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Lepchajagat is a small village and a hill station in West
Bengal which is located at an altitude of 2123 m above sea
level. Lepchajagat lies close to Darjeeling. Lepchajagat is
about 14 km away from Darjeeling. Lepchajagat exactly means
the world of the Lepcha. It is not a national park or a
wildlife sanctuary. This part of North Bengal used to belong
to the Lepcha tribe and was bought from them and turned into a
reserve forest.
Earlier a quiet settlement of the Lepcha tribe, it became
famous after the British expedition into the region.
Lepchajagat is well-known for views of Mount Kanchenjunga and
the surrounding Himalayas from amidst hilly forests of
rhododendron, pine and oak. Lepchajagat is now, a popular
tourist spot.
Kanchenjunga, the queen of the Himalayas, has one of her best
views from Lepchajagat, an isolated hamlet in Darjeeling.
Lepchajagat is located in a dense forest of rhododendron, oak
and pine, it used to be a nondescript village of the Lepchas
before the British marked their footprint here in the early
19th century.
Sunrise and sunset from behind the Kanchenjunga and Darjeeling
illuminated at night are some of the picturesque views
afforded at Lepchajagat. It is also situated close to other
hill stations of the region such as Kalimpong, Kurseong,
Jorepokhri and Tiger Hill.
Now Lepchajagat has become a hotspot for nature-lovers and
honeymooners. The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation
has rebuilt a British bungalow as a guest house that ensures a
breathtaking view of the Himalayas from every room.
The name Kanchenjunga means “five treasures of snow”. Lucky
are those who get to view all five peaks together.Before the
sun starts rising over the Tiger Hill, which is on the other
side of Lepchajagat, the sky gradually becomes milky and then
blue. The orange and pink sunrays fall on the peaks and the
huge figure comes alive.The combination of the silence and the
magnificent mountain range in front has an almost meditative
effect.Darjeeling town looks like a hill dressed up in Diwali
lights.
To view a clearer view of Kanchenjunga, you can move to the
Balsan Valley, which is 2.5 km away from the guest house. A
kilometre-long trek route there is a place called Hawa Ghar
that commands a even clearer view of the queen. Jorepokhri is
another spot to watch the Himalayas in all its magnificence.
Lepchajagat makes a suitable amusement for people visiting the
popular tourist town of Darjeeling. Darjeeling is a very
popular destination with its Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute, high altitude zoo and is also the gateway for
people going to the Eastern Himalayas.
Lepchajagat is gaining popularity now-a-days as a very popular
birding destination.It is a very pretty and peaceful place, a
complete relief from busy life. The best part of it is, you
can have a lovely view of Kangchenjunga. And also it is very
easy to reach there. Avail train for Siliguri or a flight to
Bagdogra. Then take a bus or share jeep to reach Ghoom. From
there book a car to Lepchajagat which is only 8 km journey
through a lovely road way. Also take running jeep going to
Mirik. And of course you can hire a car from Siliguri and
reach Lepchajagat straight away. |
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