The term “Mall Road” is synonymous with British India, which has been around since the 18th century, something closely associated with the British era.

Apparently, the word “Mall” essentially means a long-sheltered walk or a promenade. 

Hill Stations in India were basically identified by the Britishers to seek refuge from the sweltering summer heat of the plains. Thus, every Hill station has a “Mall Road” – a fashionable place of leisure strolling and assembly for the residents and visitors alike. 

The Mall Road in Darjeeling is an extension of the junction of Nehru Road and Dr Zakir Hussain Road. The very busy Nehru Road boasting of famous Tourist souvenir shops and an array of fancy restaurants comes up and meets Dr Zakir Hussain Road near the Mall area, and the road further extends and circles around the Observatory Hill – which we call “The Mall Road” – a mystic tree shaded meandering road with breathtaking views of the Mountain ranges and rhododendron flowers in season.  Today a temple of Mahakal sits on top of the Observatory Hill – overlooking the whole Darjeeling town. 

There are benches at intervals along the Mall Road for people to sit and enjoy the beautiful views of Mountains and Valleys over a cup of hot Darjeeling tea – as you can find many tea sellers along the road, besides the countless vendors selling artefacts, figurines, warm woollens, and all kinds of Knick-knacks.  One side of the mall road is thickly layered with pine forest under the shadow of towering Mountain peaks.  Be it the casual morning/evening walkers, or fitness enthusiasts – who run or cycle through the road, couples on romantic dates, devotees to the Mahakal temple, nature lovers, photographers, Children enjoying the pony ride, or people just lounging around – The Mall Road caters to people of all walks of life young and old. 

Walking around the circle, when you turn towards the other half of the road, you will encounter the Raj Bhawan (Governor’s House – Summer residence of the Governor of West Bengal), a beautiful structure with imposing iron gates and well-kept lawns, the area continues to the Shrubbery Nightingale Park, and further down to the Himalayan Zoological Park. 

When you are making a round of the mall road, you will also encounter other landmarks like the Southfield College (previously known as the famous Loreto College), St. Andrews Church, District Library, Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhawan (now housing local Government Office), Darjeeling Gymkhana Club, approach of the famous Windemere Hotel and numerous other hotels that have sprung up lately.   

 The open space that the Mall Road starts and ends after making a full circle is the “Chowrasta”.  

“Chow” means four and “Rasta” means road – hence, the place where the four roads meet. This historical public square of the British era, free of vehicular movement is essentially a place to lounge and relax, but now also a major shopping hub for the Tourist and commercial activity for the locals. 

The erstwhile Brabourne Park is attached to the Chowrasta and now features a musical fountain. Besides, the huge golden colour statute of the first Nepali poet “Bhanubhakta Acharya” (who translated the epic Ramayan from Sanskrit to Nepali) and the Hawa Ghar are the two main attractions. The place also has an open auditorium (amphitheatre) with a mega TV Screen, where local rock bands often host performances. 

One side is lined with Food stalls, Curios Shops, Book stores, Shops of traditional garments, handicrafts, rugs and carpets, paintings, semi-precious jewellery and metal wares, Tea Shops – selling premium World-famous Darjeeling Tea leaves and eateries. 

The architecture of the old shops and buildings (Nehru Road) that culminates into the Chowrasta Mall are symbolic of the Victorian era. 

A rendezvous for people, The Chowrasta Mall, gives every traveller a true essence of Darjeeling.

The wide expanse allows lazy loitering and endless basking on the benches, just watching the World go by. On a sunny day with clear blue sky and Mount Kanchenjunga on the backdrop this could be your own little paradise. 

As the proverbial saying goes that “All roads in Darjeeling leads to Chowrasta “, this iconic place where Tourism meets Culture, is the heartbeat of Darjeeling, its history and glorious beauty, and the most important landmark that you simply cannot miss. An amalgamation of everything that makes Darjeeling the “Queen of Hills”