Kalimpong - the land of beautiful Valleys

Kalimpomg, the land of beautiful valleys, is a small village in Darjeeling district, some 80kms from Bagdogra and New Jalpaiuri,is one of the most beautiful town of the lower Himalayas also known as Mahabaharata Hills. At an altitude of 1250 mtts(approx 4100 ft),located on top of a ridge on the east of river Teesta, this hill station of "the Raj" ( known as It was developed by Britishers) , has an incredible stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks, Flowering valley full of Rhododendrons and Gladiolas.

The town was initially known as Kaleebung and later on, the name was converted to Kalimpong. There is no certainty as to the origin of the name of the town and quite a few theories are there explaining the origin.  The most widely accepted theory about the origin of the name Kalimpong is "Assembly (or Stockade) of the King's Ministers" in Tibetan, derived from kalon ("King's ministers") and pong ("stockade"). It is also supported by its translation from Lepcha “ridges where we play" or ‘Hillock of Assemblage’, as it was known to be the region's traditional tribal gathering for summer sporting events. People from the hills also call the area Kalibong ("the black spurs").Some people believe that the name Kalimpong is derived from a fibrous plant Kaulim found in this region. Another theory as propagated by K.P. Tamsang, author of ‘The Untold and Unknown Reality about the Lepchas’, the name Kalenpung is the root word for the Kalimpong, Kalenpung is the fibrous plant found here. Other theories suggest that the name has been derived from a place in Bhutan.

Until the mid-19th century, Kalimpong and the area around was ruled in succession by the Sikkimese and Bhutanese kingdoms.Under Sikkimese rule, the area was known as Dalingkot, however in year 1706, the king of Bhutan won this territory from the Sikkimese monarch and renamed it Kalimpong. Kalimpong was once been the forward position of the Bhutanese, the area being sparsely populated by the indigenous Lepcha community and migrantBhutia and Limbu tribes. In 1780, the Gurkhas invaded and conquered Kalimpong. After the Anglo-Bhutan War in 1864, the Treaty of Sinchula was signed in 1865, according to which Bhutanese held territory east of the Teesta River was ceded to the British East India Company. including Kalimpong, which was a small hamlet with two to three families residing there.

The first recorded mention of the town of Kalimpong is a fleeting reference made that year by Ashley Eden, a government official with the Bengal Civil Service. In 1866, Kalimpong was added to district of Darjeeling ,In 1866–1867 an Anglo-Bhutanese commission demarcated the common boundaries between the two, thereby giving shape to the Kalimpong subdivision and the Darjeeling district. The favorable temperate climate and beautiful scenic nature prompted the British to develop this town as an alternative hill station to Darjeeling. Kalimpong's proximity to the Nathu La and Jelep La passes (La means "pass"), offshoots of the ancient Silk Road, soon made it an important trading outpost in the trade of furs, wools and food grains between India and Tibet. The increase in commerce attracted large numbers of migrants from Nepal, leading to an increase in population and economic prosperity.

Following Indian independence in 1947, Kalimpong became part of the state of West Bengal. When China annexed Tibet in 1959, many Buddhist monks fled Tibet and established monasteries in Kalimpong. These monks also brought, with them many rare Buddhist scriptures which are preserved in these monasteries. In 1962,the Sino-Indian War led to closure of Jelepla Pass and disrupted trade between Tibet and India leading to a slowdown in Kalimpong's economy.

Kalimpong and neighbouring Darjeeling were major centres demanding for a separate Gorkhaland state in the 1980s. Between 1986 and 1988, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland and Kamtapur based on ethnic lines grew strong. Riots between the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the West Bengal government  led to the formation of theDarjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, a body that was given semi-autonomous powers to govern the Darjeeling district, except the area under the Siliguri subdivision.

Kalimpong is a beautiful town scattered with beautiful and religiously important monasteries, beautiful valley full of natural delights. Most of the Kalimpong of today have developed under the colonial rule, giving the buildings a colonial charm and the town its character. Kalimpong is not only a destination for natural lovers and religious followers, but it is also a shoppers delight with markets full of indigenous handicraft items mostly of Tibetan and Bhutanese nature.

