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| Places of Interest
in Kalimpong |

Deolo |

Lava |
| 1 |
Kalimpong Arts and
Craft Centre
The Kalimpong Arts and Craft Centre is
within a walking distance from the motor stand. The handicrafts
of this Co-operative Handicrafts Centre received wide recognition
all over the country. Some of the things made are tapestry
bags, purses, pictorial wall panels, screens, embroidered
bags, scrolls etc. Work is done on Bhutanese, Lepchas and
Sikkimese designed cloth which is manufactured at this centre.
This institution was founded by Mrs. Katherine Graham in
the year 1897. It is stated that more than 500 people used
to work when it was managed by the Scottish Missionaries.
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| 2 |
Dr. Graham's Home
Education through the medium of English
was introduced into Kalimpong and this was the work of another
Scotsman, the Rev, Dr. J.A. Graham. Since his first 11 years
in Kalimpong he spent in routine evangelism, but later he
started concerntrating more of his time on establishing
an orphanage-cum-school; St. Andrew's Colonial and Industrial
Settlement, now simply known as 'Dr. Graham's Home'. The
first cottage to house these little unfortunate ones or
orphans went up on Kalimpong's eastern hillside, Deolo in
1900 for 35 children. Kalimpong at that time was a village
of about 1000 people. With the changing time Kalimpong now
has a population of about 50,000 and so has Dr. Graham's
changed from a entirely Christian to multi-religious. Now
it has students, boys and girls, boarders and day pupils,
sponsored children and fee paying children. Deolo Hill is
occupied by Dr. Graham's Homes comprising some fifty cottages;
it is a unique institution still supported by part by charitable
collections and sponsors from all over the world.
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| 3 |
Tibetan Monasteries
En route to the Dr. Graham's Homes are
two Tibetan monasteries, the Tharpa Choling Monastery at
Tirpai which belongs to the Yellow-Hat-Sect of lamas or
Gelugpa Sect of the Dalai Lama. The new Buddhist Monastery,
Zang-dog Palrifo Brang, completed, in 1975, is on the Durpin
Dara Hill. H.H. the Dalai Lama, on his visit to Kalimpong
in the year 1956 presented a set of rare manuscripts "Kangyur"
of 108 volumes to the Durpin Dara Monastery. The Dalai Lama
visited Kalimpong once again on May 29, 1976, for a four
day visit, when he consecrated at the Durpin Dara Monastery.
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| 4 |
Gouripur House
Gaouripur House is situated on the way
to Durpin Dara about 2 km from town (now Co-operative Training
Institute). Though a small hill station, Kalimpong was one
of the favourite place of the great Indian poet, Rabindranath
Tagore. Whenever he visited Kalimpong he stayed at Gouripur
House. He recited from this house on 25th April, 1940 the
poem "Janamadin" through a telephone system linked
with the All India Radio, Calcutta. He wrote many poems
when he was residing in this house. He left this house last
on 28th Sept 1954 never to return again.
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| 5 |
Durpin Dara
Towering over the town of Kalimpong is
the Durpin Dara at an altitude of 1402 metres which offers
breathtaking views. From the view point at Durpin which
in fact means "binoculars" the whole Chola Range
of Sikkim can be seen including the Jelep La Pass. On the
Northwest horizon can be seen the panoramic view of Kanchenjunga
Range. On the Southern horizon looms the Tiger Hill and
between the gap in the Teesta Valley can be seen the rolling
plains of West Bengal. Far down below, the rivers Relli
and Ryang meet the mighty Teesta near the Rambhi bazaar
area.
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| 6 |
The Golf Courses
The Lion's Golf Course, a challenging
and picturesque Army Golf Course, consisting of nine holes,
has been laid by the military authorities along the most
picturesque, beautiful and undulating slopes at Durpin Ridge,
Opposite the historic Singamari Tourist Lodge of Bengal
Government and Circuit House. About 1000 plants have been
planted here.
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| 7 |
Swiss Welfare Dairy
About four km from the town towards the
Teesta and just above the Central Sericulture Station is
the Co-operative Dairy called the Swiss Welfare Dairy.
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| 8 |
Central Sericulture
Station
The State Sericulture Department at Kalimpong
has taken up an expanding programme of mulberry cultivation
in Darjeeling Hills. Following in the footsteps of India's
preceptors, medicinal plants are being cultivated among
the Rauwalfa Serpentina, Digitalia, Purpurea, Atropa Acuminata,
Atropa Belladona etc.
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| 9 |
Darmodaya Vihar
The Nepalese Buddhists have a temple
named the Dharmodaya Vihar which is on Rishi Road. It is
the residence of Nepalese Buddhist monks. The idol of Buddha
inside the temple at Dharmodaya Vihar was presented by Buddhists
of Burma. It is run and maintained by the members of Kalimpong
Dharmodaya Sabha. They have opened a Nursery school by the
name "Dharmodaya Nursery School" in the old premises
of the Vihar.
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Some
Rural Areas of Kalimpong |
| 10 |
Lava
Located on a pass astride the old trade
route to Bhutan, at an elevation of 2000 metres, a small
hamlet, 35 km from Kalimpong is Lava. It is surrounded by
virgin forests and is ideal for nature exploration, bird
watching, and for viewing orchids in their natural habitat.
It is also the base for exploring the Neora Valley, upto
the 3152 m high Rachela Pass on the junction with Sikkim
and Bhutan. Sherpa View Point offers good views of the snow
ranges of the Chola Range. Treks to Samthar plateau also
start from here.
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| 11 |
Gitdabling - Budhabare
Budhabare is a weekly market bazar, located
at Gitadabling, in the valley of the Git River. This area
has scenic countryside, with forests, streams, terraced
cultivation, and old style homesteads. A suitable area for
easy trekking, at an elevation of 1400 metres, it offers
quiet walks, old Lepcha houses, village pubs, church and
a Gompa, along with an opportunity to study trival culture
and lifestyle.
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| 12 |
Lolegaon - Kafer
A forest region with exotic flora, unusual
serenity, and a sunrise view of Jhandi Dara which rivals
the view from Tiger Hill. Accommodation is arranged in the
forest bungalow or in tents.
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| 13 |
Samco Ropeway
Located 20 km from Kalimpong on the highway
to Siliguri, this ropeway was constructed by Christian Missionaries
to open up the remote Samthar Suruk region with its predominent
Lepcha population. The ropeway spans 1.5 km over both the
Teesta and Relli rivers. It is a breathtaking ride 120 feet
over the waters of the river, with unusual views.
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| 14 |
Samthar Plateau
A scenic and remote plateau located south
of Kalimpong at an elevation of 1400 metres is the Samthar
Plateau. It is perhaps the best spot around Kalimpong, for
a unique holiday. It is serene and calm, provides panaromic
views of the snow ranges in an arc of breathtaking beauty
- stretching from Kanchenjunga in the west to Gymochen in
the east. The plateau has charming stone and thatch hamlets,
terraced fields, forests and a mixed population of Nepalese,
Bhutias and Lepchas. It is indeed a postcard place; no crowds,
no pollution - only tranquility. For many years the only
access to Samthar was through the Samco Ropeway, but now
a 80 km road connects Samthar to Kalimpong.
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