KALIMPONG State of West Bengal - India House, London estled in the lower Himalayas at an altitude of...
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N estled in the lower Himalayas at an altitude of 1,250 m in the eastern Indian state of Bengal is Kalimpong, a hill town that was developed by the British as an alternative summer getaway to Darjeel- ing. Kalimpong, which falls under the Dar- jeeling district, has evolved into a major tourist destination thanks mainly to its tem- perate climate. Besides, there is plenty to see in and around Kalimpong for the aesthetical- ly inclined as well as those looking for adven- ture. The snow-clad Himalayan ranges serve as an enchanting backdrop to the town that holds a number of important Buddhist monasteries with rare Tibetan Buddhist man- uscripts besides many edifices from the colo- nial era. World's third tallest peak Mount Kanchenjunga (8,591 m) is clearly visible from Kalimpong, which is also famous for its large variety of rare orchids. The town is also the starting point for several 4-7 day treks. Attractions Kalimpong Arts and Craft Centre: Located within a walking distance from middle of the town is the Kalimpong Arts and Craft Cen- tre, which is famous for its handicrafts such as tapestry bags, purses, pictorial wall pan- els, screens, embroidered bags and scrolls, and much more. The centre was founded by the Scottish missionaries in 1897. Dr. Graham’s Home: The town bears the imprint of its Scottish founders who went on to set up some great schools in the area, including the famous Dr. Graham's Home, which was established by Rev J.A. Graham initially as an orphanage-cum-school called St. Andrew's Colonial and Industrial Settle- ment. Dr. Graham's Home is located on Deolo Hill and comprises nearly 50 cot- tages now. Tibetan monasteries: En route to Dr. Graham’s Home are two Tibetan monaster- ies: Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai, which belongs to the Yellow-Hat-Sect of lamas or Gelugpa Sect of the Dalai Lama; new Buddhist Monastery or Zang-dog Pal- rifo Brang, completed in 1975, which is on Durpin Dara Hill. In 1956 during a visit to Kalimpong, the Dalai Lama presented a set of rare manuscripts or “Kangyur” of 108 volumes to Durpin Dara Monastery. Gouripur House: Situated about 2 km from Kalimpong is Gouripur House, which has been made famous by the fact that the great Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore, used to stay here during his visits to Kalimpong and wrote many of his poems. Durpin Dara: Durpin, meaning “binocu- lars”, is a popular view point of Kalimpong and is located at an altitude of 1,402 metres. From here can be seen the entire Chola Range of Sikkim, the Jelep La Pass, the Kanchenjunga Range and the Tiger Hill. Darmodaya Vihar: This is a temple as well as the abode of the Nepalese Bud- dhists. The idol of Buddha in the temple was presented by the Buddhists of Burma. The temple is run and maintained by the members of Kalimpong Dharmodaya Sabha. Lava: Located on a pass on the old trade route to Bhutan, at an altitude of 2,000 m above sea level and about 35 km from Kalimpong is Lava, a small hamlet sur- rounded by virgin forests and ideal for nature exploration, bird watching and for viewing orchids in their natural habitat. It is also the base for exploring the Neora Val- ley upto the 3,152 m high Rachela Pass that divides Sikkim and Bhutan. Treks to Samthar plateau also start from here. Gitdabling-Budhabare: Famous for its weekly bazaar, Gitadabling in the Git River valley, is endowed with scenic countrysides, forests and streams. Here one can see ter- race cultivation and old style homesteads. Lolegaon-Kafer: This places is endowed with forests and exotic flora, and offers unusual serenity and a sunrise view of Jhan- di Dara which rivals the view from Tiger Hill. Samco Ropeway: Located 20 km from Kalimpong on the highway to Siliguri, this ropeway was constructed by Christian mis- sionaries to open up the remote Samthar