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Evoking Sevoke
Green and serene

Until recently, visitors on their way to Sikkim, Darjeeling or the Dooars region broke journey for a while at Sevoke - about 20 km up from the Siliguri plains - to admire the majestic Coronation Bridge over the Tista River.

The bridge, which flanks the Tista, that at places is 84 m wide and 100 m deep, was built in 1941 to mark the coronation of George VI that took place in 1937. John Chambers, the last British executive engineer of the Darjeeling division of the Public Works Department, had executed the bridge at a cost of Rs. 400,000 (US$ 9,000).

From a brief stopover, the Sevoke Hills area today is, however, being developed as a major halt for tourists, both local and foreign, thanks to a non-governmental organization - Save Coronation Bridge Committee. The NGO is an extension of the welfare cell of The Cindrella Hotel, a four-star accommodation based in Siliguri.

CORONATION BRIDGE

The Coronation Bridge, also known as Sevoke Bridge, spans the mighty Tista River at the confluence with its tributary, the Rangeet. The emerald waters of the Tista together, abundant foliage and greenery and the peace found in the area have made Sevoke a really refreshing stop.

The Tista River is the great drainer of the eastern Himalaya, originating as it does in Lake Cholamo at an elevation of 5,334 m, which is more than twice the height of the well known Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. On its way, the river takes in tributaries from the Thangu, Yumthang and Donkia La ranges to the north of Gangtok, Sikkim's capital, and rushes down deep valleys before reaching the plains through Sevoke. From the plains, the river then passes through the Jalpaiguri and Rungpore districts to enter the Brahmaputra at Fulcherry. Upon reaching Goalundo, the waters unite with the Padma before merging with the Meghna River that stretches 96 km wide.

Given its stunning natural surroundings, the committee is taking initiatives to develop Sevoke as a vantage point for photographers. The existing view point has been redesigned and renovated with seats so that visitors can relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. The area has two temples - one of Kali and the other of Shiva - which see crowds of devotees everyday. A major attraction in Sevoke is the Ganesh Jhora, a stream where a natural Ganesh-like figure exists in stone. To enhance the beauty of the stream, local artists have been involved in rock sculpturing. Centralizing the natural form of Ganesh, the NGO has created different postures of the god in mural form.

DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY

The promoters of the Coronation Bridge are also encouraging the restoration, renewal and preservation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) and its stations as a living museum. The railway remains the first and still the most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway.

The DHR, more popularly known as the Toy Train, now a world heritage, is one of the best ways to experience Darjeeling. It's a total of 88 km, but it takes nine hours to complete the journey, yet an experience worth every hour of it. A 19th century engineering feat, the narrow gauge steam railway was built between 1879 and 1881 and was responsible for the development of Darjeeling as a hill station. The construction of the line is considered a unique engineering accomplishment because of its steep gradient, sharp curves, Z-crossings and loops.

The DHR passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes that any known railway in the world has been known to be built through. The millions of people who have traveled on the train over the past one century have dubbed the views "the most beautiful in the world". Starting from the green plains of the Terai, the trains huff and puff their way, negotiating the narrow bends and Z-crossings to Ghoom, the highest railway station, and on to Darjeeling.

In rising to Darjeeling, you are actually ascending the lower spurs of the Singalila range. As the train gains height, forests of sal give way to fig, oak, chestnut and walnut trees. Along the route, picturesque towns, rivers and streams and the peaks of the Singalila range, namely the world's third highest peak of Kanchenjunga at 8,586 m, Kabru and Jannu come into view.

Abundant in natural beauty, the whole region from Darjeeling to Sikkim and Dooars is a great place for holidaymakers. However, because of the mountain road - although well maintained - the only thing you need to set aside aplenty to visit the area is time.