Day trip from Darjeeling
Kalimpong is located 51km east of Darjeeling and at an elevation of 1,250m. The municipality sits on a ridge overlooking the Teesta River and is a tourist destination owing to its temperate climate and proximity to Darjeeling. Horticulture is important to Kalimpong and it has a flower market notable for its wide array of orchids. It also is the location of some Buddhist monasteries. We started our drive to Kalimpong at 9am in the morning. Our first stop was the Triveni viewpoint.
- Triveni Viewpoint
- Shanti Kunj Nursery
- Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (or Durpin Monastery)
- Tharpa Choling Monastery
- Army Golf Course
Triveni Viewpoint – At Triveni, the river Teesta meets river Rangeet. The folklore says that both the rivers were lovers so the point came to be known as Lover’s point. The Teesta river forms a significant portion of the boundary between the Indian state of West Bengal and Sikkim. This place has become the hub for rafters who come for rafting in the river Teesta.
Shanti Kunj Nursery – Horticulture is important to Kalimpong and it has many nurseries, exporting Himalayan grown flower bulbs, tubers, cacti, and rhizomes worldwide. We visited the Shanti Kunj nursery which exports mainly to Dubai.
Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (or Durpin Monastery) – is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma school founded by Dudjom Rinpoche in 1957 and built where Dudjom Rinpoche settled while in exile from Tibet, atop Durpin Hill and hence also named Durpin Monastery. Dudjom Rinpoche was a towering figure in twentieth-century Tibetan religion – one of the main preservers of the Nyingma tradition in exile and the first Nyingma representative in the exile government. In 1975, Dudjom Rinpoche moved from Kalimpong to Nepal, and the monastery was additionally consecrated in 1976 by the visiting Dalai Lama.
On the day we visited, the monastery was closed. We were not able to see the interior.
Tharpa Choling Monastery – Perched atop a hill in Kalimpong, the Tharpa Choling Monastery is a hidden gem that invites you to experience its tranquil atmosphere and ancient wisdom. As soon as you walk through the sacred corridors of this monastery, a sense of peace descends upon you. Founded centuries ago by Tibetan Buddhist monks, this monastery serves as a haven for reflection, meditation, and enlightenment.
As you step inside its main temple, you will be greeted by exquisite frescoes and artworks depicting Buddhist precepts and principles. The monastery is also home to an extraordinary collection of Thangka paintings depicting varied icons and emblems of Buddhism, which are highly treasured due to their historical importance. The colorful idols of the presiding deity further add to the visual appeal of this beautiful gompa. There is painting of the birth of Buddha – where Queen Maya, Buddha’s mother, grasping a tree branch as the Buddha emerges from her side.
Tharpa Choling Monastery, Museum – The monastery museum is a major attraction as it houses many old scriptures and artifacts showing the visit of the Dalai Lama to this monastery.
Army Golf Course – Located among the hilly terrains of Durpin Dara, lies the 18 hole Army golf course maintained by the Indian Army stationed at Kalimpong. Army officers can be seen playing golf in the early hours of morning.
