Chowrasta (Darjeeling) - Revision history

CleanupBot: Robot: Replacing encoded entity with character

2026-03-22T04:38:42Z

Robot: Replacing encoded entity with character

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:08, 22 March 2026
Line 39:		Line 39:

	== Social and tourist significance ==		== Social and tourist significance ==
	Chowrasta is the social center of Darjeeling and witnesses many cultural and political activities throughout the year. A few coffee shops and restaurants have grown around it over the years. Activities available include pony rides along the Mall Road.<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKbSCQAAQBAJ&q=chowrasta+altitude&pg=PA12\|title=Darjeeling Pocket Travel Guide\|last1=Guides\|first1=Bluworlds\|last2=Das\|first2=Joydip\|publisher=Bluworlds Guides\|language=en}}</ref>{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		Chowrasta is the social center of Darjeeling and witnesses many cultural and political activities throughout the year. A few coffee shops and restaurants have grown around it over the years. Activities available include pony rides along the Mall Road.<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKbSCQAAQBAJ&q=chowrasta+altitude&pg=PA12\|title=Darjeeling Pocket Travel Guide\|last1=Guides\|first1=Bluworlds\|last2=Das\|first2=Joydip\|publisher=Bluworlds Guides\|language=en}}</ref>{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	== Statues, monuments and developments ==		== Statues, monuments and developments ==
Line 64:		Line 64:
	== External links ==		== External links ==
	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1ozimDLKo Chowrasta video]		* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1ozimDLKo Chowrasta video]
	* [https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/search.php?t=2&q=Darjeeling&n=12 Old pictures of Darjeeling]		* [https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/search.php?t=2&q=Darjeeling&n=12 Old pictures of Darjeeling]

	{{Darjeeling}}		{{Darjeeling}}

Khalek Rahaman: slightly adjusted content based on references and added references for clarity

2025-08-05T13:03:06Z

slightly adjusted content based on references and added references for clarity

CharlineDiederic: Page refined with updated information

2025-08-05T13:03:06Z

Page refined with updated information

Show changes

>The Anome: {{coord|27.0448|N|88.2677|E|region:IN_type:landmark|display=title}}

2021-06-22T20:45:37Z

{{coord|27.0448|N|88.2677|E|region:IN_type:landmark|display=title}}

New page

{{Short description|Historical public square in Darjeeling}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox street
| name = Chowrasta
| former_names = Band Stand
| namesake =
| image = Darjeeling MET DP71242.jpg
| image_size = 275
| caption = Chowrasta (Band Stand), Darjeeling in 1880
| postal_code = 734101
| location = [[Darjeeling]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| maint = [[Darjeeling Municipality]]
| map_type =
| map_caption =
| coordinates =
| designer =
| completion_date = {{circa| mid18th century}}
| north = [[Sikkim]]
| south = [[Kurseong]]
| west = [[Nepal]]
| east = [[Kalimpong]], [[Bhutan]]
| website =
}}
[[File:Chowrasta Darjeeling audio.ogg|thumb|Pronunciation of Chowrasta]]
[[File:Darjeeling QE2 52.jpg|thumb|236x236px|
'''Pictute above ca. 1897-1899.'''

'''The Queen's Empire. Volume 2. Cassell & Co. London:'''

THE "CHOWRASTA," DARJEELING. The scene which is here depicted is a Children's Floral Fete at Darjeeling, The children are assembling on the Chowrasta - or " Four Roads "—before proceeding to the "Shrubbery." The junction of Ihe" Calcutta and Auckland Roads" with the two " Malls" gives its name to the Chowrasta. which is the fashionable place of assembly for residents and visitors in the charming mountain station of Darjeeling; Darjeeling, which is now connected with the plains by a narrow Range railway, is not only a health resort for those who have become exhausted or enfeebled by work in the burning offices of Calcutta, but is the centre of the flourishing district in which the famous Darjeeling teas are grown. Among the throng seen in the picture are British soldiers in their sun helmets, and a couple of Gurkka soldiers recruited in the neighbouring State of Nepaul.

