.html | url-status=live }}</ref> the [[Raj Bhavan, Darjeeling|Raj Bhawan]] and various educational institutions.<ref name="archi"/>{{sfn | Bhattacharya | 2013 | p=442–61}} Several monasteries like [[Ghoom Monastery]] (8 km or 5 miles from the town), [[Bhutia Busty monastery]], [[Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery|Mag-Dhog Yolmowa]] preserve ancient Buddhist scripts. A [[Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling|Peace Pagoda]] was built in 1992 by the Japanese Buddhist organisation [[Nipponzan Myohoji]].<ref name="outlooktraveller 2018">{{cite web | title=A Peace Pagoda Pathway: Discover The Lesser-Seen Locations Around India | work=Outlook Traveller | date=5 September 2018 | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/69012/a-peace-pagoda-pathway-discover-the-lesser-seen-locations-around-india | access-date=13 February 2022 | archive-date=13 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213195156/https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/69012/a-peace-pagoda-pathway-discover-the-lesser-seen-locations-around-india | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling|Mahakal Temple]] on [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling|Observatory Hill]] is a pilgrimage site for Hindu and Buddhists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/67546/mahakal-mandir-darjeeling |title=There is much more to the queen of hill stations than clock towers, post offices, toy trains and tea. Welcome to the land of pious pleasure and holiness...on a height! |last=Chodon |first=Thinley |work=Outlook Traveller |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=23 April 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131434/https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/67546/mahakal-mandir-darjeeling |url-status=live }}</ref> Although tourists have come to Darjeeling in vastly greater numbers after India's economic liberalisation, they have spent less on average, resulting in Darjeeling's luxury tourism increasingly giving way to [[mass tourism]].{{sfn|Brown|Scrase|Ganguly-Scrase|2017|p=535}} Since 2012, Darjeeling has once again witnessed a steady inflow of both domestic and international tourists. As of 2015, around 50,000 foreign and 500,000 domestic tourists visit Darjeeling each year,<ref>{{cite web |title=Darjeeling hills showing highly positive tourist inflow picture |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-05-24/news/39502040_1_legendary-toy-train-festive-season-eastern-himalayan-tour |website=timesofindia-economictimes |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305145023/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-05-24/news/39502040_1_legendary-toy-train-festive-season-eastern-himalayan-tour |url-status=dead }}</ref> the so-called "Queen of the Hills" continuing to appeal strongly to the imagination of tourists.{{sfn | Middleton | Shneiderman | 2018 | p=1}}

==See also==
[[Chowrasta (Darjeeling)|Chowrasta]]

[[Culture of West Bengal]]

==Citations==
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==References==
*{{cite journal | last=Bhattacharya | first=Nandini | title=Leisure, economy and colonial urbanism: Darjeeling, 1835–1930 | journal=Urban History | volume=40 | issue=3 | date=1 August 2013 | pages=442–461 | pmid=24273391 | doi=10.1017/S0963926813000394 | pmc=3837203 }}
*{{citation|last1=Brown|first1=Trent|last2=Scrase|first2=Timothy J.|last3=Ganguly-Scrase|first3=Ruchira|title=Globalised dreams, local constraints: migration and youth aspirations in an Indian regional town|journal=Children's Geographies|volume=15|issue=5|year=2017|pages=531–544|doi=10.1080/14733285.2016.1274948|s2cid=152220638 |url=https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Globalised_dreams_local_constraints_migration_and_youth_aspirations_in_an_Indian_regional_town/27503613}}
* {{cite book| editor1-last=Middleton|editor1-first=Townsend|editor2-last=Shneiderman|editor2-first=Sara|title=Darjeeling Reconsidered: Histories, Politics, Environments|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New Delhi|year=2018|isbn=978-0-19-948355-6}}
* {{cite book | author=West Bengal (India) | title=West Bengal District Gazetteers: Darjeeling | publisher=State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers | series=Gazetteer of India | year=1980 | url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ministry.08794 | access-date=5 February 2022}}
{{Darjeeling}}

[[Category:Darjeeling]]
[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Culture of India by city|Darjeeling]]

Culture of Darjeeling - Revision history

IolaWatriama22 at 23:42, 17 April 2026