Ghoom Monastery

Darjeeling is one of the best places for sightseeing along with snow-crowned mountains and hills. Between these mountains, there are various Buddhist monasteries. One of them is the Ghoom monastery. We can know more about Buddhist spirituality from this place. We should at least visit once to get peace, and energy and detoxify our minds from the daily toxicity of our life. Ghoom Monastery is the first-ever Tibetan Buddhist monastery built at an elevation of 8000 feet 8km away from Darjeeling. The name of the monastery is Yiga Choeling Monastery but to the people, it is popular as the Ghoom Monastery. The Ghoom Monastery was constructed by the Mongolian monk and astrologer Sokpo Sherab Gyatso in the year 1850. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect.

Attraction

Many visitors and travelers gather in the monastery daily to worship their Gods. The monastery is the first monastery built in Darjeeling which is why it is a historical monastery for the devotees and visitors. The main attraction of the monastery is the 15 feet statue of the Lord Maitreya Buddha. The statue is made entirely of clay and precious stones brought from Tibet. The statue is such an amazing and pure work of art. The whole monastery looks very outstanding. It carries the Buddhist philosophy and culture so beautifully. Devotees worship in this place to get a spiritual connection with God. The ancient painting sculptures and artwork look amazing to the eyes of the visitors. Besides, the natural view from the hill of the monastery is stunning.

Nearby attractions from this place are:

History

Front view of Ghoom Monastery

The Ghoom Monastery was constructed by the Mongolian monk and astrologer Sokpo Sherab Gyatso in the year 1850. The monastery was under his guideline from the year 1850-1905. In the year 1909, the head of the monastery was Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang he is popularly known as the Domo Geshe Rinpoche. He was the head from the year 1910-1952. During the year 1959 many people came to India and took refuge in that monastery. In 1961 H.E the Dhardo Rinpoche was the head of this monastery. He was a Tibetan monk in 1951. He passed away in 1991, after his death a boy named Tenzin Legshad Wangdi was considered his reincarnation. He studies Tibetian philosophy in the Drepung Loseling of South India. During the time of Dhardo Rinpoche, many policies were implemented in the monastery. Few were successful and some were failed at that time and presently, for the last two decades, the monastery is facing a huge crisis in monks and finance.

Inside/Outside Views

Inside view of Ghoom Monastery

The monastery is built based on Tibetian culture and architecture. In the center of the monastery, there is the statue of the Lord Maitreya Buddha the statue is 15 feet and it is considered the main attraction of the monastery. On the right side of the statue of Lord Maitreya Buddha, there are three statutes of the past, present, and future Buddha. On the top of those statues there are images of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tsongkhapa along with the two main attendants of Sherigbhu, Buddha and Mongalbhu and the founder of the monastery Lama Sherab Gyatso and the 9th reincarnated Panchen Lama. On the left side, there are the images of Domo Geshe Rinpoche who constructed the main statue of Ghoom Monastery, the statue of Lord Maitreya Buddha. Adjoining the images there are the idols of Chenrezig-Avalokiteshvara; the god with 1000 hands, 1000 eyes, and 11 heads. Chenrezig-Avalokiteshvara is known as the God of love and compassion. On the top right of Chenrezig-Avalokiteshvara, there is the idol of Lord Manjushree. Below this idol, there is the idol of Lord Amitabha Buddha and on the top left, there is the idol of Vajrapani or Shakya Dorje. There are huge shelves of Holy Books of Buddhists There are 102 and 213 volumes of the Kangyur and Tengyur containing the commentary and philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism. In the monastery, there are two special seats for H.H. The Dalai Lama and the head of the incarnated lama. In front of the main statue of the monastery, there are images of two huge oil lamps which keep on burning throughout the year. The whole monastery is wrapped by the gorgeous and impressive walls portraying, paintings, and arts of Tibetan Buddhism along with the different images of bodhisattvas. All the paintings are kept symmetrically. On the top hill of the monastery, there is a Ma Kali temple. As the monastery is on the hills and at a height of 8000 the visitors can get the stunning natural views of the hills from the monastery.

How to Reach

By road: From Darjeeling city, the monastery is only 8km away. It will take approximately 30 minutes to reach the monastery from Darjeeling city by car.

By railway: The Ghoom Monastery is 59.7 km away from the Siliguri Junction. It will take approximately 2 hours 20 minutes from the station to reach the monastery.

By airport: The Bagdogra International Airport is 64.6 km away from the monastery, it will take around 2 hours 27 minutes to reach the destination.

FAQ

Que-01: Is it safe to visit this place?

Ans: Yes it’s safe to visit this place.

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Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: Yes photography is allowed in the Ghoom Monastery. But for taking photographs and videos some fees should be denoted in the donation of the monastery.

What is the best time to visit the Ghoom Monastery?

The best time to visit the Ghoom Monastery is during the festival and events time. At that time, many devotees and visitors gather to take part in the festivals. The whole monastery looks amazing and it takes on a festive look.