Early in the
morning,left Darjeeling for Kalimpong by car.The hired cars were plying frequently from the auto stand of Darjeeling
to Kalimpong . Kalimpong can also be reached from Siliguri in almost same time. That time I had a different plan to reach Kalimpong from Darjeeling. A subdivision under Darjeeling District,
Kalimpong is a hill station in West Bengal.Journey from Darjeeling to Kalimpong was very nice experience,the road pass through lush green forests and tea gardens. On the way witnessed the exquisite spot "The Lover`s meet",where river Teesta meets Rangeet.
Kalimpong was reached nearly within two hours. Kalimpong offered me a quiet and relaxed day with gentle warmth of the Sun, to begin my site seeing in the backdrop of Kanchanjungha.
After reaching Kalimpong town, our tour started with Dr.Graham`s Homes, the educational institution started with the prime target of educating local children of the tea workers and economically poor section, by Dr.John Anderson Graham,the Scottish missionary in the year 1900. The Institution with its large campus has its own poultry,bakery,and dairy,and nowadays students come from different parts of the world for education.
Within this complex,a Church was built at the top, in memory of his wife Katherine Graham. In the backdrop of deep blue sky, the church attracts the visitors attentions with the uniqueness of architectural beauty right from the entry into the school premises. Constructed in the year 1919, the huge Church drags the visitors with its alluring beauty, but the church building was abandoned and declared dangerous, as the old church building suffered
serious damages due to the earthquake and bears severe cracks throughout the body,the
church bell that used to ring has become silent, as the entry inside the
church building has been restricted. The beautiful church, was likely to collapse any time.
Delo,the highest point of Kalimpong. The picturesque view of the river Teesta, from the Delo hill was like watching the earth from space. The garden of the premises were full of seasonal flowers and nicely maintained. I can still memorize the wide and panoramic view of the plains easily and can recall my happy tour to the tiny hill town. A perfect place to capture the scenic beauty in frames as well as in mind.
Kalimpong has a number of monasteries and gongpas,can be visited,during the prayer sessions. The followers of Mahayan Buddhism,the Tibetan Buddhists could be seen offering prayers before their god. Guru Padmasambhav among others were seen to be worshiped.
Large number of tourists were gathered to witness their prayer in the evening. The Tibetan Lamas were seen, performing their ritualistic practices before the god.
The orchid nursery,the heaven for Cactus of different sizes and shapes are kept here for display.It is important to mention that Kalimpong produces over 3/4th of India`s gladioli and orchids and hosts a festival of flower in October.
In the evening the hath bazar is a very good time pass where people of nearby village buy and sell their commodities. Kalimpong is famous for its local handicrafts.
Siliguri can be reached straight from Kalimpong and this road follows river Teesta from the hills till it disappears into the forests near Siliguri and it can be reached from Darjeeling in two hours.Tourists coming to Darjeeling and never visited this place should come here from Darjeeling for a couple of day`s visit before leaving the hills,the scenic beauty on their way down to Kalimpong will certainly make them,visit this place again.
Kalimpong is a hill station in West Bengal.Journey from Darjeeling to Kalimpong was very nice experience,the road pass through lush green forests and tea gardens. On the way witnessed the exquisite spot "The Lover`s meet",where river Teesta meets Rangeet.
 |
| Dr.Graham`s home |
Kalimpong was reached nearly within two hours. Kalimpong offered me a quiet and relaxed day with gentle warmth of the Sun, to begin my site seeing in the backdrop of Kanchanjungha.
 |
| Katherine Graham memorial chapel |
After reaching Kalimpong town, our tour started with Dr.Graham`s Homes, the educational institution started with the prime target of educating local children of the tea workers and economically poor section, by Dr.John Anderson Graham,the Scottish missionary in the year 1900. The Institution with its large campus has its own poultry,bakery,and dairy,and nowadays students come from different parts of the world for education.
 |
| The Church bell |
 |
| Delo |
Delo,the highest point of Kalimpong. The picturesque view of the river Teesta, from the Delo hill was like watching the earth from space. The garden of the premises were full of seasonal flowers and nicely maintained. I can still memorize the wide and panoramic view of the plains easily and can recall my happy tour to the tiny hill town. A perfect place to capture the scenic beauty in frames as well as in mind.
 |
| Shri Mangal Dham |
The temple premises of Shri Mangal Dham, filled with absolute tranquility would definitely touch the hearts who are in search of mental peace. The walls of the prayer
hall portray different Hindu mythological stories ,it evoked the memory of my childhood days,listening mythological stories from my grand mother.
The house "Chitra Bhanu"built by the daughter-in law of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on the 8-th August 1943 (she was married to his eldest son Rathindranath).The house is now acquired by the Directorate of Education,West Bengal and is used as a training center for women and visitors are not allowed in the compound.
The house "Chitra Bhanu"built by the daughter-in law of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on the 8-th August 1943 (she was married to his eldest son Rathindranath).The house is now acquired by the Directorate of Education,West Bengal and is used as a training center for women and visitors are not allowed in the compound.
 |
| Buddhist monastery |
Kalimpong has a number of monasteries and gongpas,can be visited,during the prayer sessions. The followers of Mahayan Buddhism,the Tibetan Buddhists could be seen offering prayers before their god. Guru Padmasambhav among others were seen to be worshiped.
 |
| Heaven for cactus |
 |
| View of Kanchanjungha from Kalimpong |
In the evening the hath bazar is a very good time pass where people of nearby village buy and sell their commodities. Kalimpong is famous for its local handicrafts.
Siliguri can be reached straight from Kalimpong and this road follows river Teesta from the hills till it disappears into the forests near Siliguri and it can be reached from Darjeeling in two hours.Tourists coming to Darjeeling and never visited this place should come here from Darjeeling for a couple of day`s visit before leaving the hills,the scenic beauty on their way down to Kalimpong will certainly make them,visit this place again.
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