Pilgrimage Tourism in Darjeeling involves the monasteries that follow the Buddhism sects from the early era. Later, Darjeeling transforms into a summer capital and the tourism destination as a hill station.
Mahakal Temple, Near Darjeeling Observatory Hills
Mahakal temple is located atop the Observatory Hill. It is the most revered place for the locals and one will be surprised to find a Hindu priest sharing a common altar with a Buddhist monk.
Kali temple, Darjeeling
It is a Kali temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. This temple is located on the banks of the river. The architectural marvel and being the only Kali temple in the vicinity attracts hundreds of locals and tourists each year.
Dhirdham Temple, Near Toy Train Railway Station
Dhirdham Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadeva. It is situated below the Toy Train Railway Station in Darjeeling. This temple was built by Purna Bahadur Pradhan, the king of Nepal, in 1939.
Devi-Sthan Temple, Mirik
Devi-Sthan Temple is located by the Mirik town. It is a popular tourist spot at the eastern hills, 54 km from Siliguri. It is the second largest commercial city after Kolkata.
Japanese Peace Pagoda, Jalaphar Hill
Japanese Peace Pagoda is located on the slopes of Jalaphar Hill. It is situated at a short distance from the town and showcases the four avatars of Gautama Buddha, including the Maitreya Buddha. It is open to people of all races and creeds and is purposely made to propagate peace and prosperity in the world.
Ghoom Monastery, Ghoom
Ghoom Monastery was built in 1875 by a lama called Sherab Gyatso. It is the largest monastery in Ghoom. It holds the statue of the Maitreya Buddha, believed to be "The Buddha to Come". The statue is a whopping 15 feet in height. Also known as the Yiga Choeling Monastery, Ghoom Monastery preserves some rare, handwritten Buddhist manuscripts. The monks of Ghoom Monastery follow the Gelugpa order of Buddhism.
Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery, Old Military Road
Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery, locally known as Aloobari monastery is dedicated to world peace and is a popular sight on the Old Military Road. Its construction started in 1914 with the intention of warding off World War I under the supervision of Sri Sangay Lama, a high priest of the Yolmowa - a community that is a native of north-east Nepal and is now living in Darjeeling.
Bhutia Busty Gompa, Mall Road
Bhutia Busty Gompa is a beautiful walk uphill from the busy Mall Road of Darjeeling through a narrow meandering road.
Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery, Durpin Hill, Kalimpong
Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery is perched atop the Durpin Hill in the Kalimpong region of Darjeeling. Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery is a beautiful place to visit. This monastery has Colourful Tibetan paintings that adorn the interiors of this shrine, lending it an aesthetic appeal.
St. Theresa Church, Kalimpong
St. Theresa Church is a popular attraction in Kalimpong. It is a picturesque hamlet in Darjeeling. Built painstakingly by the local and Tibetan craftsmen, this church flaunts an excellent blend of Gothic and Tibetan style of architecture. The intricate wooden carvings and exquisite Biblical illustrations on the interiors of the church are truly remarkable. Embraced with lofty mountains that are swathed in dense forests, this place exudes immense beauty for onlookers to behold.
Dali Monastery, 4 Kilometers from Darjeeling
Dali Monastery is one of the most prominent monasteries of the Kargyupa sect. It was built by Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche in 1971. Located around 4 km away from the main town of Darjeeling, this religious site is popularly referred to as Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery. This monastery is home to about 200 monks, who came to live here from the Himalayan Mountain Region of Tibet, Sikkim, China and Leh.