''The description above has not been edited by the author of this Wikipedia article and has been displayed as it came with the picture.''
]]

'''Chowrasta''' (Translation: ''where four roads meet'') is a historical [[Town square|public square]] in the [[Victorian era]] hill resort town of [[Darjeeling]] in the state of West Bengal, India. Located in the heart of the town it was the fashionable place of assembly for residents and visitors in the 18th Century. Chowrasta is situated on the ridge of the Darjeeling hill range and is now a focal center of tourist attraction and a popular spot for the residents to assemble, leisure or just stroll in the tranquility that that part of the hill station offers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114006111400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212540/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114006111400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-09-26|title=Return of the queen|date=2007-09-26|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref><ref name="darjeeling tourism" />

== Geography ==
{{OSM Location map
| width=420| height=450| zoom=13
| coord={{coord|27|2|0|N|88|16|3|E}}| float=left|caption='''Darjeeling''' TE: tea estate, F: facility, T: religious place, I: institute Abbreviations used in names – TE for Tea Estate Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map
|mark-coord1={{coord|27|2|45|N|88|15|31|E}} | label-pos1=left|label1= Happy Valley TE| numbered1=TE| mark-title1= [[Happy Valley Tea Estate]] (TE)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle| shape-color1=#87A96B |shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|27|2|20|N|88|14|58|E}} | label-pos2=left|label2=Arya TE| numbered2=TE| mark-title2= [[Arya Tea Estate]] (TE)| shape-color2=#87A96B
|mark-coord3={{coord|27|2|33|N|88|17|58|E}} | label-pos3=left|label3=Lebong & Mineral Spring TE| numbered3=R| mark-title3= [[Lebong & Mineral Spring Tea Garden]] (TE)| shape-color3=#87A96B
|mark-coord4={{coord|27|2|10|N|88|15|46|E}} | label-pos4=left|label4=Darjeeling railway station| numbered4=F| mark-title4= [[Darjeeling railway station]] (F)| shape-color4= #A40000
|mark-coord5={{coord|27|2|42|N|88|16|3|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=Chowrasta | numbered5=F| mark-title5= [[Chowrasta (Darjeeling)]] (F)| shape-color5=black| label-size5=13|label-color5=black 
|mark-coord6={{coord|27|2|52|N|88|16|4|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6=Mahakal Temple| numbered6=T| mark-title6= [[Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling]] (T)| shape-color6= #C42222
|mark-coord7={{coord|27|3|0|N|88|15|57|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7=Observatory Hill View Point| numbered7=F| mark-title7= [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling]] (F)| shape-color7= #A40000
|mark-coord8={{coord|27|3|6|N|88|15|46|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8=Raj Bhavan| numbered8=F| mark-title8= [[Raj Bhavan, Darjeeling]] (F)| shape-color8= #A40000
|mark-coord9={{coord|27|3|15|N|88|15|15|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9=Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park| numbered9=F| mark-title9= [[Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park]] (F)| shape-color9= #A40000
|mark-coord10={{coord|27|3|10|N|88|14|55|E}} | label-pos10=left|label10=Himalayan |labela10=Mountaineering|labelb10=Institute |numbered10=I| mark-title10= [[Himalayan Mountaineering Institute]] (i)| shape-color10= #87410E
|mark-coord11={{coord|27|3|40|N|88|15|13|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11=Darjeeling Ropeway | numbered11=F| mark-title11= [[Darjeeling Ropeway]] (F)| shape-color11= #A40000
|mark-coord12={{coord|27|2|40|N|88|15|46|E}} | label-pos12=left|label12= Lloyd’s Botanical Garden| numbered12= F| mark-title12= [[Lloyd's Botanical Garden]] (F)| shape-color12= #A40000
|mark-coord13={{coord|27|1|39|N|88|15|32|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13= Peace Pagoda| numbered13= T| mark-title13= [[Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling]] (F)| shape-color13= #C42222
|mark-coord14={{coord|27|1|0|N|88|14|48|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14= Batasia Loop| numbered14= F| mark-title14= [[Batasia Loop]] (F)| shape-color14= #A40000
|mark-coord15={{coord|27|0|42|N|88|15|1|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15= Ghum Monastery| numbered15= T| mark-title15= [[Ghum Monastery]] (T)| shape-color15= #C42222}}

