Cool climate, majestic mountain views, unique floral and faunal diversity, fine heritage buildings, lush green tea gardens and landscape earned Darjeeling the name of ‘the Queen of the hills’.
There are many heritage buildings in Darjeeling which tell us the story of development of this hill station. Darjeeling Club is one such building which has contributed a great deal to the evolution and development of this town. The Darjeeling Club popularly known as the Planters Club was established in 1868 by the British tea planters. Tea plantations in Darjeeling came into existence around the middle of the 19th century and the need for a Club was felt by the tea planters. The land for the Club building was donated by the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and he was the only one whose rickshaw (There were no cars those days) was permitted to be parked in the main porch of the Club. No other Club member had this privilege those days the planters used to come riding into town and then change into formals before ordering a cup of tea or the first drink of the evening. The club was basically meant for relaxation & entertainment after the days hard work. Well dressed and smart bearers would serve them and the discussions centred around the latest crop position or the rude letters received from the head offices. Later in the evening British voices would get louder and words a little slurred before the planters called it a day.
The Club has been constructed in a very exclusive part of Darjeeling town and well blended architecturally with the local ambience. It retains its past glory. One can see the snow capped peaks clearly, despite the boom in building all-around. Once you arrive in the Club, you don’t need a vehicle. All shopping areas and restaurants are within walking distance. This is yet another feature of the Club.
The club provides residential accommodation to its members, so that they can conduct their business while in town. The Club has 20 well furnished suites. All the suites have attached baths, Cable T.V., running hot & cold water & telephone. The Club has two lounges for formal & informal parties.
Inside the club, the ambience is very cosy, comfortable and peaceful. There is a Billiards room which is a favourite of the members and guests. The Billiards room has priceless photographs of the third Mt. Everest Expedition in 1924, in which the mountaineers Mallory and Irvin lost their lives. Incidently, the expedition started out from this club in 1924.The oxygen cylinders used by Mallory and Irvin have been preserved by the club and are displayed at the club entrance. There is a table tennis room also which is very popular with the children of the planters and guests.
A conference hall has been recently added where exhibitions, cultural and social functions are held. It can accommodate 100 people and it is an ideal location to hold business meetings and seminars. Corporate houses and NGOs are taking great interest in holding seminars and workshops in the conference hall of the club.
There is a cosy bar room with comfortable sofa and bar stools. It is a pleasure to relax in a comfortable armchair next to the fire and browse through a Book – perhaps with a glass of wine to add to the warmth.
There is a well stocked Library with priceless collection of books on history, Travel, Fiction, Tea, Military campaigns – etc. Some of these dating back to the nineteen century. These have been supplemented over the years with the latest of modern writers.
The curved verandah of the club known as the ‘ Quarter Deck’ overlooks the mall, Initially the ladies were not permitted in the Quarter Deck but with the passage of time, this restriction has been removed. There is no record as to why and when the Committee imposed this restriction on the fair sex or removed it. Planters & guests come and sit here to have a glimpse of majestic Kanchanjungha or just sit here quietly and watch the world go by. The view of Kanchanjungha from here is majestic and breaths taking. The ‘Quarter Deck’ is adorned by a World War I maxim gun which was gifted to the club by Col. Young husband before he left Darjeeling to lead the first British expedition to Tibet.
There is a magnificent dining room with parelled walls and teak ceilings. The walls have mounted heads of India Bison, Mountains goats, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopards etc. which were shot by the planters which gives the club an incomparable aura of history and heritage.
The Club was initially meant for the Planters only. But with the passage of time and arrival of Cable T.V. the Planters reduced the use of the Club and the Committee welcomed guests to patronize the club and stay in the club. The only condition is that during their stay the guests are made temporary members of the club. According to Vice-President of the club “The club was a refuge for the planters who worked hard the whole week and came to the club for merry making, fun and joy as it was the only place for social gatherings and entertainment but now with the arrival of cable TV, the entertainment is available at home that is why it has become difficult to sustain the Club through the membership of the planters alone and it has been open to the guests”. The club interiors are gracious and elegant. The furniture is maintained with Loving Care. There are abundance of old Photographs, antique artifacts. The lounges and Bar are cosy and comfortable with fire places. A gazebo lets you soak sunlight and superb view of town and snowcapped peak. It is a life time experience to stay in the Club, adds Mr. Sonam Gyaltsen, the President of the Club.
Maj. J. S. Rana (Retd) an Ex-Gorkha Officer, now Karma Lekshey Gyatsho (He has recently taken to Buddhism) has taken keen interest to develop and nurture the gardens around the Club and has planted a large number of creepers, herbs, shrubs and ornamental trees. The Club has truly become the lungs of the Darjeeling town. The Club is Eco friendly and harvesting rain water to augment its water supply.
Maj. J. S. Rana. the dynamic and workaholic Secretary of the club has taken great care and pains to maintain and enhance the heritage value of the Club. He has brought about the required changes without tampering with the heritage architectural value of the buildings. He has added two brand new observatory suites from where one can see the majestic Kanchanjungha and snow-capped peaks even while lying in the bed. He has added modern amenities without compromising with the heritage value. The club buildings look the same as it was 138 years ago despite the large number of changes that have been brought about. Recently the Club has an ambitious expansion plan and new suites are being created on ethnic themes and Sona, Steam bath and Gym are being added. All these innovative efforts of Maj. Rana are being appreciated by all the members of Planters Community and guests alike. According to Mr. Jeewan Pande a senior tea planter Maj. J.S. Rana is instrumental for bringing the Club to the present standards and the Planter Community is quite proud of him”.
“Darjeeling club is totally committed to hospitality and provides cosy and comfortable suites with modern amenities” says Mr. P.C. Tamang, former President of the Club next time you are around in town, do visit the club and rediscover the rich heritage of the queen of hills to immortalize its legacy.
Live through its past and blend it with future. For more details please call 009434048572.