Kalimpong
KALIMPONG TRAVEL GUIDE
Kalimpong, town, extreme northern West Bengal state, northeastern India. It lies in a valley amid rugged mountains, just east of the Tista River.
The town, a hill station in the Siwalik (Shiwalik) Range, is linked by road with Darjiling (Darjeeling), Siliguri, and Baghdogra and is the terminus of the mule trade route from Tibet (China). It has a large bazaar and conducts a brisk trade in raw wool. Kalimpong holds an annual agricultural produce and stock fair and is well known for its handicrafts (especially weaving). The town has a hospital, an arts-and-crafts training centre, and a college affiliated with the University of North Bengal. Pop. (2001) 42,998; (2011) 49,403.
Gangtok has a little of everything – culture, nature, entertainment and food. Explore Tibetan monasteries to delve into the rich Tibetan culture which permeates festivals, music, food, architecture and the lives of the local people. A walk around the monasteries gives a peep into a different lifestyle. Young monks clad in red robes, learning subjects of the mind and soul, learning arts and sciences along with meditation, are a reminder of a way of a life lives without hassle. On the other hand, beats of Nepali, Hindi and English rock in the alleys and eateries bear testimony to the North east as the cradle for the country’s rock music culture. For those who love Tibetan food, Gangtok is a delight. Momos, Noodles, Thukpa and other local dishes are readily available all over the city and will leave little room for complaint. Nepalis by nature are food lovers, and they ensure that the travellers receive a grand gastronomical experience.
Apart from sightseeing in Gangtok, travellers also take day trips around Gangtok or travel to other parts of Sikkim.
DELO PARK
Perhaps the peak of Kalimpong sightseeing is the beautiful Deolo Hill. Stand on the highest point in town and feel like you are on top of the world. You can have the first meal of your day in the breakfast lodge situated in the vicinity and stroll in the lavish 8-acre park founded by the tourism department. Apart from the view that the hill offers, if you are a thrill-seeker, be sure to experience paragliding, trekking, and horse riding on this hill.
PINE VIEW NURSERY
Also known as the Kalimpong Cactus Nursery, it houses a wide gamut of cacti and orchids. Something that had started off as passion turned into one of the booming Kalimpong tourist places. What will surely catch your attention are 1500 species of cacti spread over 2 acres of land and the natural beauty all around the nursery. Just make sure not to get too close to the thorns and you will be good to go.
MANGAL DHAM TEMPLE
At a distance of 1 km from Kalimpong Bus Station, Mangal Dham is a Hindu temple located in Kalimpong of West Bengal. Situated close to Thongsa Gompa, it is one of the most significant religious centers in West Bengal and among the must visit places in Kalimpong.
Mangal Dham was built in 1993 by Shri Krishna Pranami in the divine memory of late guru Shri Mangaldasji. In 1940, Guruji Shri Mangal Dasji Maharaj visited Kalimpong. The visit had a profound impact on him. He decided to realize his divine dreams of serving the poor and needy in Kalimpong. He built many orphanages, schools and temples.
DR. GRAHAM’S HOMES SCHOOL
Dr. Graham’s Homes (formerly St. Andrew’s Colonial Homes) was founded in 1900 by John Anderson Graham, a missionary of the Church of Scotland, who settled in Kalimpong and worked with the local community for several years during the turn of the 20th century. Whilst working in Edinburgh as a clerk in the civil service, Graham was influenced and encouraged by the minister of his church, John McMurtrie, to be ordained in the ministry.
MORGAN HOUSE
Many people have the wish to visit a haunted mansion. If you are one of them, the Morgan house is here to fulfil all your fantasies! It is certainly one of the places to see near Kalimpong. Surrounded by stories of the place being haunted, this spectacular colonial lodge allows you to have the best of comfort. Apart from the old charm of the structure, you get to see unending hills, mesmerising sunsets, and the picturesque beauty of nature. And, if you do get to hear the faint footsteps on the wooden floors, be rest assured it is Mrs Morgan checking in to make sure your stay is comfortable (just kidding)!
DURPIN MONASTERY
Durpin Monastery holds an important religious significance owing to sacred Kangyur kept inside the monastery. Consisting of 108 volumes, all these were carried by Dalai Lama during his exile. Some of the rare documents related with Buddhism are found within the Zang Dhok Palri Monastery. Perched at an elevation of around 1372 m, one can spot the breathtaking views of the snowcapped Kanchenjunga and the Pristine Teesta River flowing down below.
KALIMPONG SCIENCE CENTRE
The Kalimpong Science Centre, which is also known as the Kalimpong Science City, is a science and technology centre situated close to Deolo Hill in Kalimpong, West Bengal. It was established in order to propagate a scientific temper and to share amongst the public knowledge and ideas pertaining to science and technology. There is a science observatory and 3D movie theatre on the premises.
Kalimpong has a temperate, monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate. It has five distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter and the monsoons. The annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F). Summers are mild, with an average maximum temperature of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in August. Summers are followed by the monsoon rains which lash the town between June and September. The monsoons are severe, often causing landslides which sequester the town from the rest of India. Winter lasts from December to February, with the minimum temperature being around 8 °C (46 °F). During the monsoon and winter seasons, Kalimpong is often enveloped by fog.
KALIMPONG BY AIR
The nearest airport is Bagdogra International Airport which is located at a distance of 78 km from Kalimpong. The airport is well connected to the major cities of India like Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati. From the airport, tourists can avail taxi service to reach Kalimpong.
KALIMPONG BY TRAIN
The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) which is located at a distance of approx 70 km from Kalimpong. The railway station connects Kalimpong to the different cities of the country. From NJP station, tourists hire a cab to reach Kalimpong.
KALIMPONG BY ROAD
With good road connectivity, Kalimpong can be easily reached by road as state and private buses connect Kalimpong to Sikkim and other cities of India including Gangtok, Kolkata, Darjeeling, Siliguri and Bagdogra.