Kalimpong town in itself have numerous places of interest to offer for sightseeing, some of the most interesting are:

Kalimpong town is located on the ridge connecting two peaks of variable altitude, Deolo is the highest point in Kalimpong at 5591 ft while Durpin is the lowest point at 4190 ft. Both Deolo and Durpin offers excellent view of Mt kanchendzunga.

Deolo/Delop Top can be reached by 15minutes drive from Kalimpong city centre towards Algarah. Apart from the scenic view of Kanchanzunga, Deolo top also offers a large well maintained garden spread over several acres.

Durpin is closer to city centre. Durpin, which roughly means "binoculars" offers the view of whole Chola Range of Sikkim including the Jelep La Pas, apart from Kanhenjunga in Northwest and Tiger Hill in South. Below you can also see the mighty Teesta River and the sangam of Relli and Ryang with Teesta. Durpin hill also have one of the most sacred monasteries in Kalimpong, known as Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa.

Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa was Built in the mid-1970s. H.H. the Dalai Lama, on his visit to Kalimpong in the year 1956 presented a set of rare manuscripts "Kangyur" of 108 volumes to the Durpin Dara Monastery, which led to the construction of the new monastery to house them. The construction of the monastery was completed in 1975 The Dalai Lama visited

Kalimpong once again on May 29, 1976, for a four day visit, when he consecrated at the Durpin Dara Monastery. This 'Gompa' (monastery) houses impressive wall-paintings and a rare three dimensional `mandal` upstairs. A climb up the stairs takes you to the top of the monastery giving you better view of the Kanchenjunga as well as the Dooars Valley.The aesthetic atmosphere with the chants of prayers by Groups of monks inside the main hall is an experience that you will like to remember fora long time. Brang monastery is one of its kind out side Tibet and has retained the special lamaistic order with a school of Tibetan Medicine and a religious debating society.

Another important monastery is on the way to Deolo, the Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai belonging to the Yellow-Hat-Sect of lamas or Gelugpa Sect of the Dalai Lama and was established in 1937.Other monasteries worth visiting are Thongsa Gompa, Founded in 1692, It is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong. The Pedong Bhutanese monastery established in the same year near the old Bhutanese Damsang Fort at Algara is where ceremonial dances are held every February.

A picturesque Golf Course on the Slopes of Durpin Ridge has been constructed by the army. This nine holes (12 greens) golf course is one of the more challenging Golf Courses and adds to the beauty of the town.

Kalimpong Arts and Craft Centre

The Kalimpong Arts and Craft Centre, founded by Mrs. Katherine Graham in the year 1897, is located within walking distance from the motor stand and is famous world wide for its handicrafts. Some of the things made here are tapestry bags, purses, pictorial wall panels, screens, embroidered bags, scrolls etc. The centre also manufacture Bhutanese, Lepchas and Sikkimese designed cloth which is also used on the handicraft item prepared at the centre. It is stated that once more than 500 people used to work when it was managed by the Scottish Missionaries.

Dr. Graham's Home

Formal English education in Kalimpong started in year 1870 with the arrival of Scottish missionaries. Rev. W. Macfarlane in the early 1870s established the first schools in the area. Later the Scottish University Mission Institution was opened in 1886, followed by the Kalimpong Girls High School. In 1900, Reverend J.A. Graham founded the St. Andrew's Colonial and Industrial Settlement, now simply known as 'Dr. Graham's Home' for destitute Anglo-Indian students. It started with the initial batch of 35 students, in a cottage on Deolo (population of Kalimpong then was around 1000 people). As time progressed and city grew ( the current population of Kalimpong is about 50000 people), Dr Graham's House also grew. It is now a multi religious, has both boy and girl students, Boarders and day pupils and even fee paying students, and is spread over 50 cottages. This unique institution is still supported by part by charitable collections and sponsors from all over the world.

Gouripur House

About 2 kms from Town, on th eway to Durpin Dara, is located Gaouripur House (now Co-operative Training Institute). Though a small hill station, Kalimpong was one of the favourite place of the great Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore. Whenever he visited Kalimpong he stayed at Gouripur House ( Chitra Bhanu).On 25th April,From this house , Rabindranath Tagore,  recited his poem "Janamadin" through a telephone system linked with the All India Radio, Calcutta. He wrote many poems when he was residing in this house. His last visit ended on 28th Sept 1954.

