Cool climate, majestic mountain views, unique floral and faunal diversity, fine heritage buildings, lush green tea gardens and landscape earned Darjeeling the name of ‘the Queen of the hills’.
There are many heritage buildings in Darjeeling which tell us the story of development of this hill station. Darjeeling Club is one such building which has contributed a great deal to the evolution and development of this town. The Darjeeling Club popularly known as the Planters Club was established in 1868 by the British tea planters. Tea plantations in Darjeeling came into existence around the middle of the 19th century and the need for a Club was felt by the tea planters. The land for the Club building was donated by the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and he was the only one whose rickshaw (There were no cars those days) was permitted to be parked in the main porch of the Club. No other Club member had this privilege those days the planters used to come riding into town and then change into formals before ordering a cup of tea or the first drink of the evening. The club was basically meant for relaxation & entertainment after the days hard work. Well dressed and smart bearers would serve them and the discussions centred around the latest crop position or the rude letters received from the head offices. Later in the evening British voices would get louder and words a little slurred before the planters called it a day.
The Club has been constructed in a very exclusive part of Darjeeling town and well blended architecturally with the local ambience. It retains its past glory. One can see the snow capped peaks clearly, despite the boom in building all-around. Once you arrive in the Club, you don’t need a vehicle. All shopping areas and restaurants are within walking distance. This is yet another feature of the Club.
The club provides residential accommodation to its members, so that they can conduct their business while in town. The Club has 20 well furnished suites. All the suites have attached baths, Cable T.V., running hot & cold water & telephone. The Club has two lounges for formal & informal parties.
Inside the club, the ambience is very cosy, comfortable and peaceful. There is a Billiards room which is a favourite of the members and guests. The Billiards room has priceless photographs of the third Mt. Everest Expedition in 1924, in which the mountaineers Mallory and Irvin lost their lives. Incidently, the expedition started out from this club in 1924.The oxygen cylinders used by Mallory and Irvin have been preserved by the club and are displayed at the club entrance. There is a table tennis room also which is very popular with the children of the planters and guests.
A conference hall has been recently added where exhibitions, cultural and social functions are held. It can accommodate 100 people and it is an ideal location to hold business meetings and seminars. Corporate houses and NGOs are taking great interest in holding seminars and workshops in the conference hall of the club.
There is a cosy bar room with comfortable sofa and bar stools. It is a pleasure to relax in a comfortable armchair next to the fire and browse through a Book – perhaps with a glass of wine to add to the warmth.
There is a well stocked Library with priceless collection of books on history, Travel, Fiction, Tea, Military campaigns – etc. Some of these dating back to the nineteen century. These have been supplemented over the years with the latest of modern writers.
A conference hall has been recently added where exhibitions, cultural and social functions are held. It can accommodate 100 people and it is an ideal location to hold business meetings and seminars. Corporate houses and NGOs are taking great interest in holding seminars and workshops in the conference hall of the club.
There is a cosy bar room with comfortable sofa and bar stools. It is a pleasure to relax in a comfortable armchair next to the fire and browse through a Book – perhaps with a glass of wine to add to the warmth.
There is a well stocked Library with priceless collection of books on history, Travel, Fiction, Tea, Military campaigns – etc. Some of these dating back to the nineteen century. These have been supplemented over the years with the latest of modern writers.
“Darjeeling club is totally committed to hospitality and provides cosy and comfortable suites with modern amenities” says Mr. P.C. Tamang, former President of the Club next time you are around in town, do visit the club and rediscover the rich heritage of the queen of hills to immortalize its legacy.
sorce: http://darjeelinggymkhanaclub.com/