Chowrasta is perched at an altitude of {{convert|2134|m|ft}} and on a clear day, one can see [[Kangchenjunga|Mount Kanchenjunga]] the third highest mountain in the world and twelve other peaks of the [[Himalayas|Himalayan Range]], all which are above {{convert|20000|ft|m}}. It came into being during the [[Victorian era]] in the mid 18th century owing to Darjeeling's cool climate, which was similar to that of London, the British established a hill station for its officials there.

The square is lined with old yet prominent heritage stores (the oldest being Oxford Book & Stationery) towards the west and an open vista of rolling hills, snow peaks and shadowed valleys on the east, all under a deep blue sky surrounded by very old pine trees.

Numerous benches are dotted all around the promenade for people to sit and watch 'life go by' (local or native residents were refrained for sitting on these benches during the [[British Raj|British rule in India]]). Although it is closed to all vehicles, Chowrasta is well connected to Darjeeling town and is at an accessible proximity from all parts of the Darjeeling hill range.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ixigo.com/chowrasta-and-the-mall-darjeeling-india-ne-1652240|title=chowrasta and the mall - ixigo trip planner!|website=www.ixigo.com|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref> Two main road arteries of the town, Nehru Road and Dr Zakir Hussain Road, culminate at Chowrasta and so do the two ends of Mall Road which winds around [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling|Observatory Hill]] and [[Mahakal Temple (Darjeeling)|Mahakal Temple.]] Both ends of the Mall Road meet at Chowrasta from the north. There are few other narrow roads and footpaths which terminate and originate at Chowrasta.<ref name="darjeeling tourism">{{Cite web|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_000013.htm|title=Darjeeling Mall, Chowrasta|last=win7|website=www.darjeeling-tourism.com|access-date=2018-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tourism.webindia123.com/tourism/hillstations/darjeeling/index.htm|title=Darjeeling, Hill Station Darjeeling, hill stations in India, Hill Stations in West Bengal, scenic places, tourism|website=tourism.webindia123.com|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref>

== Social and tourist significance ==
Chowrasta is the heart and social center of Darjeeling and it witnesses many social, cultural, educational and political activities throughout the year. Few coffee shops and restaurants have mushroomed around it over the years and with mobile vendors on foot selling tea and snacks on the square itself. During tourist season one can enjoy a leisurely pony ride on the Mall Road.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKbSCQAAQBAJ&q=chowrasta+altitude&pg=PA12|title=Darjeeling Pocket Travel Guide|last1=Guides|first1=Bluworlds|last2=Das|first2=Joydip|publisher=Bluworlds Guides|language=en}}</ref>

== Statues, monuments and developments ==
=== Bhanu Bhakta statue ===
On the far North of the square stands a good sized golden concrete statue of Nepali poet [[Bhanubhakta Acharya|Shri Bhanubhakta Acharya]] stood a brown granite plinth facing the open flat as if to watch over the souls who visit there. Initially, a 'bust above' statue of the Acharya was erected on 17 June 1949 and a full life sized figure reinstalled on 13 July 1996, commissioned by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan.

In 2014 a park located behind the statue (North) was developed into a stepped concrete platform to give way for public events.<ref name="darjeeling tourism" />

=== Water fountain and Hawa Ghar ===
Immediately after the entrance from Nehru Road (South end of Chowrasta) is a water fountain ornamented with concrete golden colored fishes (perhaps koi) and pelicans, however the fountain ceased to operate or spout water since long due to the scarcity of water in Darjeeling.

