subject: Kurseong,west Bengal [print this page] ts name, a corruption of the Nepali word Kharshang, means the Dawns Pole Star, a name that is fairly indicative of its charm. Come and experience the fairytale magic of this peaceful town. Chances are that you too will discover how time stands still in Kurseong.
Perhaps the prettiest page in the Kurseong fairytale is a ride on the famous Toy Train as it chuffs valiantly along its route from Darjeeling to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. The Toy Train was commissioned in 1881, a shiny blue and silver steam locomotive whose novelty has still not worn
off after 120 years! The Toy Train is miniature a tiny engine that heroically pulls 4-5 compartments on a narrow gauge rail. The train braves hills and valleys, weaving around waterfalls, rivers and forests on its 8 to 10-hour journey. Educational institutions abound in Kurseong. There are many good schools here and they cater mainly to the children of the tea planters of the region.
Historically Speaking
The chogyal or ruler of Sikkim gifted this little town to the British in 1835. Owing to its salubrious climate, in the 1880''s Kurseong was then turned into a sanatorium of sorts where the Britishers would send their sick people to recuperate before coming down into the plains again.
How to get there by Air
There is no airport here. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 60 km away. From Bagdogra you can hire a cab to cover the distance to Kurseong.
How to get there by Rail
New Jalpaiguri, 57 km, is the nearest railhead, though the town itself is a station on the Toy Train line between Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri. Buses and taxis are available between Kurseong and the neighbouring towns.
How to get there by Bus
The road that connects Kurseong to neighbouring towns is good. Buses ply the distance as well as cabs. It is also possible to share a jeep with others, if you are alone and do not want an exclusive jeep.
Best time to Visit
Any time is a good time to visit Kurseong; the temperature is moderate, rarely rising above 30 C in summer or falling below 6 C in winter. June, July and August are rainy months.
Accommodation is not very expensive in Kurseong. There are a number budget hotels run by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation and also by some private organizations. Some of the hotels are Kurseong Tourist Lodge, Hotel Hilltop, Cochrane Place among others.
Nearby Places
Mirik is 18 kms away and a very picturesque little town deserving of a visit. Set in valley atop a hill, deep forests of cedar and pine dot up the hill slopes while orange orchards blossom as far as the eye can see. Ghoom on the Toy Train track has an old Buddhist Monastery,
whose walls are covered by many colourful frescoes. Inside the monastery there is a massive image of Buddha and a large number of Tibetan Manuscripts. The famed Batista Loop (on Toy Train track) is very near Ghoom and is a frequented tourist spot. There is war memorial at the centre of the Loop. Darjeeling is 30 kms away and the penultimate hill station of this region. Tourists throng this town to escape the heat and dust of the plains and have been doing so since British times.
