THE LOVELIEST POETIC ZONES – UNDERRATED PARKS OF DARJEELING
SHRUBBERY NIGHTINGALE PARK
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| Mt .Kanchenjunga as seen from the park |
As the name beholds its meaning, this park is dedicated to a number of shrubs altogether. It is the loveliest park in Darjeeling with greenery all around and mesmeric viewpoints. The present land was the personal courtyard of Sir Thomas Tarton who bought it from Mr. Martin Harper, a British Contractor. Later on, it was bought by the then Maharaja of Cooch Behar in the year 1877 and named it ‘SHRUBBERY’ which was again handed over to Raj Bhawan.
Location
This park is situated at an altitude of 2107 meters at
a distance of around 10-15 minutes straight from the Mall Road in the
JawaharParvat Road just behind the Raj Bhavan (Governor’s House). Situated at
an elevation of this is a wide area filled with nature all around. It is in the
middle of zoo and the famous Mall Road. We can reach here on foot by Mall Road.From
the Darjeeling Railway Station this park is located around 2.2 kms. This place where
the park is located is particularly called as Richmond Hill, Darjeeling.
Ideal Time to Visit
Each season is favourable to visit this park. One can visit
whenever it wants as it is an awesome place for relaxation. However, monsoon
can be avoided due to the heavy downpour all the time.
Ways of reaching here
An easy and convenient way of reaching this park can
be in a cab. Another way of reaching here would be a good stroll of 18 minutes
from the Darjeeling Bus Stand or around 45 minutes from Darjeeling Railway
Station. We can also reach the Park while taking a lovely stroll from Chowrasta
Mall Road on the way towards the Zoo. A steepy walk from the Zoo offers a good
natural trek of around 20-25 minutes. It is very easy to locate due to the
large signs on the walls as wells as signboards that will lead us to reach
there. The pleasant weather of Darjeeling makes the visitors primarily prefer
to take a nice stroll from the Mall Road to reach to this park though as they
can enjoy the scenic view of mountains, pass by the tourists spots like Bhanu
Bhavan, St. Andrew’s Church on the way.
Entry Time and Ticket Rate
This beautiful park remains open from 9 AM to 7 PM.
The ticket rate is Rupees Twenty (Rs. 20) per head.
Attraction of Shrubbery Park
Pretty Rest Sheds – The comfortable rest sheds are the most charming thing about this
park. It is completely set with a number of wooden benches with tiny roofs and
round shaped open shed with round shaped roof. A nice path with lamp post at
regular distance gives the park a stunning look of serenity.
Shiv Temple–On
the hill top there is a Shiva temple. There is a mighty white statue of Lord
Shiva on the roof of this temple. The water from the matted hair of Lord
Shiva’s statue flows down to the artificial lake. The temple’s entrance has the
statue of Maa Saraswati in the left and Lord Ganesha in the right. There is a
Shiva Linga inside the temple. The fascinating point of this temple is a conch
shaped rock that became the main reason behind its establishment. According to
the tales, it is said that a fisherman got this rock while fishing and got the
revelation from his Guru that it should be placed on this hilltop and a Shiva
temple must be erected. That’s how this temple came into being. Since then it
has become a part of this Shrubbery Park. The entire park can also be watched
from this top.
Just below the temple there stands a huge rock which has
now become a worship place for the customary Jhakris and Matas, who offer their
prayers during special occasions. People offer metals such as copper vessels,
tridents etc. in respect of the local deity in this place.
Well-trimmed bushes– Just as the name, this park is full of shrubs that are well maintained
by the authorities.One can find varieties of shrubs all around here. The garden
vases painted in white add beauty to the lush green park. Hedges are properly
trimmed that positioned between the rest sheds. The central open area for
organizing cultural programme is neatly surrounded by the well-trimmed bushes
all around whichis always kept in a good shape.