The Hawa Ghar (translation: wind house) is a permanent roofed concrete stage like structure on the east edge of Chowrasta where cultural programs, performances and the occasional political speeches take place (historically local political speeches are limited to Chowk Bazar, a less glamorous part to town).<ref name="darjeeling tourism" />

== Pigeons ==
[[File:Bhanubhakta statue.JPG|thumb|349x349px|Bhanubhakta statue in Chowrasta]]
Chaurasta, like all city squares has its share of pigeon population and feeding them is still a popular activity among the elderly and the tourists. Their droppings disfigure the Bhanubhakta statue and other stonework and the birds not considered a health or public hazard yet.<ref name="darjeeling tourism" />

== See also ==
[[Mahakal Temple (Darjeeling)|Mahakal Temple]]

[[Darjeeling#Tourism|Darjeeling]]

[[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling]]

== Gallery of pictures ==
{{Gallery|title=|align=center|height=140|width=170|File:Darjeeling View from The Mall.jpg|View from Mall Road|File:Darjeeling view from Chowrasta.jpg|View from Chowrasta|File:Darjeeling Kangchenjunga.jpg|Kanchenjunga|File:Kanchanjunga shining.jpg|First light on Kanchenjunga |File:Darjeeling.jpg|Darjeeling town|File:Kanchanjangha.jpeg|Mt. Kanchanjunga }}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1ozimDLKo Chowrasta video]
* [https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/search.php?t=2&q=Darjeeling&n=12 Old pictures of Darjeeling]

{{Darjeeling}}

{{coord|27.0448|N|88.2677|E|region:IN_type:landmark|display=title}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Darjeeling]]
[[Category:Darjeeling]]
[[Category:Hill stations in West Bengal]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 5 August 2025
Line 29:		Line 29:
	[[File:Darjeeling QE2 52.jpg\|thumb\|People assembling at Chowrasta, {{circa}} 1897–1899]]		[[File:Darjeeling QE2 52.jpg\|thumb\|People assembling at Chowrasta, {{circa}} 1897–1899]]

	'''Chowrasta''' "[[Intersection (road)\|Intersection]]" [[Literal translation\|lit.]] ''where four roads meet'') is a historical [[Town square\|public square]] in the [[Victorian era]] hill resort town of [[Darjeeling]] in the state of West Bengal, India. Located in the heart of the town it was the fashionable place of assembly for residents and visitors in the 18th century. Chowrasta is situated on the ridge of the Darjeeling hill range and is now a center of tourist attraction and a popular spot for the residents to assemble.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite web\|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114006111400.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212540/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114006111400.htm\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=2007-09-26\|title=Return of the queen\|website=hinduonnet.com\|date=2007-09-26\|access-date=2018-08-17}}~~<~~/ref~~><~~ref name="darjeeling tourism" /~~>~~{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		'''Chowrasta''' "[[Intersection (road)\|Intersection]]" [[Literal translation\|lit.]] ''where four roads meet'') is a historical [[Town square\|public square]] in the [[Victorian era]] hill resort town of [[Darjeeling]] in the state of West Bengal, India. Located in the heart of the town it was the fashionable place of assembly for residents and visitors in the 18th century. Chowrasta is situated on the ridge of the Darjeeling hill range and is now a center of tourist attraction and a popular spot for the residents to assemble.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114006111400.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212540/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2201/stories/20050114006111400.htm\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=2007-09-26\|title=Return of the queen\|website=hinduonnet.com\|date=2007-09-26\|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref><ref name="darjeeling tourism" />{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	== Geography ==		== Geography ==
	Chowrasta is perched at an altitude of {{convert\|2134\|m\|ft}} and on a clear day, one can see [[Kangchenjunga\|Mount Kanchenjunga]] the third highest mountain in the world and twelve other peaks of the [[Himalayas\|Himalayan Range]], all which are above {{convert\|20000\|ft\|m}}. It came into being during the [[Victorian era]] in the mid 18th century owing to Darjeeling's cool climate, which was similar to that of [[London]], the British established a hill station for its officials there.{{cn\|date=March 2024}}		Chowrasta is perched at an altitude of {{convert\|2134\|m\|ft}} and on a clear day, one can see [[Kangchenjunga\|Mount Kanchenjunga]] the third highest mountain in the world and twelve other peaks of the [[Himalayas\|Himalayan Range]], all which are above {{convert\|20000\|ft\|m}}. It came into being during the [[Victorian era]] in the mid 18th century owing to Darjeeling's cool climate, which was similar to that of [[London]], the British established a hill station for its officials there.{{cn\|date=March 2024}}

