KALIMPONG

Blessed with a salubrious climate that remains delightfully temperate throughout the year, Kalimpong exudes a bucolic charm that sets it apart from other more well known hill stations. Its is famous for its weekly markets, its orchid nurseries and a relaxed manner of life which provides harried city dwellers with plenty of opportunities to sit and stare. 

HANUMAN MANDIR AND DURGA TEMPLE

These temples are located on a ridge behind Deolo Hill and provide spectacular view of the Sikkim

Hills and beyond them the Himalayas on side and the Kafer Hill and Relli Valley on the other.

MANGAL DHAM

The temple was constructed in 1993 by Shri Krishna Pranami, a Hindu Sect and in the memory of late Guru Shri 108 Mangaldasji. Sprawling over an area of 2 acres of wiided land, this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Numerous pilgrims visit this shrine every year.

DURPIN DARA

This Dara or top hill towers over Kalimpong and provides breathtaking views all around. The rolling plains if Siliguri, the Teesta and Rangit Valley, the panorama of the Kanchendzonga and the Chol Range, the Nathula Pass and the Tiger Hill are some of the prominent sights that can be enjoyed from here.

THE GOLF COURSE 

This 18 hole golf course that is run by Army Golf Club is located at Durbin. Through patronised by the Indian Army Officers stationed at Kalimpong, civilians too can avail of its membership on the completion of certain formalities. The well maintained and picturesque course with its sharply undulating greens makes for a challenging field.

ZONG DOG PALRI FO-BRANG MONASTERY

Renowned as Durpin Monastery, was Build in the mid-1970s, the monastery was consecrated by the Dalai Lama. It houses inpressive wall paintings and a rare three-dimensional mandala (a Hindu or Buddhist grapic symbol of the universe). From this monastery, one can ger a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding areas.

THARPA CHLOLING MONASTERY 

Considered to be the oldest Tibetan Monastery in India, the Tharpa Chloling is located at Tirpai Hill near Dr. Graham's Homes. The monastery belongs to the Yellows-Hat or Gelugpa sect and has an invaluable collection of rare Buddhist manuscripts and Thangkas. It also inparts religious training to young Buddhist novices.

GAURIPUR HOUSE 

The Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore spend many summers in this house located 2km from Kalimpong town. In 1940 he recited his poem 'Janmadin' from this bangalow through a telephone hook-up with the All India Radio.

CENTRAL SERI-CULTURE STATION 

The State Sericulture Department at Kalimpong 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, Purpurea, Atropa, Acuminata, Atropa Belladona etc.

DEOLO HILL

At 5500 feet Deolo is the highest point in Kalimpong and provides a wonderful panoramic view of Himalayas. The entire hill is well landscaped with sitting areas, gazebos and view points. A tourist lodge with restaurant and rooms offers basic and deluxe amenities to tourists. Private operators have recently begun providing 15 minute to 30 minute paragliding flight from here. the longer flight takes one to Relli river 10km down hill.

 KALIMPONG ARTS AND CRAFT CENTRE

The Centre is within walking distance from the motor stand. The handicrafts of this Co-operative Handicrafts Centre received wide recognition all over the country. Some of the things made are tapestry bag, purses, pictorial wall panels, screens, embroidered bags, scrolls etc. Work is done on Bhutanese, Lepchas and Sikkimese disigned cloth which is manufactured at this centre.

KALIMPONG SCIENCE CENTRE 

This must be one of the most beautifully located centres for the popularization of science in the country. Situated in a verdant and grassy slope a short distance away from Deolo Hill, it commands a majestic and panoramic view of the mountains. The centre houses a number of scientific instruments, displays and activities-both indoors and outdoors, that mix education with fun. Recent additions are a Zorb ball and Celestron telescopes.

SAMCO ROPEWAY

Located 20 km from Kalimpong on the highway to Siliguri, this ropeway was constructed by Christain Missionaries to open up the remote Samthar Suruk region with its predominant Lepcha population. The rope way spans 1.5 km over both the Teesta and Reli rivers. Its is a breathtaking ride 120 feet over the waters of the river, with unusual views.

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