Darmodaya Vihar

Damodaya Vihar is a temple on Rishi Road and is the residence of Nepalese Buddhists monks and is run and maintained by the members of Kalimpong Dharmodaya Sabha. The idol of Buddha inside the temple at Dharmodaya Vihar was presented by Buddhists of Burma. A Nursery school by the name "Dharmodaya Nursery School" in the old premises of the Vihar is also being un there.

Flower Nurseries:

Kalimpong is an important flower producing city in India. It has over 40 nurseries producing flowers like Orchids and Gladiolas. Kalimpong produces over 80% of Gladiolas in the country. Flowers are exported from here to the cities in northern India. Sri Ganesh Moni Nursery and Udai Moni Nursery are two important nurseries here. A Flower Festival is held in the month of October.

Swiss Welfare Dairy and Central Sericulture Station

About four km from the town towards the Teesta and just above the Central Sericulture Station is the Co-operative Dairy called the Swiss Welfare Dairy. Also worth visit is the The State Sericulture Department which has taken up an expanding programme of mulberry cultivation in Darjeeling Hills. Following in the footsteps of India's preceptors, medicinal plants are being cultivated among the Rauwalfa Serpentina, Digitalia, Puipa Belladona etc. They are a delight to visit to for socialist as well as nature lovers.

Apart from the above locations within this beautiful city, the following places too can be visited as short excursions:

Gitdabling - Budhabare

Budhabare roughly meaning Wednesday is a weekly market located at Gitabdling, in the valley of Git River. Every Wednesday the tribals assemble to sell their produce and purchase itmes of daily need. It is a great opportunity to study local tribal culture, ways of life and dressing by visiting these markets. The valley of Git river , at an altitude of 1400mts in itself is a scenic countryside with forests, streams with clean water, terraced cultivation and Old style homes. It offers and ideal atmosphere for trekking amongst the old Lephca Houses, Vllage pubs, Church and Gompa.

Lolegaon - Kafer

Located about 54 kms from Kalimpong town, Lolegaon is A forest region with exotic flora, unusual serenit. The a sunrise view of Jhandi Dara rivals the view from Tiger Hill. Accommodation is available at forest rest house and tents.

Lava

Located about 30kms from the Kalimpong Town , at an altitude of 2000 mts, on a pass astride the old trade route to Bhutan, Lava is a small hamlet. Surrounded by virgin forests, it is ideal for nature exploration, bird watching, and for viewing orchids in their natural habitat. You can go to Sherpa View Point for excellent views of the snow ranges of the Chola Range.Lava is also the base for exploring the Neora Valley,you can go upto the 3152 m high Rachela Pass on the junction with Sikkim and Bhutan. It also serves as a base for Treks to Samthar plateau. Lava and the Neora Valley National Park are birders' paradise; some of India's most sought-after birds are found here.

Neora National Park

Spread over 88 sq kms area, Neora National Park is a semi-evergreen forests with altitude between 1600 m and 2700 m  and is home of several rare species of birds, mammals and flora. Large part of the Neora National Park is still inaccessible, at times due to the density of its forests comprising dense woody trees, bamboo groves, colourful canopy of Rhododendron trees and oak trees. This national park is one of the most bio diverse park in East India, the height varying from 1600 mts to 2700 mts ensuring that the flora ranges from broad leaved tropical plants to the coniferous plants of higher altitude. It most famous for its population of Red Panda apart from other mammals like clouded leopard, musk dear, Himalayan Black bear, sloth bear, Himalayan Flying squirrel etc. It is also a paradise for the bird watchers with some of the rarest of the words found here like Rufous-throated Partridge, Satyr Tragopan, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker apart from many other birds (around 700 species). 

Apart from the above attractions, Kalimpong also serves as base for many an adventure activities including trekking, River rafting at River Teesta or enjoying the journey on samco ropeway, giving you a birds eye view of Teesta river valley , some 120 kms down.

Kalimpong weather is pleasant throughout the year, with maximum temperature never crossing 30 degree celsius. March to May is the summer season and best to visit. June to October is the monsoon season, best to be avoided due to multiple landslides. December to February is extremely cool, with the night temperatures touching sub zero.

Kalimpong is accessible through road, rail and air. The nearest airport to Kalimpong is Bagdogra, which is 80kms away, nearest railhead New Jalpaiguri is 77kms. Both of them offer accessibility to the rest of the India with direct trains/flights to Delhi and Kolkata.