RAILWAY : DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY (DHR) WEEKEND WALK TO MARK 100 YEARS OF MAHATMA GANDHI’S VISIT TO DARJEELING

(Starting on 5th October, 2025 from Darjeeling Railway Station.)

TTT NEWS NETWORK

DARJEELING | 2 OCTOBER 2025

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, has organised  weekend walk to mark the 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Darjeeling , starting on 5 October 2025 from Darjeeling railway Station, said Mr. Rishav Choudhary, Director of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

The background:

Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Darjeeling to see Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das is a poignant chapter in India’s freedom struggle. In June 1925, Gandhi traveled to Darjeeling to meet Das, who was ailing and staying at “Step Aside,” a house owned by Sir N.N. Sircar, a close friend of Das.

Das, also known as “Deshbandhu,” translates to “Friend of the Nation,” was a prominent leader, lawyer, and poet who played a crucial role in India’s independence movement. He was the founder-leader of the Swaraj Party in undivided India and a key figure in the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Gandhi stayed with Das at Step Aside from June 4 to 9, 1925, and the two leaders had in-depth conversations about future plans for the Congress and Swaraj Parties. Das also learned spinning from Gandhi during this visit.
Tragically, Das’s health took a turn for the worse, and he passed away on June 16, 1925, just a few days after Gandhi’s visit. Gandhi led the funeral procession in Calcutta, praising Das as “one of the greatest of men” who dreamed and worked tirelessly for India’s freedom.

The dates:

5th Oct. 8am: Darjeeling to Ghoom.

11th Oct. 8am.
Ghoom to Sonada.
12th Oct. 8am.
Sonada to Tung.

18th Oct. 8am.
Tung to Kurseong.
19th Oct. 8am.
Kurseong to Mahanandi.

25th Oct. 8am.
Mahanadi to Gayabari.
26th Oct. 8am.
Gayabari to Tindharia.

1st Nov. 8am.
Tindharia to Rongtong.
2nd Nov. 8am.
Rongtong to Sukna.

8th Nov. 8 am.
Sukna to Siliguri Jn.
9th Nov. 8 am.
Siliguri Jn to Siliguri Town.

ABOUT DHR:

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), or Toy Train, is a 610 mm gauge narrow-gauge railway in India’s West Bengal state, famous for its engineering achievements and UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1999. Built between 1879 and 1881, it connects the town of Darjeeling to the railhead at New Jalpaiguri. The iconic steam engine-powered train offers scenic views of the mountains and is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists.