DHR revives princess’s moonlit party train

Darjeeling: Building on the lore of the princess of Cooch Behar, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is set to introduce special rides on full-moon nights, ‘Maharani's Great Escapade'. The first ride will be flagged off on the first full moon of March.The story, preserved in local lore, speaks of the visit of the Cooch Behar princess in early 1920s. The princess was invited to a grand ball at Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling. Finding the evening dull, she slipped away with the help of the DHR's then general manager, hosting her own moonlit party aboard the train as it wound down the hills.
DHR director Rishab Choudhary said the new offering sought to recreate that regal escapade in a modern, curated format. "This is a premium service that will operate exclusively on full-moon nights and accommodate up to three persons per trip. The journey will begin at 5.30 pm with a visit to the historic Tindharia workshop, followed by departure at 6 pm. Tibetan tea will be served on the train. Between 7 pm and 11 pm, the train will travel from Rongtong to Sukna and then to Gulma Tea Estate. At Gulma, a cultural performance and a dinner will be hosted, followed by a moonlit tea-plucking session, offering a rare opportunity to experience a tea garden under the a full moon," he said.The DHR will also introduce ‘Bagheera's Trail—The Sunset Ride Experience' next month, blending heritage rail travel with nature exploration. The initiative is being launched in collaboration with the Kurseong forest department to provide visitors with curated outdoor experiences on the hills. This journey will begin at 10 am, with participants assembling in Dow Hill, Kurseong. The itinerary includes a trek of around two hours, under the supervision of forest personnel. Visitors can choose from jungle trails, road walks and uphill or downhill routes. There will also be an option of visiting the local forest museum and a viewpoint, ‘Heaven', along with a stop at an old monastery. At the end of the trek, participants will be ferried to the Kurseong railway station, from where the DHR will depart before dusk towards Mahanadi, with a halt at Giddha Pahar and an optional visit to Netaji Museum."These curated journeys are designed to allow visitors to experience the hills beyond a conventional train ride," Choudhary added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !