Bhutan House

The illustrious Dorji family of Bhutan owns the Bhutan House, which was constructed in Kalimpong in 1912. Raja Urgyen Dorji persuaded the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Tibetan Gyatso, who was living in exile in Kalimpong, to live there after the house was constructed. During his three-month visit, the Dalai Lama gave Bhutan House its Tibetan name, which translates to “The Palace of Unchanging Supreme Joy.” The Fifth King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck’s royal grandmother, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, resides in Bhutan House.

Attraction

The traditional administration Dzong for southern Bhutan is known as Bhutan House. During the early years of the modern kingdom’s consolidation, Bhutan House also served as the administrative hub for western Bhutan. Bhutan House, a contemporary icon of links between Bhutan and India, symbolizes the relationship between Bhutan and British India. That’s why this place attracts visitors every year.

History

When the Bhutan Wars ended in 1865, and the Treaty of Sinchula was signed, Bhutan transferred the territory of the Bhutan House to British India. The same territory was divided into hill stations in 1916 when Darjeeling’s Subdivision was created. The treaty of Punakha was signed by Sir Charles Alfred Bell, a political officer of Sikkim and Tibetologist 1910, along with agreements relating to the land assignment in Motithang (Thimphu). This hill station lay between Thimphu and Chukha hill stations to the British and a portion of Kalimpong to Bhutan. It also increased Bhutan’s annual British subsidy by a factor of two. The Dorjis built the Bhutan residence to receive the thirteenth Dalai Lama. Chogley Yeshey Ngodrup dedicated the grounds of the Bhutan House after his tour to Bodhgaya. The Dorji family gained prominence due to their ties to the Wangchuck family and the British. Kazi Dorji advised the first future monarch regarding how to arbitrate and communicate between Tibet and the British. And afterward, Kazi Dorji was blamed for the widespread recruitment of Nepalis into Bhutan. The members of the Dorji family served as Gongzim, the chief chamberlain, the highest position in the administration, during the early years of the family’s prominence. The Bhutan house served as the members’ official residence.

Inside/Outside Views

The fencing and road around the Bhutan House provide security. It is a double-story, Victorian-style building with a stone base. A modest stupa with Ayi Thubten Wangmo’s ashes and Rani Chuni‘s white-colored chorten stands out among the grass. The River Relli flows beneath the Deep Valley and is next to the Bhutan house. Dark wood covers the interior of the Bhutanese home. The guests have a dining and a sitting room on the first floor. On the above floor are bedrooms and dressing rooms for the family. There are Bhutanese Chodems, carved tables, books, woven material, and artifacts kept well-furnished in the late Rani Chuni’s room. The house has many rooms, including a big hall on every floor. A small bridge also connects a separate kitchen of two stories to the main structure. There is also a Buddhist temple known as Ihakhang on the premises. On the first level is a dining room and a living room for visitors. The top floor accommodates the family’s bedrooms and dressing rooms. The late Rani Chuni’s room is well-furnished with Bhutanese Chodems, which are carved tables, books, woven materials, and artifacts. The house has a large hall on each floor and numerous rooms. A separate kitchen with two levels is also joined to the main building by a narrow bridge. On the site, there is a Buddhist temple called Ihakhang.

How to Reach

By Rail: The distance between Kalimpong, located 67 kilometers away, and the closest railway station is the new Jalpaiguri station. Outside the station, taxis are easily accessible, and trains link to the majority of cities worldwide.

By Air: The closest airport, located 79 kilometers from Kalimpong near Siliguri, is Bagdogra Airport. A taxi from the airport to Kalimpong costs approximately 1500 rupees. The airport provides good connectivity for internal and foreign nations surrounding India and international travel. The visitors can take domestic flights from Delhi and Kolkata.