Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Kalimpong, West Bengal


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Originally uploaded by shivku.
Kalimpong is a hill station nestled in the Shiwalik Hills in the Indian State of West Bengal. It is adjacent to the State of Sikkim and near the Teesta River. The town is the headquarters of the Kalimpong subdivision, a part of the District of Darjeeling. A major forward base of the Indian Army is located on the outskirts of the town.

The town offers a breathtaking view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayan Range that lies not far beyond it. The lush green valleys are a soothing sight. There are two things that strike one on reaching Kalimpong. These are its bustling bazaars that stand out in sharp contrast to the quiet atmosphere heightened by the several places of worship all around.

The gushing rivers in the vicinity and bursts of green forests only add to the scenic beauty of the Region. Another major attraction in Kalimpong is the various nurseries abloom with exotic flowers and rare varieties of plants.

Kalimpong is an important flower producing center and it produces 80% of the total gladioli produced in India. There are numerous nurseries in Kalimpong, which excel in production of orchids.

Until the 18th century AD, Kalimpong was a part of the Kingdom of Sikkim and was ruled by Sikkimese rulers. It was then taken over by the Bhutanese. In the 19th century, the British took over Kalimpong and merged into the present Indian State of West Bengal.

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