Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an adventurous escapade, these places in Kalimpong has everything at something for every kind of traveler. Thrilling and heavenly, a trip to Kalimpong is a sublime experience. This old little town, nestled away in the far northeast, is a visual delight and should be high on your bucket list if you love the hills. And the long list of places to visit in Kalimpong ensures that you have ample options of sightseeing.
Deollo: Deolo Hill is one of the two hills that the town of Kalimpong stands between. Kalimpong is situated on a ridge connecting the two hills, Durpin and Deolo. The hill is 1,704 metres and is the highest point of Kalimpong town. Guest House & a garden with view point is in the north east of the town. Three water reservoirs, two of which serve as the primary drinking water source to the town are present atop this hill. The town of Kalimpong, the surrounding villages of Relli valley, Teesta River and its valleys all can be viewed from this point.
Tharpa Choling Monastery: Tharpa Choling Monastery is a Gelugpa monastery situated at the hilltop in Kalimpong, India. The monastery was founded by Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang in 1912. History says that Domo Geshe Rinpoche lived in Kalimpong in 1906 when he came to India for pilgrimage and to collect medicinal plants from India, Nepal and Bhutan. At the request of the Tibetan merchants and some Bhutanese leaders living in Kalimpong to establish a monastery there, Rinpoche instituted this monastery.
Thongsa Gompa: A short distance below the junction of R C Mintri and Rishi Road is this charming Nyingmapa-school monastery, also known as the Bhutanese Monastery. The gompa was founded in 1678, but the present main building, surrounded by 220 small prayer wheels, was built in the 19th century after the Gorkhas rampaged across SikkimAlso known as the Bhutanese monastery, Thongsa Gompa should definitely be on your Kalimpong sightseeing list. It is the oldest monastery in the area and boasts of a serene and spiritual ambiance.Things to do: Tourists can attend the prayer services that the monks carry out. Fact: Thongsa Gompa has 219 prayer wheels, unlike the usual 108 at most other monasteries.
Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery: Located atop Durpin Hill, the Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery was established in 1970 and consecrated by His Holiness Dalai Lama six years later. Visit this place for its striking architecture and a splendid view from the Durpin Hill. The monastery houses many rare scriptures that were brought into India after the invasion of Tibet in 1959. It also houses Shivang Gupta the 108 volumes of the Kangyur.
Mangal Dham Temple: Built over an area of two acres, the Mangal Dham Temple is among the popular tourist places in Kalimpong. The prayer hall of the temple is on the upper floor, as on the ground floor lies the samadhi of Guruji Shri Mangaldas Ji. The many paintings in the temple depict various scenes from Krishna Leela. It is a well-maintained temple and the religious tourists mostly flock to this place. In the year 1940 guru Managaldas ji had come to Kalimpong. He was so fascinated with this town that he decided to serve the deprived and needy people. He did this through constructing several schools, orphanage and temples
Hanuman Temple: Hanuman Temple is a temple lying upon a hill top in the region surrounding Deolo in Kalimpong. The temple has a gigantic statue of Lord Hanuman elevated to height of approximately 30 feet. A small Durga temple is also present adjacent to it near the entrance. You need to climb a set of stairs to reach the Hanuman statue which is the tallest in northeast India. It is also a view point for tourists.
Lava: It is a small hamlet situated 34 kilometres east of the town of Kalimpong. Lava is situated at an altitude of 7,016 feet. It is one of the few places in West Bengal to receive snow in winter. It is the entry point to the Neora Valley National Park from Kalimpong. The route to Lava is scenic with the change in vegetation from tropical deciduous to the wet alpine trees of fir, pine and birch. The verdant forests are a popular spot for picnicking, trekking and bird-watching. Lava has gradually become a favorite tourist destination.
Pedong: Pedong is 21 kilometers east of Kalimpong on the way to Lava at an altitude of 1,240 metres. The town, which is located on a ridge, commands a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan mountains. The town is divided into two parts, Upper Pedong and Lower Pedong. Pedong lies on the historic Silk Road that connects India to Lhasa via the Jelepla Pass. Near Pedong are the ruins of Damsang Gadi, a historical fort built in 1690 AD by the Lepchas. It was at the centre of the long-standing feud with the Dukpas of Bhutan
Pabong: Perched on a mountain slope at 4700 feet and surrounded by the deep and dense Neora Valley Forest, Pabong enjoys one of the best views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Few kilometers from the popular tourist spots of Loleygaon and Charkhol, this tranquil village of Pabong has somehow escaped the clutches of commercialisation and mass tourism. Here, you can trek along the Neora forest and enjoy bird watching, take village walks along the terraced paddy fields and spend the quite evenings watching the lights of Kalimpong flickering in the horizon
Charkhol: Charkhole is an offbeat destination where the nature welcomes with its abundant beauties and varieties. It’s a very small village on the hilltop near Kalimpong. Located at an altitude of 5500 feet. Neora Valley National Park covers the place with lush green forest with the trees of towering Pine, Oak, Shal, Cypress, Rhododendron etc. CIt is one of the most favourite destinations for bird watchers.Charkhole is a place of serenity. Walking leisurely in and around the village and to watch the lifestyle of the villagers along with enjoying the spellbound natural beauty. A further walking inside to Neora Valley forest is enthralling.
Samthar: Far from the modern civilization, far from city pollutions is a small village Samthar tucked away deep inside the remote part of Kalimpong hills. At a distance of 80 kilometers from the Kalimpong town via Lava and Loleygaon the Samthar village is a unique natural resort where nature opens wide with a majestic landscape. The undulating hill slopes, interlocking valleys covered with lush green forests, numerous small and medium streams cutting across the valley to reach the distant plains, terraced agricultural lands, thatched cottages, hospitable Lepcha community all combine together to mark the landscape of Samtahar.
Ramdhura: Ramdhura, surrounded by the dense emerald forest of pine trees is a new found offbeat destination in North Bengal. Ramdhura is a serene hamlet located at a 15 kilometers distance from Kalimpong. Perched at an attitude of 5000 feet Ramdhura offers an unhindered view of Mt Kanchenjunga. The untainted beauty of Ramdhura has captivated the mind of many travelers. The scenically blessed hamlet derived its name from the native language where the word “Ram” stands for the name of a Hindu God and “Dhura” for village. Far from the rambunctious city life the serene ambiance and pictorial view has made Ramdhura a place to find solace.
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