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KALIMPONG |
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Kalimpong is the largest of the four
sub-divisions of the District of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill
Council, an autonomous body within the State of West Bengal.
Kalimpong lies between the plains of the Dooars and the
hills of Darjeeling – Sikkim Himalayas. It is 50 kms from
Darjeeling and 65 kms away from Siliguri.
Kalimpong town & the surrounding area, with its ideal
location at an average of 4000 ft./1200 mtrs above mean sea
level provides mild weather conditions throughout the year.
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The Kalimpong region was once a part of
the Kingdom of Bhutan. In 1865, after loosing out to an
armed British intervention, Bhutan ceded the territory of
Kalimpong to British India. As Tea gardens opened up in
nearby Darjeeling people from Nepal migrated in search of
livelihood. Some spilled over to Kalimpong. The British
missionaries came in during the late 1800’s & left a legacy
of good schools, high educational standards, charitable
Institutions & architectural styles reminiscent of the
English countryside. People from mainland India came in to
settle in Kalimpong & brought with them their skills in
entrepreneurship & trade. Over the years Kalimpong slowly
developed into a trading center from which all trade to &
from Tibet passed. This continued till the mid sixties when
Tibet ceased to exist as an independent nation & the mule
trains wound up.
Our advice is to take a day off for walking and visiting the
local market which is known popularly in this region for its
local handicraft item shops which sells Buddhist Thankas,
hand beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lanterns,
copperware, hand stitched clothing, local cheddar-type
cheese and lollypops
Popular spots are situated within Kalimpong sub-division and
are well connected by road from Kalimpong town to Gangtok,
Darjeeling & West Bengal. |
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Sight
Seeing Around Kalimpong
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DEOLO HILL: The highest point
within Kalimpong municipality area (elevation approximately
1650 mtrs) that provides a 360-degree panoramic view. The
Khanchendzonga massif is to the north, beyond the hills of
Sikkim that rise from the river valleys. A fantastic
bird’s-eye-view of Kalimpong town & Durpian hill can be had
from here. There is a Hotel here with a regular restaurant
catering to visitors. Children can avail of pony rides here.
One can spend several hours at this spot picnicking or just
lazing out & soaking in the view & pure mountain air. |
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DR. GRAHAM’S HOME: Dr. John A.
Graham, a Scottish missionary founded this Institute in
1900. This Institution built on Deolo Hill north of the main
township was established as an orphanage-cum-school for
destitute Anglo-Indian children. It is now a renowned
regular co-educational school situated in a 500-acre campus. |
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DURPIN MONASTERY: A Tibetan temple
belonging to the Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism. Just enroute
to the Durpin monastery lays the Army Golf course, a
nine-hole golf course overlooking beautiful views of the
mountains. Visitors can play a round of golf here by paying
a special fee. |
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MANGALDHAM: Mangaldham,
constructed in memory of the late Guru Shree (108) Mangal
Dasji & dedicated to Lord Krishna. Devotees, especially of
the Pranami Dharma, come here from far away places. |
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PINE VIEW NURSERY: where one can
marvel at the cacti & succulents and many other flowering
plants. |
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LAVA
34 kms away from Kalimpong, Lava at a height of 7 , 755
ft. is a small hamlet, hidden in the mist & cloud all
through the year. Most of the proposed treks in & around
Kalimpong start from Lava. The most interesting place in
Lava is virgin Neora Valey. One can also visit Lava
monastery, Neora Reservoir lake, Silviculture Research
Centre ( for Himalayan medicinal plants) & Nature
Interpretation Centre ( for local flora & fauna). |
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LAVA LOLAY GAON
Whole day Excursion to Lava with a visit to the Tibetan
monastery at Lava and a drive to Lolaygaon, a hamlet
situated at 55 kms from Kalimpong, where you can walk among
the treetops on a specially built tree top pathway. Late
evening drive back to Kalimpong or stay overnight at Lava
Lolay Gaon.
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RISHYAP
10 km rough jeep drive from lava is this small Lepcha
Village situated at a heigh of 8, 500 ft. Rishyap means
“lofty cliff of forest of ancients trees” in Lepcha
language. Snow capped mountain peaks, dense evergreen
forest, terraced agricultural field are the part of Rishyap.
This is a newly discovered place for tourists. |
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