Kurseong is a place located in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Tourist spots:
Kurseong is surrounded by tea gardens. Castleton, Makaibarie, Ambootia and Goomtee are some famous tea gardens, all of which can be visited.
Religious sites –
The Ambootia Shiva Temple.
Giddha Pahar Sita Ram Mandir
Giddah Pahar Durga Mata Mandir.
Jagdish Mandir
Buddhist Gompa (monastery) in Monteviot.
Kunsang Choling Monastery
Sath Kaniya Devi Mandir
Natural sites –
Eagle’s Craig.
Rock garden.
Downhill Park on the Dowhill Road.
The Kholas
The Kettle Valley
Museums –
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum & NSC Bose Institute of Asiatic Studies are situated in the Giddapahar area of Kurseong. The house displays priceless artefacts depicting the life of the freedom fighter which include photocopies of the exchange of letters between Netaji and his would-be wife, Ms. Emilie, many rare photographs of his Indian National Army (INA) & Indian Freedom Movement and a few personal belongings of Netaji and the Bose Family.
Other Sites –
Chimney: A walk or ride through the forest of Cryptomeria Japonica on the road, leads to the vast open meadows at Chimney. The curious name of the place is because there was a bungalow here on the only road leading to Darjeeling. A long, dilapidated chimney is the only remnant of the bungalow now.
Naya Busty Park: It is located just above the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Kurseong is from March to June and September to December.
The monsoon season is quite harsh.
How to reach:
Rail – The nearest railway is New Jalpaiguri railway station (NJP). From the station, one has to hire a car to reach Kurseong.
Flight – The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. From the airport, you have to book a cab to reach Kurseong.