777-B Returns: Darjeeling’s Nostalgic Surprise This Durga Puja - GetBengal Story
Durga Puja is the largest festival for Bengalis. It is the time of year for which everyone has been waiting. The celebrations consist of happiness, decorations, pandals, food, shopping, and holidays. For Bengalis, Puja is not just a festival, but also an emotion. Family and friends reunite. Some people remain in town to enjoy the pandals and celebrations. Others national holidays to travel. They travel to different places in India, and even abroad, to take a break from a daily routine. Of all the travel destinations, Darjeeling has been one of the popular ones.
Darjeeling, affectionately referred to as "Queen of Hills," has an attraction that comes from a heart of delights and feels especially special to the Bengali heart. The cool wind in the air, the misty hills, the view of the beautiful Kanchenjunga, and its old-world charm make it feel special. Every year, different families plan their Puja holidays in Darjeeling; it has the ideal combination of relaxation, sightseeing, and nostalgia. This year, Darjeeling has decided to unveil a little something extra memorable to the unique Puja season.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has made a remarkable announcement. The historic 777-B steam engine will soon return to service on its tracks. The steam engine is nearly 130 years old. For many decades, it carried passengers through the hills until it was retired and put into storage. This steam engine will be returning to service this year and will again carry tourists through the mountains.
For a number of riders, this is not only a train ride. It is an emotional journey. The whistle from the steam engine, the fragrance of the smoke mingled with the mountain fog, and the gradual ride on the gentle curves in the track all evoke a sense of history and a realized sense of time. It is a reminder of a period when train rides were slower, but richer in history. The return of the 777-B is not just for travel. It is about childhood memories, family holidays, and heritage.
Durga Puja is undeniably the most beautiful time of year. It is about looking for happiness, safety, and being together. Reintroducing the steam engine in Darjeeling has added another level of happiness to this occasion. The hills have brought people the gift of nostalgia. A gift way beyond joy, it is cultural, emotional, and deep-rooted in memory.
As the 777-B steam engine rolls out once again, more than passengers will be aboard. It will carry memories, recollections, and dreams; the laughter of kids and families, the excitement of children, or even those in quiet joy simply watching the mountains roll by.
This Puja, Darjeeling is way more than a destination. It is a reminder of festival times beyond lights and pandals; memories of journeys, little things, and attachments that stay with us forever.