Suruk region with its predominent Lepcha population. The ropeway spans 1.5 km over both the Teesta and Relli rivers. Samthar Plateau: Located 80 km south of Kalimpong at an altitude of 1,400 m, Samthar Plateau is a great place for a quiet holiday. It offers panaromic views of the snow ranges stretching from Kanchenjunga in the west to Gymochen in the east. Besides, one can glimpse the unique lifestyle and culture of its Nepalese, Bhutias and Lepchas population. June 1, 2006 Page 8 Printed and Published by the Press Office, High Commission of India, India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA. Tel: 0207 836 8484. Fax: 0207 632 3191. Email: [email protected] Website: www.hcilondon.net How to reach By Air: Nearest airport is at Bagdogra, about 80 km away. By Rail: Main railhead is at New Jalpaig- uri, about 77 km away. By Road: Well-connected by road from Siliguri and other important cities. Climate Winter: Maximum temperature is 15 degrees Celsius, minimum is 7 degree Celsius. Summer: Maximum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius; minimum is 15 degrees. Best time to visit: March-June and Sep- tember-December. Where to stay Morgan House Tourist Tashiding Tourist Lodge Himalayan Hotel Hotel Silver Oaks Hotel Kalimpong Park Delo Tourist Logde JP Lodge For more on India tourism, visit: www.wbtourism.com www.hcilondon.net www.tourindia.com www.tourismofindia.com Overview of Kalimpong Focus: West Bengal TOURIST INFORMATION Disclaimer: India Digest gathers its contents from diverse sources and the views expressed in interviews and articles published do not necessarily represent the views of the High Commission or the Government of India. KALIMPONG KALIMPONG State of West Bengal Durpin Monastery
Transcript of KALIMPONG State of West Bengal - India House, London estled in the lower Himalayas at an altitude of...
Nestled in the lower Himalayas at analtitude of 1,250 m in the easternIndian state of Bengal is Kalimpong,
a hill town that was developed by the Britishas an alternative summer getaway to Darjeel-ing. Kalimpong, which falls under the Dar-jeeling district, has evolved into a majortourist destination thanks mainly to its tem-perate climate. Besides, there is plenty to seein and around Kalimpong for the aesthetical-ly inclined as well as those looking for adven-ture. The snow-clad Himalayan ranges serveas an enchanting backdrop to the town thatholds a number of important Buddhistmonasteries with rare Tibetan Buddhist man-uscripts besides many edifices from the colo-nial era. World's third tallest peak MountKanchenjunga (8,591 m) is clearly visiblefrom Kalimpong, which is also famous for itslarge variety of rare orchids. The town is alsothe starting point for several 4-7 day treks.
AAttttrraaccttiioonnss
KKaalliimmppoonngg AArrttss aanndd CCrraafftt CCeennttrree:: Locatedwithin a walking distance from middle of thetown is the Kalimpong Arts and Craft Cen-tre, which is famous for its handicrafts suchas tapestry bags, purses, pictorial wall pan-els, screens, embroidered bags and scrolls,and much more. The centre was founded by
the Scottish missionaries in 1897.DDrr.. GGrraahhaamm’’ss HHoommee:: The town bears the
imprint of its Scottish founders who wenton to set up some great schools in the area,including the famous Dr. Graham's Home,which was established by Rev J.A. Grahaminitially as an orphanage-cum-school calledSt. Andrew's Colonial and Industrial Settle-ment. Dr. Graham's Home is located onDeolo Hill and comprises nearly 50 cot-tages now.
TTiibbeettaann mmoonnaasstteerriieess:: En route to Dr.Graham’s Home are two Tibetan monaster-ies: Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai,which belongs to the Yellow-Hat-Sect oflamas or Gelugpa Sect of the Dalai Lama;new Buddhist Monastery or Zang-dog Pal-rifo Brang, completed in 1975, which is onDurpin Dara Hill. In 1956 during a visit toKalimpong, the Dalai Lama presented a setof rare manuscripts or “Kangyur” of 108volumes to Durpin Dara Monastery.
