People

The original inhabitants of the Darjeeling Hills were Lepchas or Rongpa (the ravine folks) as they prefer themselves to

be known as.Though their origin is obscure, they are decidedly Mongolian in feature. The Khampas, another branch

of the Lepchas, are warrior-like and more dashing than their docile cousins.The Khampas are recent immigrants from

Tibet. The greater bulk of the people in the Hills are Gorkhas . They are industrious and enterprising as a race and

speak various dialects.The short Mongolian type Nepalese, the Gorkhas, renowned for their military prowess the

world over, and the first to be decorated with the coveted Victoria Cross,finds jobs and security both in the British

and Indian armies. They carry the traditional weapon, the Khukri-a curved ornamental knife.Among the population

are also the Newars or best known, the world over as the Sherpas.They are well known for their courage, stamina

and surefootedness and for their immeasurable contributions to Mountaineering.Also much in evidence in the Hills

are the Bhutias and they are divided into Tibetan, Bhutan, Dharma and Sikkimese Bhutias and a greater bulk of 

Bengalee from Siliguri subdivision.

Language

Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and English are the prevailing languages. Bengali is the language of the plains, Tibetan is used

by the refugees and some other tribal people.

Religion

Hinduism, Buddhism and to an extent Christianity, remain the predominant religions here.

Food

Pamper your taste buds with the exotic but homely food and discover a mosaic of culture while satiating your gastronomical needs.

Whether it is the ubiquitous momos or thupkas whose fabled taste has transcended across the Himalayas along with the migrant

Tibetans or the lemon grass menu from south-east Asia,Darjeeling offers you the best.

Momo

Meat dumplings which are steamed and accompanied by a bowl of clear soup and achaar.

One can also order for vegetable momos in which the meat is ideally replaced by cabbage

and other vegetables.

Thupkas

Tibetan noodles mixed with egg/meat, vegetables with a predominant soup base.

Shaphalay

Tibetan bread stuffed with meat.

Aludum

Typical indian potato preparation which the hill people cannot do without.

Tibetan tea

Salt tea which is mixed with butter which has its own distinct taste.

Tongba

Local brew made from millet and has to be sipped through a bamboo straw. Usually found in the

local haat(fair) held on sunday near the Rock Garden.