Observatory Hill is located at the Mall road that originates and culminates at the Chowrasta. The Mall on top of the hill is the Observatory Hill. This hill is attached to strong religious faith and great importance both for the Hindus and the Buddhists.
The sacred Mahakal temple stands on this hill and Mahakal is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. This is a place for worship of all faiths and one can witness prayers being chanted by Hindu priests as well as Buddhist monks. Beside the temple is a white Tibetan chorten (or stupa) that contains the possessions of Dorje Lama who was the caretaker of the temple in the late 1800s. The temple complex also features shrines of many Hindu Gods like Durga, Hanuman, Ganesha, Kali, Saraswati and Shiva.
The Bhutia Busty Gomba was originally situated in this hill, but later relocated to the present location. Thus the hill serves as a witness to the accord between the Hindus and the Buddhists. Observatory Hill is well worth walking uphill to experience the stunning views from the summit. On a clear day, one can see the hills of Sikkim and the Himalayan mountain range with Mt. Kanchenjunga towering above others.
The Windamere Hotel is on the way to the Observatory Hill and is a classic example of the British colonial era architecture that dates back to the mid-19th century when the place was used to serve as a boarding house for English and Scottish tea planters. In 1939, it was converted into a hotel. Almost all the visitors visit and have tea there soaking up the magnificent views and the culturally rich ambience. The complete area of Observatory Hill offers the utmost natural splendour of Darjeeling and is close to many other tourist spots of the place. Observatory Hill can be reached by few minutes of walk from the Darjeeling Mall Road.
Observatory Hill is located at the Mall road that originates and culminates at the Chowrasta. The Mall on top of the hill is the Observatory Hill. This hill is attached to strong religious faith and great importance both for the Hindus and the Buddhists.
The sacred Mahakal temple stands on this hill and Mahakal is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. This is a place for worship of all faiths and one can witness prayers being chanted by Hindu priests as well as Buddhist monks. Beside the temple is a white Tibetan chorten (or stupa) that contains the possessions of Dorje Lama who was the caretaker of the temple in the late 1800s. The temple complex also features shrines of many Hindu Gods like Durga, Hanuman, Ganesh, Kali, Saraswati and Shiva.
The Bhutia Busty Gomba was originally situated in this hill, but later relocated to the present location. Thus the hill serves as a witness to the accord between the Hindus and the Buddhists. Observatory Hill is well worth walking uphill to experience the stunning views from the summit. On a clear day, one can see the hills of Sikkim and the Himalayan mountain range with Mt. Kanchenjunga towering above others.
The Windamere Hotel is on the way to the Observatory Hill and is a classic example of the British colonial era architecture that dates back to the mid-19th century when the place was used to serve as a boarding house for English and Scottish tea planters. In 1939, it was converted into a hotel. Almost all the visitors visit and have tea there soaking up the magnificent views and the culturally rich ambience. The complete area of Observatory Hill offers the utmost natural splendour of Darjeeling and is close to many other tourist spots of the place. Observatory Hill can be reached by few minutes of walk from the Darjeeling Mall Road.
