{"id":5429,"date":"2025-03-16T12:04:30","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T12:04:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myoffbeatravelog.com\/?p=5429"},"modified":"2025-03-22T15:38:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T15:38:41","slug":"kurseong-a-known-scenic-hilly-town-land-of-white-orchids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myoffbeatravelog.com\/?p=5429","title":{"rendered":"Kurseong: A known scenic hilly town & land of white orchids"},"content":{"rendered":"

While traveling to North Bengal, we usually prioritize Darjeeling over Kurseong, but Kurseong has unique historical importance and natural beauty, along with green tea gardens, which are quite attractive to tourists. Also, this hill station in the Eastern Himalayas has an offbeat feature, which makes it an ideal place for tourists who love adventure and offbeat travel. So, I think Kurseong has not yet got its actual status on the Indian tourism map; rather, this hill station is a bit neglected.
\nAnother reason for my trip to Kurseong was my father-in-law, who had been in Kurseong for a few years as an employee of the government bank. He was very keen to meet his old friends again. My wife was also very excited to revisit some of her favorite places in Kurseong, such as Monteviot <\/strong>and Whistle Khola<\/strong> or Hussain Khola<\/strong> (Springs).
\nEarlier I had traveled to Darjeeling via Kurseong many times but had never stayed in Kurseong.
\nThat’s why we traveled to Kurseong in early April 2023. In this blog post, I have tried to highlight the known and unknown Kurseong.<\/p>\n

Why is Kurseong referred to as<\/span> the <\/span><\/strong>Land of White Orchids<\/span>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Kurseong was once a part of Sikkim. In 1835, the British government of India acquired Darjeeling, including Kurseong, on lease from the then Chogyal (a religious king) of the kingdom of Sikkim on the basis of an annual allowance. The Lepcha community was the original inhabitant of this region during that time. These early settlers (lepchas) named their place after the Kurson-rip<\/strong> (means a small, wild & white orchid in lepcha language), that usually blooms in abundance on the hillsides in the region in the spring. The scientific name of this type of orchid is Coelogyne cristata<\/strong>.
\nTherefore, Kurseong is locally referred to as Kharsang<\/strong>, which in the Lepcha language means Land of White Orchids<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Dow Hill (Kurseong) is considered the mother of all haunted places in India. Reality or Rumors?
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According to local legend and superstition, the road that starts from Dow Hill School<\/strong> to Victoria Boys School<\/strong> is known as Death Road<\/strong>. Locals claim to have experienced paranormal activity within the confines of this Road, while others also claim to have heard voices from the forest. The forest is avoided by the locals even during the day because of various ghost stories.<\/p>\n

\"Kurseongoldchurch\"
A Haunted church, Victoria Boys School, Dow Hill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The surrounding silence and misty magic atmosphere attract tourists, but personally I did not experience any paranormal activity at all. So, truly, many ghost stories and superstitions have made Dow Hill<\/strong> (Kurseong)<\/strong> known as one of the most haunted hill stations in India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Kurseong \u2014 Famous for the Best Boarding Schools and Educational Hub
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The centuries-old boarding schools of Kurseong are also famous in India for their exceptional quality of education. The sprawling campuses of the boarding schools, set amidst beautiful natural surroundings, offer a unique view. In present times, these boarding schools have made strides in providing a modern curriculum while maintaining their heritage.
\nStudents interested in traditional education will find distinguished alumni, magnificent colonial architecture and rich historical value as assets. These boarding schools attract a lot of foreign students every year, in addition to domestic students. Below are some well-known schools.<\/p>\n