Flower Nursery – There is a flower nursery just beside the VIP lounge in the park. This nursery is filled with varieties of flowers and succulents. If we happen to visit here during the spring time then we are sure to be pleased with colorful flower collection. It is fully under closed circuit cameras so that the tourists do not engage themselves in plucking them and destroy the beauty of the plants. We may find the exotic collection of geraniums, Gladys’s, orchids, daisies etc.
Viewpoint – Shrubbery Park is a favourite place for the nature lovers as they get to watch the most beautiful scenery from this particular spot. During the clear weather, the landscape view of valleys, mountain ridges and the majestic white Mt. Kanchenjunga range makes the view breathtaking.
Cultural Programme – During the peak season or special festivities cultural programme is
organised at 4 PM in the centre of the park. The visitors can enjoy the various
cultures of Gorkhas and their musical art. There is a bullet proof VIP lounge
for the VIPs to witness these programme during their visit at ninety degree
angle of this dais.
Prime Visitors
The open space border lined with pine and other
Himalayan tall trees along with well-maintained shrubs provides a natural
ambience for strolling around with grace and solitude. Hence, Shrubbery Park is typicallyoccupied
with duos for romantic dates, families with kids particularly for weekend fun,
photographers for capturing the landscapes of the amazing combination of
greenery with the white snow peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga, mountain voyagers and
many more.
Cafeteria – As soon as we enter the park, we will find a cafeteria on its left. It is a spacious neat cafeteria that can accommodate a good number of 30-40 visitors at a time. Sufficient chairs and tables are provided. The menu list includes all types of food ranging from snacks to main meals. It is well equipped with cold and hot beverages. One can easily get an access of ordering the meal, take a tour and then come here to dine again. The visitors wouldn’t have to worry about food if they spend quite a long time in this park. The prices of every meal is reasonable and at par with what we get in the market. The cafeteria also showcases few items that can be bought as souvenirs such as, woolen hats, cups, photo frames etc.
Planned Activities
Rejuvenation – Being an ideal place for rejuvenation
this park is a treat for those who want to escape from their daily hectic
schedule and want solitary moment to be spent with nature. Children are the happiest
ones to come here as the swanky green lawns provide them a splendid open space
to play and make merry.
Happy hours –This couple friendly park provides a happy zone for the romantic duos. The genuine decorum of the park provides a dignified place for the couples to stroll around and spend quality time with each other.
Photography – It is a hub of photographers
particularly during the sunny weather and snowfall. This park gives them ample
space for exploring their angles and play with the natural light. Be it the
morning or evening time, every phase has a lot to offer.
Exploring Duration
A total time of one hour to one and half hour is more
than enough to explore this park. Couples can spend a real long quality time in
this park by having quixotic talks and developing futuristic goals. Children
love to hop around this open space, hence, the families, too spend hours of
their choice if there are no certain touring sites to visit.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
The authorities have maintained this park very well.
The daily cleaners can be seen round the clock busy in their chores. Washrooms
are clean. The pathways all over the park are free from gravel or dried fallen
leaves. The staff of the park is always in proper uniform maintaining proper
discipline of the decent ambience. Wet and dry dustbins are placed in proper
distance so that the visitors do not litter the area. Horticulturists can be
seen at work maintaining the form of the hedges and shrubs all the time.
Interesting Facts of Shrubbery Nightingale Park
1.
The first electric
light was illuminated here from Sindrabong Hydro Electric Power Station on 10th
November, 1897.
2.
Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru, our first Prime Minister, addressed a historic public gathering at this
park in the year 1952.
3.
This park was the
favourite place for shooting Bollywood movies during 1950s and 1960s.
BOTANICAL GARDEN (Lloyd Botanical Garden)
This is another prime park where tourists love to visit. It is named after Sir William Llyod who was a banker and wanted to establish a botanical garden in Darjeeling during the British Era. Hence, he gifted this 40 acres of land, which is around 160,000 square meters, in order to set up the garden of his dream. The actual development of this garden occurred under the aegis of Dr. T. Anderson later on. The park is a treasure house of many rare plants with patched of typical forest of mighty Cryptomeria, Bucklandia and Alnus with thickets of vines and shrubby brushwood.
