Have you ever wondered about the diverse and distinct culture of Darjeeling? If not, then here is to give you detailed information about the culture and food of Darjeeling.

A journey to the land of diversification:

Darjeeling is a famous hill-station of North Bengal and is blessed with diverse and distinct culture. They have several ethnic groups with its own set of festivals, food, and tradition. It is quite miscellaneous and it can be well understood by the native festivals celebrated in Darjeeling. As you look at the mix of the people and their origin you surely feel Darjeeling is a wonderful place to explore the diversified culture here.

Darjeeling is an amalgamation of communities:

The ‘Queen of Hills’ is a mixture of ethnic groups which forms a unique culture of Darjeeling. The original inhabitants of this hill station were Lepchas or Rongpa. They were easy going people living on what nature bestows upon them. The Khampas are another group of Lepchas but they are not at all easy-going people like their cousins and have a distinct warrior-like presence. The greater bulk of the people are Gorkhas who are very industrious and speak various dialects. Also much in evidence are the Bhutias who have also migrated from Tibet. Besides the four groups, one can also see a number of Bengalis, Anglo-Indians, Biharis, Chinese, Marwaris who are living permanently in the town of Darjeeling.

Diversified culture and tradition of Darjeeling:

Besides having beautiful places to see in Darjeeling, there are many festivals which bind the ethnic communities together. Hinduism, Buddhism and to an extent Christianity are the predominant religions here which celebrates different festivals in Darjeeling.

• New Year
• Christmas
• Holi
• Durga Puja
• Tihar
• Losha
• Cham Dance
• Dasain
• Buddha Jayanti and few other local festivals

Foods of Darjeeling:

Darjeeling’s diverse population has greatly the ethnic food habits. As this hill station witnesses, a long list of tourists throughout the year all the restaurants of Darjeeling cater to their tastes, ultimately making the food habits in Darjeeling as multi-cuisine.

• Momo
• Thukpas
• Shaphalay
• Aludum
• Tibetan Tea
• Sel roti
• Vegetable food
• Platter
• Dalle (Darjeeling Hills Pickles)

Traditional dresses of Darjeeling:

Darjeeling is well- known for the growth of tea in North-east India. As it is originally inhabited with Rongpas and Lepchas, Darjeeling has unique customs and traditions. The dresses of Darjeeling are also made with a lot of care. Different indigenous groups like Gorkhas, Khampas, Newars, Sherpas, Bengali, and Bhutias wear different types of costumes and the lifestyle is very different in Darjeeling.

• Traditional clothes for men in Darjeeling:

There are two types of traditional attire for men in Darjeeling- Lepcha and Tibetan usually wear Sikkimese bakkhu, whereas men in the Gorkha community wear Daura Sarwal which is a kurta and a pyjama with a waistcoat. Lepchas put a handwoven cloth on their shoulder and they put a round shaped cap which is known as thyaktuk.

• Traditional clothes for women in Darjeeling:

The women of Darjeeling usually wear chaubandi choli with a gunui cholo. It is a traditional blouse with a long skirt. Lepchas wear dumden. It is an ankle length skirt which is made of silk and cotton and it is commonly of solid color. A full sleeved blouse is also worn with the long skirt.

Blend of style and food in the heavenly Darjeeling

So if you love the diversified culture, food and dresses of Darjeeling then visit this amazing small hill station to witness this ethnicity and diversity among the people of Darjeeling with Eastern Meadows Tours by getting the best cultural tour package for Darjeeling to indulge yourself in this unity of Darjeeling.