Trailing tea trails, green meadows, boutiques and homestays in colonial British bungalows, and mist covered mountains. It seems like a surreal dream, but this is an actual place. Takdah is a hidden treasure, 28km from Darjeeling.
The silence in the town and along the forest paths is so dense, you will be able to hear the Buddhist chants from the monastery for miles. So, if you want to escape the crowds and din at other destinations, Takdah is your best bet.
The Dechhen Pema Tshoiling Monastery was built in 1985 and follows the Buddhist Nyingma sect. Also known as the Takdah monastery, it is so ideally located that you can watch the entire panorama of tea estates from its premises. You can spend hours in its halls, meditating and introspecting with no disturbance at all.
Image Credit: deysholidays
In Takdah, you can also learn the traditional methods of tea-making and work on the tea estates. Darjeeling is one of the most popular tea regions of the world, and Takdah lies in its vicinity. In summer, you can take a tour of the tea factory, and enjoy a nice warm cup after watching how the tea leaves were processed.
Takdah also houses the Orchid centre, where you will get to see exotic orchids in an array of marvellous colours and shapes. So, put your camera on macro mode, and click away the different Himalayan beauties here.
Image Credit: tripoto
Visit the local haat market at Dokan Dara. This weekly market is a place where you can watch the local brings their produce and engage in village life, that is far removed from the bustling markets of the city.
Image Credit: goibibo
Even a leisurely walk through the Takdah town is like tracing footsteps through history. The colonial bungalows stand beautifully, some in ruins, and some turned into boutiques and homestays. They carry an old world charm, which imbues the town with a magical air.
Takdah is an amazing spot for foodies, where you can try an amalgamation of Tibetan, Bengali and Chinese flavours.
So, if you don’t know where to go on your next travel escapade, then plan a trip to Takdah.
