Tourist City in Kalimpong

The origin of the name Kalimpong has been traced to various sources. In Tibetan, Kalim means King's Minister and Pong means Stronghold. It is also called Kalibong (or Black Spur) by the hill people. The most likely one, however, is the Lepcha meaning, 'ridge where we play'. It is said that the local tribesmen used to organise field sports in the area, when not engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Kalimpong was originally part of the kingdom of Bhutan for 155 years. In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutanese War, it was merged with Darjeeling. It became a sub-division of Darjeeling in 1916. Under British administration, Kalimpong developed into a centre of wool trade with Tibet.

At Kalimpong, Buddhism rubs shoulders with Hinduism and Christianity. Gompas, unusual churches, temples, monks and missionaries coexist in a genial society. The quaint bustling bazaar is a shopper's delight. The picture postcard countryside around Kalimpong has vast tracts of forests around Lava and Lolegaon. It includes the wild and protected Neora National Park, reaching up to the 3,152-m. high Rachela trijunction between Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal. The river valleys of Git, Rishi, Rilli and the mighty Teesta, and the enchanting Samthar Plateau form a part of the counyryside. A Kalimpong-based trip offers a true town-and-country holiday, combining the pleasures of Kalimpong town with walks and treks, forest and flora exploration, bird and butterfly watching, etc. Buddhist tours, river rafting, mountain biking and nature and culture tours are also arranged from Kalimpong.

Places To See
Hewn out of a hillside, the Army Golf Club was set up to keep officers fit for high altitude soldiering. The grounds, particularly the 3rd Green, offer an excellent angle for photographing the Durpin Monastery.

The colonial bungalows were built by British wool traders during the Raj, and are located mostly on the Rinkingpong and Hill Top roads. These include Surya Sadan, Crockety, Galingka, Morgan House, Tashiding and Ringking Farm. Of these, Morgan House and Tashiding, now Government Tourist Lodges, can be visited.

The Deolo Hill is situated on the road to Kalimpong, from Darjeeling. Atop the 1914-m. hill, the Deolo View Point offers an excellent view of snow peaks, Kalimpong town and the confluence of the Rangeet and Teesta rivers. The Deolo Lake is Kalimpong town's water reservoir.

About three km. from Kalimpong town, stands Dr. Graham's Homes. This extraordinary educational institute has a campus of 500 acres, with its own farm, bakery, dairy, poultry, clothing department, hospital and chapel. Started in 1900 by Scotsman, Rev. Dr. John Anderson Graham, as a home for six orphans, it is now a public school with around 900 students. They are given extra training in handicrafts. A May Fair is organized by the School every year. The School celebrates its Centenary Year in 2000, with most functions focussed around 24th September.

About two km. from Kalimpong, Durpin Dara looms above the town to the southwest. This is an observation point from where one can have a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges and the valleys, the rivers and the plains. Durpin Dara was once a survey point, and hence the name, which means Binocular Ridge.

Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries. Gladioli, orchids, cacti, amaryllis, anthuriums, roses, gerberas, dahlias and other exotic plants are grown in a number of flower nurseries, mainly for export.

Best explored walking, the famous Kalimpong Bazaar is also known as the Tenth Mile. This is virtually a Pandora's box of surprises, where one can shop for Buddhist thankas, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lanterns, hand-stitched clothing, copperware, hand-beaten silver, local cheddar-type cheese and lollypops, Lepcha daggers, masks and a lot more.

There is a bi-weekly haat where the villagers gather to sell their wares. Knitted garments, carpets, stone-studded metal curios and masks are additionally available on haat days.

Mangal Dhaam, a recently constructed place of worship, is a marvellous piece of architecture. The temple has been built in the memory of late Guru Shree 108 Mangal Dasji. The samadhi of the Guruji is located within the temple.

Operated by the Forest Department, the Nature Interpretation Centre focuses on flora, fauna and how local people interact with ecology.

Built by local craftsmen to resemble a Gompa, St. Theresa's Church has wood carvings adorning the walls, depicting Biblical scenes, in which the personalities resemble Buddhist monks. This is an interesting example of Tibetan influences.

Belonging to the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the Tharpa Choling Monastery was built in 1937.

The oldest gompa built during the Bhutanese period, the Thongsha Gompa was built in 1630.

Established in 1970, the Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery was consecrated personally by the Dalai Lama in 1976. This gompa has impressive wall paintings and frescoes in the prayer hall and an excellent collection of thankas. Upstairs, there is a rare three-dimensional mandala and an image of the 1000-armed Chenrazee or Avalokiteswara. This monastery contains the Kangyur, the Tibetan Buddhist religious text, in all its 108 volumes. It was brought by the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet during the Chinese invasion. There is also a large image of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padma Sambhava, the patron saint and founder of the Nyingmapa Order of Buddhism. Five km. from the city, the Monastery offers an excellent view.

Short Excursions
The small town of Pedong is situated 24 km. away from Kalimpong. It has a monastery of Bhutanese origin, built in 1837. Lava, a natural retreat and a favourite with trekkers, is at a distance of 34 km. Another 25 km. away is Lolegaon, an interesting forest drive.

Season
Kalimpong, with its temperate climate, is comfortable throughout the year. Summer, from March to June, is sunny and bright, with temperatures of 15°C - 25°C, and with flowers in full bloom. The monsoon months of July and August bring heavy rains, drifting clouds and lush greenery. From September to February are the autumn and winter seasons, with temperatures between 7° C and 15° C, when blue sunlit skies and clear views of snow peaks greet the visitor. Kalimpong receives an average annual rainfall of 203 cm. Kalimpong offers a fine view of the Kanchenjungha, Siniolchu, Paunhari, Lama Anden, Chola, Nathu La, Jalep La and Gymochen peaks.

How To Get There
The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, and the nearest railhead at New Jalpaiguri.
By road, Kalimpong is 675 km. from Calcutta. Buses are available from the Central Bus Stand at Siliguri. From Darjeeling, DGHC provides bus services to Kalimpong. Jeeps and landrovers ply regularly between the two towns. For sightseeing in and around Kalimpong town, jeeps and cars are available on hire from private operators.