The place Tiger hill,Darjeeling can be visited,throughout the day,not only to witness the Sun rise in the morning,but,also to capture the colour change on the Kanchanjungha throughout a day(especially on a clear and Sunny day) from such an excellent location.A place that is located at the top point of Ghoom,popular for the highest railway station under the century old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway,the World heritage site.Situated at an altitude of 8550 ft. and is perfect place for viewing Sun rise,with no obstruction in front.A place to witness a nature made movie resuming with the first ray of Sunlight from the East and as it fall on the peak of the Kachanjungha the picture begins.
It is mesmerizing experience to witness a Sunrise from the Tiger hill,Darjeeling.In a clear and sunny morning,the picture of a Sunrise is complete,when it is experienced with the simultaneous illuminations,on the peaks of the Kanchanjungha, caused by the Sun rays.The snow clad peaks of the Kanchanjungha then appear from nowhere in the darkness and immediately with the Sun rise, different colours of the Sun rays start playing in the sky. As the Sun ascends more, colour of the mountain peaks gradually get changed from light pink to dazzling yellowish-orange.The process of changing colour on the peaks of the Kanchanjungha continues throughout the day.Thus leaving an indelible impression of the Sun rise in minds.
The beauty that is observed,in a clear morning,the experience of watching the Sun-rise from the Tiger
Hill,Darjeeling is like something that can only be felt within, rather very difficult to express in words.The Sun rise can be viewed at many tourist destinations, famous for the Sun rise spot,but, colours that play before the eyes in the sky at the Tiger Hill,right from the beginning of the Sun rise, with the simultaneous colour change on the snow clad peak of the Kanchanjungha (the third highest mountain peak in the world) is definitely a rare of rares.The Mt.Everest, the highest mountain peak on earth,standing at a distance in straight line horizontally, about 107-miles from the Tiger Hill,can also be seen,in a clear morning.
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| Darjeeling Railway Station |
It was too cold and still dark.We had to get up
at 3.00 am and leave our hotel for the Tiger Hill (Darjeeling) by 3.30 am.When our jeep started for the Tiger
Hill,it was still night and we wrapped ourselves with the blankets on our heavy
duty jackets,to fight the chilling cold.I saw many other cars were also heading
towards the Tiger Hill.It was about 12-Kms. uphill drive from the Darjeeling town.
In earlier days the Land-rover jeeps or locally called Zonga were used, to carry passengers to the Tiger Hill,where, most of the back seat windows were absent and intense cold wind from all directions used to get penetrated into the bone.Present road to the Tiger hill was new and better, with the introduction of modern SUVs to carry tourists did make the journey more comfortable.When we reached the Tiger hill,the entrance of the main view point was flooded with tourists,busy in buying the entry tickets.Bought our entry ticket to the observation point,with the parking ticket for our vehicle.The approach road was full of jeeps and cars of the tourists parked in long queue.
In earlier days the Land-rover jeeps or locally called Zonga were used, to carry passengers to the Tiger Hill,where, most of the back seat windows were absent and intense cold wind from all directions used to get penetrated into the bone.Present road to the Tiger hill was new and better, with the introduction of modern SUVs to carry tourists did make the journey more comfortable.When we reached the Tiger hill,the entrance of the main view point was flooded with tourists,busy in buying the entry tickets.Bought our entry ticket to the observation point,with the parking ticket for our vehicle.The approach road was full of jeeps and cars of the tourists parked in long queue.
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| View of Kanchenjunga at Sunrise from Tiger Hill |
It was very difficult to find out the exact place in the dark for viewing the Sun rise perfectly.The place was so crowded with tourists and it was most important to reach the right place in right time,from where the full view of the rising Sun with simultaneous colour change on the Kanchenjunga would be available in a single frame.
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| The Sunrise from Tiger Hill |
We were waiting eagerly for the Sunrise.The place was filled with peoples of vast diversity and Tiger Hill,Darjeeling united all of us in a same place,may be for a short time but,it was also a rare experience.
Finally the moment started,it was like a movie, the darkness was slowly getting disappeared,as somebody was taking off a curtain before our eyes. The peaks of Kanchenjunga then appeared like a faint sketch on the canvas of blue sky.As the first ray of Sunlight fall on the peaks of the ice clad Kanchenjunga,it appeared like a father,caressing with his gentle hands of warmth and affection on his sleeping child.
As the Sun started ascending,it simultaneously coloured the peaks of the Kanchenjunga from silver to light pink.The process of colour change went on,starting from the top and slowly spreading down the body of the mountain peak and with time when the Sun did ascend more,the colour got changed to yellowish orange, like huge amount of molten Gold was spreading on the body of the Kanchenjunga Snowy peaks of the Kanchenjunga was glowing with dazzling colours. It was impossible to take our eyes off.
It was like watching a live painting of God. Every morning on the canvas of blue sky it starts with the first beam of Sun rays and he colours the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga in his own style.
Finally the moment started,it was like a movie, the darkness was slowly getting disappeared,as somebody was taking off a curtain before our eyes. The peaks of Kanchenjunga then appeared like a faint sketch on the canvas of blue sky.As the first ray of Sunlight fall on the peaks of the ice clad Kanchenjunga,it appeared like a father,caressing with his gentle hands of warmth and affection on his sleeping child.
As the Sun started ascending,it simultaneously coloured the peaks of the Kanchenjunga from silver to light pink.The process of colour change went on,starting from the top and slowly spreading down the body of the mountain peak and with time when the Sun did ascend more,the colour got changed to yellowish orange, like huge amount of molten Gold was spreading on the body of the Kanchenjunga Snowy peaks of the Kanchenjunga was glowing with dazzling colours. It was impossible to take our eyes off.
It was like watching a live painting of God. Every morning on the canvas of blue sky it starts with the first beam of Sun rays and he colours the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga in his own style.
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| Kanchenjunga after the Sun-rise,from Tiger Hill |
At the time of Sunrise,it was very difficult to decide where to capture the memories of Sunrise - In mind or in camera.But,in both the cases the memories of Sunrise are still bright.
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| view of Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill |
How to reach:Darjeeling can be reached from Siliguri by Road.Nearest Airport: Bagdogra,Bus-stand: Tenzing Norge Central Bus Terminus,Siliguri and nearest Railway-station: New Jalpaiguri,from where a hired car can be availed to reach Darjeeling.The distance from Siliguri to Darjeeling is 74-Kms. and well connected by road.Arrangements of hired vehicles from hotels (pick and drop) to the Tiger hill are usually made by the Hotel authorities of Darjeeling.Vehicles to the Tiger hill are available in share basis or can be reserved and the website of the tour operators can also be visited for more options. Best time to visit is October to January and February to June,and the rest i.e.experiencing Sun-rise,remains on luck.
Important Tips:Do not haste if breathing trouble is felt,while walking up to reach the main view point.Take rest and walk slowly.Depending on the weather and season warm clothes should be carried accordingly before leaving for viewing an excellent and a safe Sun rise.If possible carry some hot fluid.
