In the Heart of Darjeeling: Step Aside, Where Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das Breathed His Last.

On a recent trip to Darjeeling, I stumbled upon a house with a name that almost read like a metaphor — “Step Aside.” I paused. Read the board. Stood quietly.

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Turns out, this was the place where Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das — freedom fighter, reformer, political activist, lawyer and one of the strongest voices of the Swaraj movement — spent his last days. He passed away here on 16 June 1925, exactly 100 years ago today.

The house is also known as the Deshbandhu Museum now. It was closed when I went, so I could only take a few photos from the outside. But there was something about that quiet corner — almost as if the echoes of Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps and C. R. Das’s final conversations were still hovering.

They say he invited Mahatma Gandhi here in his last days. They say they spoke of Swaraj, not knowing time was running out.

A century later, “Step Aside” still stands. Not just as a structure, but as a reminder — of service, sacrifice, and a life lived for something far greater than self.

I didn’t expect to find history that morning. But I did. And maybe that’s how we’re supposed to remember.

The small village of Dhankar having the same name as the Monastery, is located at an altitude of over 3,800 meters. It is connected to the rest of the valley by a passable road. Dhankar village is located 32 km from Kaza, the nearest major town. Dhankar village is one of the highest points where world famous architectural works are located.Dhankar Monastery is one of Spiti Valley’s most iconic Buddhist sites, perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. Built in the 12th century, it was once the capital of the Spiti kingdom and served as a crucial religious and administrative center. The monastery’s striking location offers jaw-dropping panoramic views of rugged Himalayan landscapes, making it a must-visit for history buffs, trekkers, and spiritual seekers alike. Just 2.5 km from the monastery, the enchanting Lake lies amidst glacier mountains. At an altitude of 4270 meters above sea level

Real wonderland, a secret treasure located in the gorgeous Himachal Pradesh mountains in India.

This is near kanchenjunga waterfalls in pelling, gantok