rail · Ghum, Darjeeling
Batasia Loop at first light
Batasia Loop lies about 5 km from Darjeeling, just below Ghum. The line circles a small hill in a full spiral and passes over itself, a solution the railway adopted in 1919 to ease the steep fall from Ghum. The garden inside the loop is laid out with paths and flower beds and is well kept by the railway.
At the centre stands the Gorkha War Memorial, raised to honour Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army who died in the country's service. A bronze soldier stands on a stepped base, with names and inscriptions around it. Many visitors from the hills come here to pay respects, so be quiet near the memorial.
Come at first light, ideally on the way back from Tiger Hill. On clear mornings from October to April, Kangchenjunga rises behind the memorial and Darjeeling's ridge spreads to the right. Wait for a train if you can: watching it curve round and climb the loop is the best part. Stalls by the gate sell woollens, tea and snacks.
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What is the entry fee for Batasia Loop
About ₹20–50 per person, indicative 2026, paid at the gate. Joyride passengers enter during the train's stop. The garden opens early, usually around sunrise, so you can visit after Tiger Hill. Check current status before you travel, as fees change.
Why was Batasia Loop built
The drop from Ghum, the line's summit, into Darjeeling was too steep, so in 1919 the railway built a spiral loop where the track circles a hill and passes over itself. This lengthens the route and eases the gradient. It is now one of the most photographed spots on the line.
What is the Gorkha War Memorial at Batasia
It is a memorial inside Batasia Loop to Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army who died in service. A bronze statue of a soldier stands on a stepped base. Treat it as a place of remembrance: keep your voice down and do not climb on the base for photos.