	The square is lined with old stores (the oldest being Oxford Book &~~amp;~~ Stationery); towards the west is are hills and to the east are valleys.{{cn\|date=March 2024}}		The square is lined with old stores (the oldest being Oxford Book & Stationery); towards the west is are hills and to the east are valleys.{{cn\|date=March 2024}}

	Although it is closed to all vehicles, Chowrasta is well connected to Darjeeling town and is at an accessible proximity from all parts of the Darjeeling hill range.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite web\|url=https://www.ixigo.com/chowrasta-and-the-mall-darjeeling-india-ne-1652240\|title=chowrasta and the mall - ixigo trip planner!\|website=www.ixigo.com\|access-date=2018-08-15}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ Two main road arteries of the town, Nehru Road and Dr Zakir Hussain Road, culminate at Chowrasta and so do the two ends of Mall Road which winds around [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling\|Observatory Hill]] and [[Mahakal Temple (Darjeeling)\|Mahakal Temple]]. Both ends of the Mall Road meet at Chowrasta from the north. There are few other narrow roads and footpaths which terminate and originate at Chowrasta.~~<~~ref name="darjeeling tourism"~~>~~{{Cite web\|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_000013.htm\|title=Darjeeling Mall, Chowrasta\|last=win7\|website=www.darjeeling-tourism.com\|access-date=2018-08-16}}~~<~~/ref~~><~~ref~~>~~{{Cite web\|url=https://tourism.webindia123.com/tourism/hillstations/darjeeling/index.htm\|title=Darjeeling, Hill Station Darjeeling, hill stations in India, Hill Stations in West Bengal, scenic places, tourism\|website=tourism.webindia123.com\|access-date=2018-08-17}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		Although it is closed to all vehicles, Chowrasta is well connected to Darjeeling town and is at an accessible proximity from all parts of the Darjeeling hill range.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.ixigo.com/chowrasta-and-the-mall-darjeeling-india-ne-1652240\|title=chowrasta and the mall - ixigo trip planner!\|website=www.ixigo.com\|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref> Two main road arteries of the town, Nehru Road and Dr Zakir Hussain Road, culminate at Chowrasta and so do the two ends of Mall Road which winds around [[Observatory Hill, Darjeeling\|Observatory Hill]] and [[Mahakal Temple (Darjeeling)\|Mahakal Temple]]. Both ends of the Mall Road meet at Chowrasta from the north. There are few other narrow roads and footpaths which terminate and originate at Chowrasta.<ref name="darjeeling tourism">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_000013.htm\|title=Darjeeling Mall, Chowrasta\|last=win7\|website=www.darjeeling-tourism.com\|access-date=2018-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://tourism.webindia123.com/tourism/hillstations/darjeeling/index.htm\|title=Darjeeling, Hill Station Darjeeling, hill stations in India, Hill Stations in West Bengal, scenic places, tourism\|website=tourism.webindia123.com\|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref>{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	== Social and tourist significance ==		== Social and tourist significance ==
	Chowrasta is the social center of Darjeeling and witnesses many cultural and political activities throughout the year. A few coffee shops and restaurants have grown around it over the years. Activities available include pony rides along the Mall Road.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKbSCQAAQBAJ&~~amp;~~q=chowrasta+altitude&~~amp;~~pg=PA12\|title=Darjeeling Pocket Travel Guide\|last1=Guides\|first1=Bluworlds\|last2=Das\|first2=Joydip\|publisher=Bluworlds Guides\|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		Chowrasta is the social center of Darjeeling and witnesses many cultural and political activities throughout the year. A few coffee shops and restaurants have grown around it over the years. Activities available include pony rides along the Mall Road.<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKbSCQAAQBAJ&q=chowrasta+altitude&pg=PA12\|title=Darjeeling Pocket Travel Guide\|last1=Guides\|first1=Bluworlds\|last2=Das\|first2=Joydip\|publisher=Bluworlds Guides\|language=en}}</ref>{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	== Statues, monuments and developments ==		== Statues, monuments and developments ==
	On the far North of the square stands a golden concrete statue of Nepali poet [[Bhanubhakta Acharya\|Shri Bhanubhakta Acharya]]. Initially, a 'bust above' statue of the Acharya was erected on 17 June 1949 and a full life sized figure was reinstalled on 13 July 1996, commissioned by the [[Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling\|Nepali Sahitya Sammelan]].{{cn\|date=March 2024}} In 2014 a park located behind the statue was developed into a stepped concrete platform for public events.~~<~~ref name="darjeeling tourism" /~~>~~{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		On the far North of the square stands a golden concrete statue of Nepali poet [[Bhanubhakta Acharya\|Shri Bhanubhakta Acharya]]. Initially, a 'bust above' statue of the Acharya was erected on 17 June 1949 and a full life sized figure was reinstalled on 13 July 1996, commissioned by the [[Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling\|Nepali Sahitya Sammelan]].{{cn\|date=March 2024}} In 2014 a park located behind the statue was developed into a stepped concrete platform for public events.<ref name="darjeeling tourism" />{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	Immediately after the entrance from Nehru Road is a water fountain ornamented with concrete golden colored fishes and pelicans, however the fountain is nonoperational.{{cn\|date=March 2024}}		Immediately after the entrance from Nehru Road is a water fountain ornamented with concrete golden colored fishes and pelicans, however the fountain is nonoperational.{{cn\|date=March 2024}}