Location
It is located just below the Eden Hospital at a
walking distance from the Darjeeling’s main market – Chowk Bazaar. The road
goes below the bus and taxi stand. It is bound by Cart Road in the north, Jail
Road and HariGhose Road on the south, Eden hospital in the east and Victoria
Road in the west.
Park Timings and Rate
The park remains open from 7 AM in the morning till 5
PM in the evening. The ticket fare is Rs. 20/-
Ideal time to visit
The park can be visited during anytime of the year.
The monsoon may be avoided as the sloppy area can be quite dangerous for those
who are new to the hilly region. The area is huge and that is the reason why
carrying or wearing comfortable shoes is highly advisable for the visitors.
Exploring Duration
It can take 2-3 hours to explore the entire area in
the most leisurely manner. There are many rest sheds in the lower section where
one can take rest and then resume exploring the place.
Prime Visitors –
The families visit this park for recreation. It is also a hub for the
researchers and students of Botany. We can find a lot of couples visiting this
garden. The photographers, nature lovers and bird watchers are the prime
visitors to mention as they get the appropriateenvironment for mounting their
skills and work.
Attraction
Since inception the entire park has been divided into three sections as it is situated on the slopes of the hills. The upper section has a well shaded path downhill which is well bordered with strong wire fencing. The indigenous Himalayan trees alongside the path accompany us as we move towards the middle section. We can find the trees tagged with their scientific names everywhere.
The middle section has a great collection of ferns and
alpine trees. Few greenhouses can be located in this section made of glass. It
has exquisite collection of cacti and other variety of orchids brought from the
Singalila National Park.
The lower section is fully dedicated to the plants that have been imported from various countries. We can find the European hawthorn, birch, blackberry and chestnut with Asian trees such as plums and cherries. The exotic Magnolia Grandiflora and Jurriferus Bermudiana are brought from the U.S, Wattle and Silver oak from Australia and New Zealand and keeps on adding and regular intervals.
Conservatory of special plants – The garden is filled with variety of plants. The towering conifer trees stands historically to woo the visitors. The strikingsucculents in all shapes in the large conservatory gain a lot of attraction. The herbal shrubs and exquisite orchids are present all around the area. The most special tree is the WEEPING WILLOW which gives an impression of weeping from its drooping leaves. Another striking plant is the GINKO BILOBA, which is said to be prehistoric in its origin. It was imported from China. This plant is also known as the living fossil in some quarters.
Paradise to the Botany Researchers and Students–It serves as an eminent institution of distribution
of plants, seeds and specimens of temperate and sub-temperate Himalayas to
different parts of the world. It preserves several species of bamboo, oak,
magnolia, Arisaema, cotoneaster, geraniums, wild geraniums, rhododendrons and
other forest native plants of Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, Sikkim region
and other neighboring regions. The collection of rare and native orchids from
the Singalila range is notable that allows the students to observe and study
upon it. A separate section for medicinal plants is also available for the
researchers.
Romantic Getaway – People come here for recreation with family. Dry picnic can be a fun in this spot due to its natural surroundings.This Park is the first choice for the couples for dating and beholds the history of married people as their favourite meeting point.
Photography and Videography–Botanical Park off late has become a prime zone for
organizing professional photo shoots due to its mesmeric natural set up. The
various hues of sunlight through the dense forests give a picturesque touch to
the captures. Many music videos are can be witnessed shooting here as it
provides a pacifying natural background. Teenagers are often seen making reels
at every bend of the road within the park.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
The authorities always make sure that the park is well maintained. Cleaners are seen working in all the sections. Being a huge area of only trees and plants we will always find a forestry setting. The dustbins are well placed at a good distance. The conservatory is kept clean and under surveillance.
Conclusion
These parks are underrated with the advancement of
other commercial tourist spots. They still hold their beauty within. Once
visited we can feel the serenity of the place and only true lover of nature can
identify the value of these places and muse over its actual beauty. Spending
few hours in these places will give a calm essence of life and fills heart with
harmony.
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