Gopaldhara Tea Garden in Darjeeling | Pashupati Market | India-Nepal border | Darjeeling trip
As said in my previous blog, I was on my way to Mirik from Darjeeling on 10th March 2024. On the way to Mirik, our driver haulted in Lepchajagat for us to take the breathtaking view of Lepchajagat for a while. After that, we were taken to one of the beautiful tea gardens in Darjeeling, Gopaldhara tea garden, by our cab driver to experience the tea cultivation in Bengal.
As we reached the Gopaldhara tea garden, the place was wonderful with tea garden all around the road on both the sides on steep valleys. It was just a magnificient view all around. First we went to the shop of the tea garden owner which was just beside the tea garden. We were offered the tea that was being cultivated in his (owner of the Gopaldhara tea garden) tea garden, and believe me, the taste was just something different with an unique smell and unparalled taste. There were varieties of tea leaves with different prices of rupees starting from 400/-, 500/-, 800/-, 1000/-, etc. We took permission from the tea owner to go inside the tea garden and likewise we entered the tea garden.
As we entered the tea garden, there was a woman whose age was in between 55-60 years, who was selling the local dresses (colourful traditional hill dresses at tea garden of Darjeeling) that normally women wear while cultivating tea. My mother asked the woman, price of that dress, and she replied that, she didn't sell those dress, but instead provides rent for wearing those dresses (colourful traditional hill dresses at tea garden of Darjeeling) for Rs. 60/- per person to click photos inside the tea garden. Likewise my mother and my wife wore the traditional women hill dresses and clicked plenty of photos inside th tea garden.
The entire Gopaldhara tea garden was like a heaven, with the stunning view of the entire place with valleys ups and downs, and wherever you look around, you will see only tea gardens. However beware of stepping your foots very carefully on the tea garden, as, there are deep trenches, and, also, fear of snake is also there.
So, after spending sometime in tea garden, we were taken to India-Nepal border by our cab driver. I was just wandering, like, it was an international trip for me, as I was just standing on the border of India and Nepal. Just as we see in television and learn from our books and seniors, that, Nepal is a very friend of India, similarly, was the condition on the India-Nepal border that I saw. The border area was very peaceful and common people are forbidden to click any photos on the border. We, the Indians, were asked to show our identity like Adhar card or passport, and then after verification, we were allowed to enter into the land of Nepal. We entered into the land of Nepal, and the most important thing I noticed that, there were hardly any differences between the people of Nepal and India. Just inside the land of Nepal, beside the border, there were cabs that would take you to Pashupati market of Nepal and you have to come back from the market after spending sometime. The price for a round trip from Nepal border to Pashupai market and back, would cost to approximately Rs. 250/- to 300/-.
It would hardly take 5 minutes to reach the Pashupati market from the Nepal border. As we reached Pashupati market, I was just trying to find differences between the lifestyle of the people of Nepal and Indians, but, hardly found any differences. You will find many shops selling garments, vegetables, umbrellas, toys, hand-crafted items like bags, caps, old heritage coins of Nepal, and many more. The price of umbrellas would cost you a price ranging from Rs. 100 to 150/- of different sizes. I bought ten different Nepal coins for rupees 100/-, and, a bag from Pashupati market. The weather was a bit cooler than what we faced outside the Nepal border. The price of bags, and garments were a little costlier than what we actually see in India. However, one thing I can say that, the people of Nepal are more or less similar to Indians and very good in behaviour and culture. At one point of time inside the Pashupati market, I thought of going further inside Nepal beyond Pashupati market, but, I didn't, as, I didn't know any roads, or places to visit inside Nepal.
Finally, we came back from Pashupati market and I saluted our brave Indian army who were standing on the border. Yes, one thing I need to say that, it is not allowed for any cars to hault near the border or make any sound or horn. So, I completed the Nepal tour also, and, finally again got back to our cab, to go for our final destination, Mirik, which was a few kilometers (approximately 15 kilometers) away from the India-Nepal border. Please stay tuned with me for my other blogs.