	The Hawa Ghar (translation: wind house) is a permanent roofed concrete stage-like structure on the east edge of Chowrasta where cultural programs, performances and political speeches take place.~~<~~ref name="darjeeling tourism" /~~>~~{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		The Hawa Ghar (translation: wind house) is a permanent roofed concrete stage-like structure on the east edge of Chowrasta where cultural programs, performances and political speeches take place.<ref name="darjeeling tourism" />{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	[[File:Bhanubhakta statue.JPG\|thumb\|349x349px\|Bhanubhakta statue in Chowrasta]]		[[File:Bhanubhakta statue.JPG\|thumb\|349x349px\|Bhanubhakta statue in Chowrasta]]
	Chaurasta has a pigeon population and feeding them is a popular activity. Their droppings disfigure the Bhanubhakta statue and other stonework; the birds are not considered a health or public hazard.~~<~~ref name="darjeeling tourism" /~~>~~{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}		Chaurasta has a pigeon population and feeding them is a popular activity. Their droppings disfigure the Bhanubhakta statue and other stonework; the birds are not considered a health or public hazard.<ref name="darjeeling tourism" />{{bsn\|date=March 2024}}

	== See also ==		== See also ==
Line 64:		Line 64:
	== External links ==		== External links ==
	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1ozimDLKo Chowrasta video]		* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1ozimDLKo Chowrasta video]
	* [https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/search.php?t=2&~~amp;~~q=Darjeeling&~~amp;~~n=12 Old pictures of Darjeeling]		* [https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/search.php?t=2&q=Darjeeling&n=12 Old pictures of Darjeeling]

	{{Darjeeling}}		{{Darjeeling}}