Buddhist Monastery

Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are the best tourist attractions in Darjeeling. Yiga Choeling Buddhist Monastery, Bhutia Busti Monastery, Tamang Monastery, Ghum Monastery, and Dali monastery are some of the best-known tourist spots in Darjeeling.

Dali Monastery, also known as Drukpa Kargyad monastery, is the place where Drukchen Rimpoche lives. Out of these Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, Yiga Choeling (Old Ghum) Buddhist monastery was built in the year 1875 and is considered as the oldest one.

Lets explore the prominence, architecture, and history of all these Tibetan monasteries in Darjeeling.

Yiga Choeling (Old Ghum) Monastery in Darjeeling

The Old Ghum Monastery or prominently YigaChoeling Monastery is one of the oldest and major monasteries in the Darjeeling area. As per the architecture is concerned it is a masterpiece, designed with rich representation and remarkable symmetry.

History

This monastery was built in 1850 and belongs to the Gelugpa. In 1959, the Chinese business forced several high ranking lamas to escape Tibet and reside in India. Many Buddhists then seized shelter in the YigaChoeling Monastery. Hence, it is a very exceptional place for this reason.

Whats so special about it?

One of the prime attractions is a great 15-foot model statue of Lord Buddha. This stupa is also known as the Maitreya Buddha -The Coming Buddha. Travelers typically skip the Old Ghum Monastery and opt for the Ghum Monastery in its place. Because of this, you may have a more intimate experience with the place. A conversation with one of the monks there is also possible. You can easily learn more about their story and daily routine with a nice talk.

Bhutia Busti Monastery in Darjeeling

Seeing the history of all Darjeelings monasteries, BhutiaBusti has conceivably the most tumultuous one. Traversing about 250 years, the several buildings and locations of BhutiaBusti have confronted numerous difficulties, though endures existing in good until this day. The original location of BhutiaBusti restored on Observatory Hill, where the Mahakal Temple is situated today.

History

It was built in 1761 by Lama DorjeRinzing. Considering its origin on Observatory Hill, BhutiaBusti is the ancient monastery in Darjeeling. Unluckily, the monastery was destroyed during the 1815 Gorkha Attack. It was reconstructed in 1861 but due to some difficulties, it was moved to its present location 18 years later in 1879. Again, this monastery was devastated in 1934 due to a strong earthquake. It was reassembled shortly afterward and has opportunely maintained its structure since then.

Special attraction

Only a few permanent monks live there, so if you visit you may get a chance to talk one on one with the head monk!

Tamang Monastery in Darjeeling

Tamang Monastery is known to very few, but it is an extraordinary monastery in the south of Darjeeling. It is said to be the ancient monastery of the Tamang ethnic group. The elaborately designed monastery attracts both local as well as international divine seekers to gain acquaintance about the spiritual teachings of the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.

What is so special about it?

Have some moments of self-reflection here. The strong sense of peace here is most memorable. Find some inner peace at the Tamang Monastery. This is a beautiful monastery lying on a scenic hill nearby Mirik, with incredible Mountain View. You can see Kanchenjunga (8586 meters/28,169 feet), the third-highest peak in the world from here.

Best time to visit Tibetan Buddhist monastery

The best time to visit this Monastery is during the fall and spring when the skies are the clearest and the flowers are the brightest.

Ghum Monastery in Darjeeling

The attractive Ghum Monastery is a pleasant little place with splendid views on all sides.

History

The monastery was built in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso. He was the head of the monastery until 1905. Ghum, and not the Old Ghum Monastery, is located almost 7 kilometers outside of Darjeeling on the way to/from Tiger Hill.

Best time to visit

Make it to the monastery in the spring season and of course early in the morning to receive blessings before you make the ascent to Tiger Hill and see one of the most majestic views of your lifetime.

Special attractions there

Also, there is a small café on the premises that open early in the morning for coffee, tea, biscuits, and light vegetarian snacks. After listening to the monks pray, climb up some stairs to an open roof of a single-story building and be amazed at the view. See the awe-inspiring Kanchenjunga ahead of you and the expansive valleys below.

Dali monastery Darjeeling

Dali Monastery is a massive monastic community that sits about 5 kilometers from Darjeeling. Dali Monastery (also known as Druk Sangag Choling Monastery, houses some 200 monks and monks-to-be. It is perched atop a hill with a sprawling view and one of the most favored tourist spots in all of Darjeeling for several reasons. After stepping through the gate and climbing up the stairs, you immediately feel a sense of peace come over you. Any enchanting peace lover must experience this for yourself. Become enchanted by the elaborate Tibetan architecture, characterized by rich symbolism and natural pigments of red, green, blue and green.