The Loop with a Beauty – Batasia Loop Darjeeling

Batasia is a popular destination when someone visits Darjeeling. ‘Batasia’ means ‘airy or open space’. One cannot stop to get down at this place and visit it for many reasons. It amazes people from its loop to the clear view of Mountain Kanchenjunga range, from the war memorial to witness the Toy Train all at a time. People love to visit Batasia Loop Darjeeling and spend a nice time here.

This loop was built in the year 1919 as a requirement for the engineering to lower the gradient of ascent of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. This is a spiral track that goes around itself through a tunnel over a hilltop. A large circular area was required to be built so that the slope could be made smooth and gentle as it was tuft for the toy train to pass the narrow gauge which could navigate the drastic fall of the 100 feet to the gradient of the slope. This was necessary as after the railway station of Ghoom, the toy train has to move on a sharp fall towards Darjeeling.

Location

Batasia is located just below the Ghoom railway station. It is on the Hill Cart Road at an altitude of 7000 meters from the sea level. It is around 4.3 kms away from the main Darjeeling Railway Station. The local taxi will take around 8-9 minutes to reach here from the Darjeeling main market.

How to reach Batasia loop Darjeeling

By Flight: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. Visitors can take a drive of around 70 kms from Bagdogra. The airport is well connected to major cities such as Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Darjeeling Himalayan and NJP. Tourists can either hire a cab if want to reach here early. Travelling via train from NJP to Darjeeling is a slow tour of 5-6 hours. Hence, if they want to enjoy the scenic beauty along their way then certainly, train tour can be a great idea as well. There is direct train in between the Darjeeling Railway Station and Ghoom Station.

By Road: It is a 59 kms drive from Siliguri. One can hire the shared taxi or rent a cab from Darjeeling More or Junction. Buses are also available from Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand in Siliguri.

Visiting hours and ticket price

The entry fees is Rs. 15/-

It remains open on all days from 6AM to 5 PM.

When to visit

Batasia can be visited at any time of the year. However, monsoons during June-July can be avoided due the heavy consistent rainfall that may spoil the trip. Spring and Autumn has many blooming flowers making the place charming with varied colors all around. This place is must ideally be visited just after witnessing dawn from Tiger Hill.

ATTRACTIONS OF BATASIA LOOP DARJEELING

War Memorial – This war memorial is the main attraction of the Batasia. This memorial is dedicated to the Gorkha martyrs of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives after Indian Independence in 1947. This was constructed by in 1995 by the District Sainik Board, Darjeeling to commemorate the brave Gorkha soldiers who laid down their lives for the sake of nation’s sovereignty. There is Cenotaph and a statue of a soldier offering tribute at a raisedpodium.

Mesmeric View of Mount Kanchenjunga – Tourists flock in Batasia to get the mesmerizing view of the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga Range from here. The view of the train on the foreground with the view of green valleys and snowcapped peaks at the background immediately grasps the attention of the nature lovers. Photographers visit here at premier time to capture their best shot that depicts the true identity of Darjeeling with the soldier, Toy train and Mount Kanchenjunga in one frame.

Toy train – The beauty of Batasia is enhanced with the arrival of Toy Train. It is a halting point before reaching the Ghoom Station from Darjeeling Railway Station. The passengers get down and enjoy the view and visit the Gorkha War Memorial that displays the selfless service of the Gorkhas in the British Raj. The visitors of the park immediately rush to click pictures with this classic toy train of Darjeeling as soon as it arrives here. Toy train has always been the favourite of the Bollywood actors since history. Any movie that has its few shots in Darjeeling is sure to have a shot with this heritage.

Loop – The spiral loop with the railway track all around the hilltop is an admiration for all who visits here. As the vehicle leaps into the loopy track, one can get the glimpse of Darjeeling town that instantly grips the tourists’ attention.

Greenery – The tall trees of Rhododendrons, silver firs and beautiful hedges covers the park. The track is at a proper distance from the concrete path borderline with the hedges. The range of perennial and seasonal flowers augments the splendor of the garden during spring and autumn. The lush green slope is an admiration to all those who pay a visit here. One can find the beautiful rare species of plants like Gingko biloba which is mostly everybody’s favourite to click picture.

Rest houses – Plentiful of rest sheds are present here. One can take rest while exploring the place and clicking the photographs capturing moments of quality time spent with the loved ones.

Souvenir Shop – The souvenir shops present just outside the entrance gate has lots of woolen items that one can take home. The items include colorful sweaters, caps, shawls, socks, bags, cups, flasks and many other items. There are many curios at makeshift stalls along the railway line.

Cafeterias – Cafeterias of all types are available just on the opposite road of the loop. Mostly it remains packed with people as they come here as a break journey before reaching the main town. Those visiting here after Tiger Hill also tend to have a breakfast at this point. There are enough washrooms in every restaurant. There are veg and non-veg restaurants with a wide range of varieties of delicacies that visitors can relish here. It includes North and South Indian along with Chinese dishes.

Nearby Home Stays – Those who want to stay in Darjeeling at a distance from the hustle and bustle of the main city opts to stay near Batasia. Many homestays can be easily found around this place. One of the prime reasons for the homestays to flourish here is the enjoyment that one can get with the clear view of mighty Kanchenjunga range from their rooms. Encircled by the misty mountains every homestay is promising in nature to provide a comfy stay to its patrons.

Time to Explore

A good time of 1-2 hours is sufficient for one to enjoy in this place. It is a highland with flat surface. Surrounded by trees and railway track people find this place very interesting to explore and spend good time.

Planned Activities

Joy Ride – The Joy Ride consists of an amazing experience of riding the heritage Toy Train from Darjeeling Railway Station to Ghoom. People come from far off places particularly to enjoy this trip. Though short, but it has it history behind it since the British era in India. Everyone visiting Darjeeling once would surely want to boast about having the joy ride in the historical steam toy train of Darjeeling. The train operates on hourly basis every day. The timely chug-chug of the toy train fills the atmosphere with serenity. Each train stops at Batasia for at least 10-15 minutes so that the passengers can take a tour of the place and enjoy the fun filled activities.

Photography in traditional attire – Tourists enjoy wearing the traditional attire and click photographs on various locations of this place. The dresses are available for all age groups and the matching accessories and props excite the visitors to wear it and adoresnapping pictures.

Cleanliness and Maintenance

The garden is preservedwell by theauthorities.As it is a busy place for the visitors there are dustbins kept sufficiently atappropriate distance so that the visitors do not clutter the park. The deputies keep observing the park so that they are readily accessible to provideevery sort of guidance to the visitors, in need. Littering and walking the pets are not allowed within its premises. There are pay and use toilets inside at one end.

The Loop with Embedded Beauty