Kurseong derives its name from the Nepali word, Kharshang which means dawn's pole star. Kurseong was transferred to the British in 1835 by the King of Sikkim. The town gained importance only after 1880 although Darjeeling took away the larger share of tourism. It is home to some reputed schools such as Goethals, Victoria and Dow Hill. Kurseong is a nature lover's heaven and offers some interesting treks.
Because of its lower elevation, Kurseong enjoys a milder and very healthy climate throughout the year. The total area of the Kurseong town is about 5.05 sq Km. The peace, calmness and healthy climate attracts many people to this place. Some of the famous poems and songs of Guru Rabindranath Tagore were composed in Kurseong.
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The magic painter Abanindranath Tagore and great composer Atul Prasad Sen got inspiration for some of their famous works around Kurseong.
Kurseong was ceded to the British Empire by the king of Sikkim in 1835. Later in 1880, the small village became a tourist destination
for the colonial authorities and was a preferred place for sanatoriums where the sick would recuperate. Thereafter, the Kurseong T.B. Sanatorium was built because the climate and environment was healthy and rejuvenating for the sick and elderly.
As you leave the small town you can find acres of verdant slopes covered with tea bushes – one of the finest varieties of Darjeeling Tea is found in the tea gardens surrounding Kurseong.
The finest teas are produced by Castleton, Makaibari and Ambootia Tea Estate. Visitor can have a first hand experience of how tea leaves are processed and prepared for production by visiting the nearby tea factories. Even though Kurseong has lagged behind in the race to become a preferred tourist location compared to its glamorous counterpart Darjeeling, there is calm and peace about the place that does not fail to affect a visitor – and that quest for peace and calm brings him back again.
Attractions :
- Eagle’s Craig view point
- Bagora
- Bhangzang Salamander Lake
- Dowhill’s Girls School
- Victoria Boy’s School
- Forest Museum
- Giddapahar Seti Mata Temple
- Grotto
How to Reach :
- By Air
Nearest airport Bagdogra (60 kms from Kurseong), is connected to Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Guwahati & other places of north-eastern India by Indian Airlines, Damania & Vayudoot services.
- By Rail
Kurseong itself is a railway station on the NJP-Darjeeling narrow guage line (Toy Train Line). And NJP (New Jalpaiguri), 57 kms from Kurseong, is directly connected by rail to Kolkata (Calcutta) and other main places in India.
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- By Road
Kurseong is connected by road with Shiliguri (51 kms) and from there to practically all the major cities of India. Some road distances are:- Guwahati 560 kms, Kolkata (Calcutta) 636 kms, Delhi 1359 kms, Kathmandu 621 kms.
