Chowrasta, The Heart of Darjeeling- Best Things To Do Here

Darjeeling Mall or Chowrasta is the centre of attraction in Darjeeling. If you take the real flavor of Darjeeling, this is the mall or Chowrasta, the heart of Darjeeling. This is a plain open space on a hill. Tourists and locals come here to view the natural beauty as well as feel the warmth of the sun. People come here to sit on a bench and spend quality time with relatives. There are plenty of old reputed shops on one side and long pine trees and open panoramic on the other

The History Behind The Name Chowrasta

Here “Chow” means four and “Raasta” means road. This means Darjeeling Mall is the place where four roads meet. We will discuss the four roads in detail…

• Nehru Road

All major shops lined up on this road including food, clothing, gift items, etc. This is a busy road.

• Dr. Jakir Hossain Road

It comes to the Mall through a busy market

• Mall Road(East)

It moves towards the Governor’s house by the east side of Observatory Hill. There are some places from where Kanchenjungha Can be seen.

• Mall Road(west)

It also goes towards the Governor’s house by the west side of Observatory Hill. Both East and West Mall Road meet at the Governor’s House.

How To Reach

The Mall or Chowrasta can be reached by different roads. Most tourists come here by Nehru Road. It takes 5-7 min to reach from Keventer’s to Mall. You have to walk here as no car is allowed to pass the Mall only two-wheelers can be taken by stopping engines.

Opening Time

Chowrasta Mall is open to all For 24 hours but be cautious after 9 pm.

Moving Around Chowrasta, The Heart of Darjeeling

If you go towards the Mall through Nehru Road, generated from Gandhi Road, you reach a Fountain first. There are statues of fish and pelicans in it. This place is very crowded in the evening. Sometimes can’t find a seat to sit.

In front of it is Bellevue Hotel and Ara Restaurant cum bar. If heads towards Dr. Jakir Hossein Road there is a crowded market. Here you will get all types of grocery items as well as local foods and normal lunch or dinner. Also, there are shops for gift and woolen items and souvenirs.

There is a Police booth In front of Dr Jakir Hossein Road. They will assist in your need.

Local with their ponies moving around the mall. You can have horse riding here. A full round horse ride will cost Rs.300/- 400/-.Though prices vary from time to time and the distance you want to cover

Sometimes people as well as ponies make this Mall very dirty. Empty Chips and chocolate packets are found everywhere. Though there are many dustbins people are unconscious. Street dogs and pigeons come here for food grains offered by people.

Before the Police booth, there is a tea lounge named Golden Tips Teattoria with sitting arrangements.

On the left of this tea shop, there are several benches to sit on. You can sit here and enjoy tea and snacks

More left It is Hawa Ghar a Stage for cultural programs. People stand or sit in front of it and see programs. This stage is also used in times of election for political parties

Then there are benches again and then Mall Road East goes towards the Governor’s house. This road makes a complete circle and comes to the mall by Mall Road (west). In Between there is an observatory hill.

In the Middle, there is a statue of the Nepali poet Bhanubhakta. The color of the statue is golden. Previously there was a park behind the statue but now a concrete open stage has been made by the current government. You will find programs by local people.

On the left of of Mall, a lot of popular shops can be found. There is a Tibet art shop where lots of art items can be found.

Next again tea lounge Nathmulls Tea Store. this is an old tea shop where you can buy Darjeeling tea for relatives as well as for your own.

Again there is a Golden Tips – Tea Bar on the left of Nathmulls where tea and coffee snacks are served. You can buy tea also on different budgets.

Next to Golden Tips is Oxford Book And Stationary which is also an old shop. Then there is Habeeb Mallick and Sons, an art shop with rare collections of art objects

After that, there is a wine shop Chowrasta Store, and restaurant Fiesta for dining.

Foods and Beverages

There are popular shops as stated earlier as Ara Restaurant, Golden Tops Teattoria, Nathmulls Tea Store and Lounge, Golden Tips Tea Bar, Fiesta, and Chowrasta Srote. There are plenty of street food shops here and there and tea stalls.

Festivals

Cultural programs are done on the Hawa Ghar stage. Dance and music are performed here also the open stage made back of the Bhanubhakta statue. Local music bands performed in the evening.

Shopping

The Mall offers a great opportunity for shopping. But if someone comes here to shop for the low cost he is not in the right place. Products are more expensive than Siliguri or Kolkata. Only small souvenirs can be bought. Woolen sweaters and items are relatively the same price though you have to bargain. So unnecessary shopping is not recommended here.

Panoramic Views

The all-around view can be seen from Observatory Hill as well as any part of Mall Road after sitting or standing beside the fence.

Conclusion

If you spend time in Chowrasta Mall you can feel the pulse of Darjeeling. It is a place where all types of cultures meet. This is not only a plain square. it is the heart of Darjeeling.

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