GGoouurriippuurr HHoouussee:: Situated about 2 kmfrom Kalimpong is Gouripur House, whichhas been made famous by the fact that thegreat Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore,used to stay here during his visits toKalimpong and wrote many of his poems.
DDuurrppiinn DDaarraa:: Durpin, meaning “binocu-lars”, is a popular view point of Kalimpongand is located at an altitude of 1,402
metres. From here can be seen the entireChola Range of Sikkim, the Jelep La Pass,the Kanchenjunga Range and the Tiger Hill.
DDaarrmmooddaayyaa VViihhaarr:: This is a temple aswell as the abode of the Nepalese Bud-dhists. The idol of Buddha in the templewas presented by the Buddhists of Burma.The temple is run and maintained by themembers of Kalimpong Dharmodaya Sabha.
LLaavvaa:: Located on a pass on the old traderoute to Bhutan, at an altitude of 2,000 mabove sea level and about 35 km fromKalimpong is Lava, a small hamlet sur-rounded by virgin forests and ideal fornature exploration, bird watching and forviewing orchids in their natural habitat. It isalso the base for exploring the Neora Val-ley upto the 3,152 m high Rachela Pass thatdivides Sikkim and Bhutan. Treks toSamthar plateau also start from here.
GGiittddaabblliinngg--BBuuddhhaabbaarree:: Famous for itsweekly bazaar, Gitadabling in the Git Rivervalley, is endowed with scenic countrysides,forests and streams. Here one can see ter-race cultivation and old style homesteads.
LLoolleeggaaoonn--KKaaffeerr:: This places is endowedwith forests and exotic flora, and offersunusual serenity and a sunrise view of Jhan-di Dara which rivals the view from Tiger Hill.
SSaammccoo RRooppeewwaayy:: Located 20 km fromKalimpong on the highway to Siliguri, this
ropeway was constructed by Christian mis-sionaries to open up the remote SamtharSuruk region with its predominent Lepchapopulation. The ropeway spans 1.5 km overboth the Teesta and Relli rivers.
SSaammtthhaarr PPllaatteeaauu:: Located 80 km south ofKalimpong at an altitude of 1,400 m,Samthar Plateau is a great place for a quietholiday. It offers panaromic views of thesnow ranges stretching from Kanchenjungain the west to Gymochen in the east.Besides, one can glimpse the uniquelifestyle and culture of its Nepalese,Bhutias and Lepchas population.
June 1, 2006Page 8
Printed and Published by the Press Office, High Commission of India, India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA. Tel: 0207 836 8484. Fax: 0207 632 3191. Email: [email protected] Website: www.hcilondon.net
HHooww ttoo rreeaacchh
BByy AAiirr:: Nearest airport is at Bagdogra,about 80 km away.
BByy RRaaiill:: Main railhead is at New Jalpaig-uri, about 77 km away.
BByy RRooaadd:: Well-connected by road fromSiliguri and other important cities.
CClliimmaattee
WWiinntteerr:: Maximum temperature is 15 degreesCelsius, minimum is 7 degree Celsius.SSuummmmeerr:: Maximum temperature is 25degrees Celsius; minimum is 15 degrees.BBeesstt ttiimmee ttoo vviissiitt:: March-June and Sep-tember-December.
WWhheerree ttoo ssttaayy
Morgan House TouristTashiding Tourist LodgeHimalayan HotelHotel Silver OaksHotel Kalimpong ParkDelo Tourist LogdeJP Lodge
FFoorr mmoorree oonn IInnddiiaa ttoouurriissmm,, vviissiitt:: wwwwww..wwbbttoouurriissmm..ccoomm
wwwwww..hhcciilloonnddoonn..nneettwwwwww..ttoouurriinnddiiaa..ccoomm
wwwwww..ttoouurriissmmooffiinnddiiaa..ccoomm
Overview of Kalimpong
Focus:West Bengal
TOURIST INFORMATION
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KALIMPONGKALIMPONG State of West Bengal
Durpin Monastery
