Page 301 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

WEST BENGAL & SIKKIM  299

deciduous forests and dense their calves, which gambol
scrubland, with the Torsa river along closely beside them. The Festivals of West
flowing through it. This is sanctuary ‘s many waterholes, Bengal & Sikkim
one of the few places in India where animals come to drink in
where the great Indian one- the evenings, are excellent spots
horned rhinoceros (see p334) for wildlife sightings.
can be easily spotted. About The elegant, colonial-style
50 of these magnificent animals Hollong Forest Lodge within
live in the sanctuary, protected the sanctuary offers food
from poachers, who hunt them and accommodation.
for their horns, which are believed
to be powerful aphrodisiacs.
The sanctuary is also home to e Kurseong
various other rare and Darjeeling district. 50 km (31 miles)
endangered species, including NW of Siliguri. £ @
the leopard, tiger, hispid hare,
hogbadger, and sloth bear. Halfway between Siliguri and
Large numbers of hog deer, Darjeeling, on the Darjeeling
spotted deer, barking deer and Himalayan Railway line,
gaur (Indian bison) can also be seclu ded Kurseong has a A priest conducting prayer services
seen at Jaldapara. Bird species quiet charm. It is smaller at a Saraswati Puja pandal
include the lesser pied hornbill, than Darjeeling, with a milder
and the Bengal florican with its climate because of its lower Ganga Sagar Mela (mid-
mottled and streaked plumage. altitude. Set amid tea gardens, Jan), Sagar Island. Thousands
In addition, there are eight with lush vegetation and a of pilgrims assemble for a
species of freshwater turtles picturesque lake, Kurseong is fair, and a dip at dawn at the
in Jaldapara’s ponds. known for its natural point where the Ganges
The northern part of the beauty. According enters the sea.
sanctuary, known as Totopara, to local legend, Saraswati Puja (Jan/Feb).
is located along the banks the place gets Saraswati is the Goddess of
of the Torsa river. its name from Learning, and her image is
It is home to the kurson-rip, a always dressed in pale yellow.
Toto tribe, now beautiful wild School and college girls
only 1,300 strong, orchid found dress in yellow too, and place
whose members Jungle fowl, found in large in the area. their books at the feet of the
have consistently numbers at Jaldapara Kurseong is a goddess during this festival,
refused to modern- walkers’ paradise. celebrated all over Bengal.
day comforts. The trek from Mirik to Kurseong International Flower
A delightful way to explore (see p307), which takes about Festival (Apr/May), Gangtok.
the Jaldapara Sanctuary is to eight hours, runs through tea Held at the height of the
take an early morning elephant estates, orange orchards, flowering season, this festival
safari through the park. The cardamom plantations and showcases Sikkim’s rare
elephants belong to the forest small villages, and provides orchids, rhododendrons
and other beautiful flowers.
department and spend their spectacular views of the valley.
entire lives within the confines Similarly, the five-hour walk to Saga Dawa (May), Gangtok.
of the sanctuary. Quite often, Ghoom is also beautiful, winding Sacred scriptures are carried
the elephants taking visitors along a ridge that runs through from monasteries through the
streets by stately processions
on safaris are accompanied by a thick, but well-shaded, forest. of lamas during this festival,
which celebrates the Buddha’s
birth, his enlightenment and
his attainment of nirvana.
Durga Puja (Sep/Oct)
(see p285).
Burra Din (25 Dec),
Kolkata. Otherwise known
as Christmas, Burra Din is
celebrated by Christians and
non-Christians alike. Kolkata’s
main shopping streets are lit
up, and little plastic pine trees,
deco rations and thickly iced
fruit cakes are on sale at every
local market.
Gaur (Indian bison) roaming the scrubland at Jaldapara

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