Bengal Natural History Museum, Darjeeling in Darjeeling
· Summer: 19 to 37 °C (Mild)
· Winter:- 2 to 24°C (Extremely Cold)
· Monsoon:July to August (Scanty Rainfall)
Best time to visit:
September to June
Opening Time: 10:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 04:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday: Open onall days except Thursdays
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: INR 5
Children:
INR 2
Cameras: N/A
Video Camera: N/A
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
INR 5
Children:
INR 2
Cameras:
N/A
Video Camera:
N/A
Sited about 10 minutes from the Chowrasta Mallbehind Gorakh Ranga Manch Bhawan, Darjeeling, Bengal Natural History Museum houses an extensive collection of Himalayan and Bengal fauna. Nestled in the heart of Darjeeling, the museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore over 4300 specimens of bird species, butterflies,reptiles, fishes, and animal species.
The museum is compartmented into larger sections – ground floor and basement.Showcasing the wide varieties of flora and fauna, the museum also houses estuarine crocodiles – a rare species of crocodile. The butterfly and beetle section of the museum pulls maximum tourist attention.
Apart from animal and bird species, the museum also exhibits a fabulous variety of colourful stones, which are visible in their mineral form. The radiantly decorated butterflies are undoubtedly the magnificent sight to look at.
Bengal Natural History Museum Building also has a small library with a reading roomthat hosts a collection of many worthful and rarebooks like125 volume series of "The fauna of British India”.
Other nearby attractions in Darjeeling includeTiger Hill, Senchal Lake, Lloyd Botanical Garden and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
Connectivites
Road:
The place is well-connected by excellent roads. Regular buses are available from Siliguri to Darjeeling. Regular buses connect the city with many cities in and around Darjeeling like Siliguri, Kurseong and Gangtok.
Railway:
Bagdogra Airport (about 68 km.) is the nearest airport. Travellers can take taxi from the airport. The airport is connected to Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati.
Airway:
New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (about 68 km.) is the nearest station that connects to most of the major cities in India. The famous Toy train is available to tour the city.