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Kalimpong is a bustling and rapidly expanding, though still relatively small,
bazaar town set among the rolling foothills and deep valleys of the Himalayan
at an altitude of 1250m. It was once part of the lands belonging to the rajas
of Sikkim, until the beginning of the 18th century when it was taken from them
by the Bhutanese. In the 19th century it passed into the hands of the British
and thus became part of West Bengal. It became a centre for Scottish
missionary activity in the late 19th century, and Dr Graham's orphanage and
school is still running today.
Kalimpong's attractions include three monasteries, a couple of solidly built
churches, an excellent private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan
language and culture, a sericulture, orchid nurseries and fine views over the
surrounding countryside. Although not many travellers bother to visit
Kalimpong, there's enough here to keep you occupied for a couple of days, and
for the energetic there's some good trekking. The most interesting part of a
trip to Kalimpong is the journey there from Darjeeling via the Teesta River
bridge. If you have no permit for Sikkim then the town is worth visiting just
for the journey.
Places of Interest
Gompas: Established in 1922, the Tharpa Choling Gompa belongs to the Yellow
Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in the Tibet in the 14th century and to
which the Dalai Lama belongs. It's a 40 minute walk from town; take the path
to the right off KD Pradhan Rd, just before the Milk Collection and Extension
Wing Building.
Lower down the hill, the Thongsa Gompa, of Bhutanese Monastery, is the oldest
monastery in the area and was founded in 1692. The present building is not so
old - the original was destroyed by the Gurkhas in their rampage across Sikkim
before the arrival of the British. Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, five km
south of the town centre at the end of the ridge, was built in the mid - 1970s
at Durpin Dara Hill and was consecrated by the Dalai Lama. There are
impressive wall paintings in the prayer room, and a rare three dimensional
mandala upstairs. Mountain views are good from Durpin Dara Hill. This area is
a big military camp, but you are free to walk or drive through it.
Bhutan : From Kalimpong it is possible to visit Phuntsholing, just over the
Bhutanese border, without a visa. There's a daily bus to Jaigaon, on the
Indian side of the border, which leaves at 8.30am. There are hotels and
guesthouses at Phuntsholing, but not Jaigaon.
Lava: About 30km to the east of Kalimpong, is a small village with a small
gompa. Tuesday is market day, and a good time to visit. There's a Forest Rest
House buses and jeeps run regularly from Kalimpong. Kaffer is another small
village east of Kalimpong, and it also has a Forest Rest House. Both of these
places can be visited on treks from Kalimpong.
Teesta Bazaar: 16km from Kalimpong and where the road divides for Darjeeling
and Silliguri, is becoming a centre for white water rafting activities.
Samco Ropeway: A chairlift installed by the Swedish as part of an aid programme to help villagers cross the Teesta River. If the idea of dangling
from a piece of wire 30m above the water doesn't entice, give this a miss -
it's definitely not for vertigo sufferers or heart patients! The ropeway is on
the main Silliguri to Gangtok road, at a place known locally as 27th Mile.
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