Chowrasta "

Intersection In mathematics, the intersection of two or more objects is another object consisting of everything that is contained in all of the objects simultaneously. For example, in Euclidean geometry, when two lines in a plane are not parallel, their ...

" lit. ''where four roads meet'') is a historical

public square A town square (or public square, urban square, city square or simply square), also called a plaza or piazza, is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town or city, and which is used for community gatherings. Relat ...

in the

Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used. The era followed the ...

hill resort town of

Darjeeling Darjeeling (, , ) is a city in the northernmost region of the States and union territories of India, Indian state of West Bengal. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it has an average elevation of . To the west of Darjeeling lies the Koshi Pr ...

in the state of West Bengal, India. Located in the heart of the town it was the fashionable place of assembly for residents and visitors in the 18th century. Chowrasta is situated on the ridge of the Darjeeling hill range and is now a center of tourist attraction and a popular spot for the residents to assemble.

Geography

Chowrasta is perched at an altitude of and on a clear day, one can see Mount Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain in the world and twelve other peaks of the

Himalayan Range The Himalayas, or Himalaya ( ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the Earth's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest. More than 100 peak ...

, all which are above . It came into being during the

in the mid 18th century owing to Darjeeling's cool climate, which was similar to that of

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, the British established a hill station for its officials there. The square is lined with old stores (the oldest being Oxford Book & Stationery); towards the west is are hills and to the east are valleys. Although it is closed to all vehicles, Chowrasta is well connected to Darjeeling town and is at an accessible proximity from all parts of the Darjeeling hill range. Two main road arteries of the town, Nehru Road and Dr Zakir Hussain Road, culminate at Chowrasta and so do the two ends of Mall Road which winds around Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple. Both ends of the Mall Road meet at Chowrasta from the north. There are few other narrow roads and footpaths which terminate and originate at Chowrasta.

Social and tourist significance

Chowrasta is the social center of Darjeeling and witnesses many cultural and political activities throughout the year. A few coffee shops and restaurants have grown around it over the years. Activities available include pony rides along the Mall Road.

Statues, monuments and developments

On the far North of the square stands a golden concrete statue of Nepali poet Shri Bhanubhakta Acharya. Initially, a 'bust above' statue of the Acharya was erected on 17 June 1949 and a full life sized figure was reinstalled on 13 July 1996, commissioned by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan. In 2014 a park located behind the statue was developed into a stepped concrete platform for public events. Immediately after the entrance from Nehru Road is a water fountain ornamented with concrete golden colored fishes and pelicans, however the fountain is nonoperational. The Hawa Ghar (translation: wind house) is a permanent roofed concrete stage-like structure on the east edge of Chowrasta where cultural programs, performances and political speeches take place.

Chaurasta has a pigeon population and feeding them is a popular activity. Their droppings disfigure the Bhanubhakta statue and other stonework; the birds are not considered a health or public hazard.

Gallery of pictures

References

External links