In the kingdom of happiness

Delo,Kalimpong

The hilltop looked like a crown, over the Graham`s home, Kalimpong. Yogesh pointed his finger to the top and said-that is Delo, our next destination. In a very short time through the uphill gradient of pine lined lane and after six kilometres drive, we reached Delo. Yogesh dropped us at the entry gate and on the other side; nature received us with her unique gravitation.

in the premises of nature,Delo,Kalimpong

Entered in the premises of Delo and consequently we were surrounded by the discriminating beauty of the place, nicely blending the scenic beauty with display of colours. Soothing breeze, in a crystal clear weather accompanied us as we proceeded towards the entirety of a refreshingly fabulous landscape.

Delo in a clear weather

Delo had a wonderful collection of attractive flowers of varied colours. As we were reaching to the top, in every turn the garden surprised us with her munificent display of colours. Leaning on the lap of nature, Delo is a place to laze around under the gentle warmth of Sun, amidst the virgin landscape or staying in wide exposure of nature, an ideal place to discover endless portrayal of different moods of drifting clouds on the canvas of green mountains or a place to capture the changing moods of reposed nature. The bountiful of fabulous beauty of nature surrounded Delo like a garden of heaven, the silhouette of river Teesta flowing with azure were an added beauty to the frame, where we rejoiced in witnessing the mountains, meeting with fluvial flow under sweet warmth of the Sun.

Kanchenjunga

In the colours of dazzling flowers I still freshly recollect my memorable holiday in Kalimpong where I replenished my energy with the perpetual fresh fragrances of nature. Kalimpong is a place to me in the close proximity of nature just doorstep away, where drifting clouds portray many moods on the mountains, where glimpse of glamorous Kanchenjunga brighten the morning and a place to genuflect before the generosity of nature.

A beautiful morning

Kanchenjunga from Kalimpong

As expected, it was a knocking sound at the door, “See the Kanchanjungha from your window”. In eager haste, got down from bed to remove the curtain and wiped off the dew drops deposited on the glass window. I remained open mouthed to see the snowy mountain peak of Kanchanjungha was glowing with dazzling glamour in the deep blue canvas of stainless morning sky. The Sun was coming out of the curtain of mist blowing the flute of light. With the pleasing warmth of the rising Sun, the message of a Sunny day was conveyed in the air. It was the beginning of an excellent day in the tiny hill town of Kalimpong. The ineffable scenic panorama with the vast composure hijacked my attentions absolutely and I was spell bound by the ostentation of unbounded beauty of generous nature.

the mountains with the messengers of happiness,Kalimpong

The reposed nature was attracting in expressive gesture towards the ostentation of festivity. The drifting clouds were looking like the messengers of happiness, may be exchanging their good wishes with the lush greenery of the hills on their way to disappear in the firmament. Covered under the unstudied dew drops, the opulent rose was like a dozy princess or it was the Mother Nature spattered the dew on her face to awake the little princess. The snowy peak of Kanchanjungha was like smilingly enjoying the morning from afar, resting its chin on the range of mountains. The boundless vision could even be reached to the thin silhouette of a river stream at the bottom of the mountains. In the enliven display of generous serenity in its entirety, where I was totally immersed into the widespread tranquillity to communicate with the messages of silence.

The sleepy princess at Kalimpong

It was quite a nonchalant picture of surrounding with a rare experience of witnessing the beautiful beginning of a day in the Kingdom of unmitigated quietude. In such a pleasing atmosphere, the hypnotic warmth of the serene ambient was attracting to bask in laze. Through the window, I kept staring towards the huge wall of the mountains for hours; passionately with the desire to rediscover our identity in their greatness.

silhouette of a river at Kalimpong 

The memories of an exuberant Sunny morning in Kalimpong, with evanescent clouds kissing the mountains, the sleepy rose under the blanket of dew, memories of the view of lush green forests and the fluvial flow through the mountains will surely bring me the flavour of fresh air and I will always find myself in the ambient of eternal silence.

The perfect day out

The bright sunny day of stainless autumn sky in the backdrop of dazzling Kanchanjungha, the ingredients were perfectly matched for our day out in Kalimpong, with Yogesh. The young man was very relaxed to share his stories of life while driving the car.

the ultimate natural backdrop at Kalimpong

Dr. Graham`s home was eternally peaceful with its vast and picturesque landscape surrounded by the eye catching century old buildings. Previously known as the St. Andrew`s colonial homes and renamed Dr. Graham`s home, after the name of its founder, John Anderson Graham. The Scottish missionary, among his other contributions would continue to live in the mind of peoples of Kalimpong, for his relentless effort to educate the children of the weaker section of the society and effort to enlighten the local cultivators with modern techniques. The wide open surrounding of the Institution was established with the perspective of broad thinking, evoked the lines in my mind,
                   ..................... “Where the mind is led forward by thee
                                           Into ever-widening thought and action
                       Into that heaven of freedom, my father,let my country awake”
                                               
                                                               From the lines of the poem,
                                 Where the mind is without fear by Rabindranath Tagore

Dr.Graham`s home,Kalimpong

Rabindranath Tagore visited the historic Institution and amidst the serene vast landscapes with heavenly tranquility the two great men had their communions.

the building inside the premises,Kalimpong

Yogesh was very keen for my complete sightseeing in Kalimpong before the dusk. He was certain that Chitra Bhanu was the house where Rabindranath Tagore used to spend his days in Kalimpong. He said every time he came, he found it was locked. The fact was, Chitrabhanu was no longer an existing property of the Tagore family though it was constructed by Pratima Devi, daughter-in-law of Rabindranath Tagore and visitors entry were restricted after it was acquired by the Education Directorate of the state,in 1965.
Yogesh was unaware; actually it was Gouripur House, where Rabindranath Tagore, the great litterateur, did spend his days in Kalimpong on few occasions, and he inaugurated the live broadcast of the All India Radio from Kalimpong. In spite of his illness, Rabindranath Tagore, visited Kalimpong for the last time in 1941, and was taken to Kolkata from the Gouripur house, after he was seriously ill. Construction of Chitra Bhanu was complete after Rabindranath Tagore`s death.

in front of Chitra-Bhanu,Kalimpong

Kalimpong was very attractive destination with its outstanding picturesque beauty to bask under the munificent environment. The unique architectural buildings of Dr. Graham`s home with its hypnotic environment was speechlessly mesmeric and still indelibly engrossed in my mind. At the same time it was very unfortunate; “Gouripur house” was not a familiar name even among the local residents. Gouripur house would have the same importance as Dr.Graham`s home, from the tourism point of view and at the same time, deep concern was required in preserving the memories of our Nobel laureate.

Kalimpong

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. 

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

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

 
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.

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.

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. 

Heaven for cactus

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.

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.