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Hill Stations in India
Kalimpong -
East India Hill Station
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Travel Destinations of India » Hill
Station in India » Kalimpong Hill Station |
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Kalimpong
Tour
Straddling a ridge between the Deolo and Durpin hills,
Kalimpong is a quiet and peaceful town nestled at a
comfortable elevation of 1,200 meters, which ensures a
pleasant climate round the year. Conquered from Sikkim
by Bhutan in 1706, its name supposedly comes from
‘kaleon’ and ‘pong’ meaning ‘minister’s bastion or fort’
since it did have the presence of a Bhutanese governor
for the period it remained under their rule. However,
the Lepcha who were there long before are said to have
called it ‘kalibong’ meaning ‘the ridge where we play’.
In 1865, after the Anglo-Bhutan War, British India
brought it under their control on becoming aware of its
vantage position as an outpost for trade with Tibet,
which they did accomplish in establishing.
Till the early 1950’s until China shut down Tibet’s
border, Kalimpong flourished as a trading
post. Trade with Tibet brought in caravans of musk,
hides, furs, turquoise, coral, gold, herbs and minerals
of medicinal value, and especially lamb wool. Soon large
godowns were built where thousands found employment in
sorting, drying and baling wool that came from Tibet. In
exchange, the Tibetan traders took back cloth, tea,
sugar and other food produces.
Alongside the trade with Tibet, the arrival of
missionaries also saw to an early expansion of Kalimpong
from a sleepy hamlet to a sizeable town that it is
today. Schools and hospitals were established as early
as 1873, and even till today the town’s reputation as an
educational center is known far and wide.
Of late, the descendents of early Newar settlers from
the Kathmandu Valley with their keen sense for business
have taken to floriculture. At a lower altitude than
Darjeeling and with much less rainfall, Kalimpong has a
different climate, one which has proved particularly
suited to flower-growing. Indeed, the Kalimpong plant
nurseries are famous throughout the world, while the
hillsides in springtime are a vibrant testament to the
rich natural environment of orchids and rhododendron.
History of Kalimpong :
The etymology of Kalimpong has several interpretations.
According to one view, Kalimpong means a place where
tribesmen gather and organize traditional tribal games.
The second view suggests that the name has been derived
from a place in Bhutan. A third interpretation is that
Kalimpong is named after Kaulim, a fibrous plant found
in abundance in this region.
Until the 18th century ad, Kalimpong was a part of the
Kingdom of Sikkim and was ruled by Sikkimese rulers. It
was then taken over by the Bhutanese. In the 19th
century, the British took over Kalimpong and merged into
the present Indian state of West Bengal.
Places to see in Kalimpong:
Sdr. Graham's Homes
A unique educational institution, started in 1900 by Dr.
John Anderson Graham, a Missionary, with six orphans,
the school, situated in a 500 acre estate on the slopes
of Kalimpong’s highest hill, Dealo, has today a strength
of well over 700 boys and girls who are accommodated in
small cottages in a picturesque set-up. It has its own
diary, poultry and bakery and every year in the month of
May the school organises "MAYFAIR". A day’s visit there
can be enthralling.
Durpin Dara
It is the highest point in Kalimpong accessible by car.
It offers a breath-taking view of the plains and the
mighty Teesta.
Gauripur House (Now Co-operative Training Institute)
Situated about 2 km from the town centre on the way to
Durpin Dara, Gauripur House was one of the favourite
haunts of Poet Rabindranath Tagore. He stayed there on
his many visits to Kalimpong.
Kalimpong Market
Your visit to Kalimpong won’t be complete unless you
spend several hours or better still, several days at the
two Kalimpong bazars, one on the Main Road, the other
near the 10th mile. It is a unique experience to see
villagers turning up in their local costume at the
bazars on weekly market days to sell their farm
products.
Kalibari
Kalibari is about 2 km from town Huge statue of Goddess
Kali, the main deity of this temple.
7th Mile View Point
3 km from the town on the way to Teesta Bazar. A
panoramic view of Teesta Rangeet Valley can be seen from
here.
Thongsha Gumpha
1 km from town. Situated at 10th mile this monastery of
Bhutanese origin is built in the year 1630 and it is the
oldest monastery in this region.
Tharpa Choling Monastery
It is situated at Tirpai Hill and built around 1937
belongs to Gelupka Sect to which the present Dalai Lama
belongs.
Mangaldham
This recently constructed place of worship is a
marvellous piece of architecture.
Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brtang Monastery
This is a fairly new monastery located in Durpin Dara.
One can get a panoramic view of the town and surrounding
from this monastery.
Pedong Monastery
26 Km from Kalimpong and was established in 1837.
Excursion :
Teesta Bazaar, located 16 km from Kalimpong, is an
important place for white water rafting. The rafting
season is between mid-November to mid-February. The
small village of Lava, located at 2,353 m above sea
level and about 30 km east of Kalimpong, is an important
place to visit. Kagyupa Gompa is located here.
The village of Kaffer, located at 1555 m above sea
level, is beyond Lava and one can have magnificent view
of the summit of Kanchenjunga from here. The Samco
Ropeway across the Teesta River, on the main Siliguri.
Gangtok road is an important attraction near Kalimpong.
One has to take a bus for Siliguri from Kalimpong in
order to visit this ropeway en route.
From Kalimpong it is possible to go to visit
Phuntsholing across the Bhutanese border, without a
visa.
Weather :
The weather in Kalimpong is alpine. Summers (April-June)
are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It
experiences southwestern monsoon rains in
July-September.
Fair and Festivals :
Kalimpong hosts an annual flower festival in the month
of October.
Shopping in Kalimpong :
Markets in Kalimpong, which are open on Wednesdays and
Saturdays, are good places for the souvenir hunter.
Kalimpong offers a wide range of traditional handicrafts
to the traveler. Woodcarvings, embroidered items, bags
and purses with tapestry work, copperware, scrolls,
Tibetan jewelry and artifacts can be picked up from the
shops and markets across the town.
How to get there :
Kalimpong is connected to all the major cities of India
by Air, Rail and Road.
Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra which is 80 kms
from Kalimpong.
Rail : The nearest railway stations are Siliguri
Junction & New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.
Road :Kalimpong is connected to Darjeeling, Siliguri and
Gangtok by road through buses, jeeps and private taxis.
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Travel Agents & Tour Operators in Kalimpong
offers online booking for Kalimpong hotels at discounted
rates. We also provide reservations and information of
all luxury hotels in Kalimpong, five star hotels in Kalimpong,
heritage hotels in Kalimpong, four star hotels in Kalimpong,
three star and budget hotels in Kalimpong plus hotels near
airport and hotels near famous tourist destinations in
Kalimpong , India. We also provide other travel services
like package tours, car and taxi rental in Kalimpong to
make your trip a wonderful dream come true. |
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