Darjeeling Ghum Monastery – A Peaceful Abode Overlooking the Himalayas

Highlight on Ghum Monastery

Ghum Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism

Address: Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal – 734102

Timing: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

Time required: Two hours

Entry Fee: Free (tickets for still or video camera required)

Affiliation: Tibetan Buddhism (Gelug Sect)

Founded by: Lama Sherab Gyatso

Date of establishment: 1875

Located on the ridges of the mighty Kanchenjunga, Darjeeling is a gem of a hill station. One of the popular tourist destinations of Eastern India, this small town has been attracting travelers for more than two centuries. Darjeeling and its attractions, the colonial architecture, exciting toy train, and the majestic 8,598 meters (28,209 feet) high Kanchenjunga can fill refresh your soul.

Darjeeling, although a small town, is popular for its stunning Buddhist monasteries and shrines. The Yiga Choeling Gompa or the Ghoom Monastery, Darjeeling (also spelled as Ghum Monastery) receives the highest number of tourist footfalls. Established in the mid 19th century, the monastery is decorated with beautiful Tibetan-themed murals and a five-meter high statue of Maitreya (Future Buddha) – was made from the clay brought from Tibet.

The monastery is very close to the Ghoom railway station that makes it easily accessible to travelers. This write-up focuses on some of the known and unknown features of this stunning landmark, offering you the chance to peek at the Himalayas.

Buddhism and Its history in India

Incidentally, Buddhism was born in the Indian subcontinent – after Prince Siddhartha of Lumbini attained spiritual enlightenment and spread his knowledge among his disciples. These followers of Buddha became wandering monks and spread the message of Buddha in the different parts of the country and nearby areas.

Simple and easy to follow principles of Buddha to attain inner peace gained huge popularity among the people. With time the Buddhist philosophies and ideologies developed and branched out. The three main division of Buddhism were Theravada Buddhism (still dominant in Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand), Tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism (very similar to Tibetan Buddhism), and Mahayana Buddhism (had an effect of the form of Buddhism practiced in Korea, China, and Japan).

The Buddhist monastery were the places where men and women, people who choose to live the life of an aesthetic, engaged in praying and learning. These institutions were the spiritual focus of the nearby village and town. In Buddhism, the goal of every individual was to break the cycle of Life and Death and attain Moksha (liberation).

The Ghum Monastery, Darjeeling belongs to the Gelugpa (The Yellow Hats) sects of Buddhism – one of the most recent schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The sect is led by His Holiness Dalai Lama, and the monks under this wing of Tibetan Buddhism wear a detailed crescent-shaped headgear during important religious ceremonies.

Architecture of Ghum Monastery, Darjeeling

Ghum Monastery, built in 1850, is probably the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the region. Another religious institution, the Samten Choling Monastery, is sometimes referred to as the Ghoom monastery by the locals. If you are planning on visiting this ancient landmark, just tell your tour guide or cab driver you want to visit the old Ghum Monastery.

The architecture of this religious institution would remind you of Tibet. The arches and multiple spires on the roof, some archetypal East Asian features, making this monastery look quite fascinating. As you enter the temple, you will be greeted by several images of important Buddhist deities, important spiritual figures, and older Lamas.

Inside the main praying hall, you will find the giant statue of Buddha named as Gyalwa Shampa or Maitreya Buddha. The term Gyalwa Shampa refers to Buddha of who will come to earth in the future. Interestingly, the statue is one of the biggest in the region and was made from the clay brought from Tibet. Two huge oil lamps adorn the prayer hall, each placed on either side of the Buddha, which are kept burning all year round. These lamps and the peaceful ambiance of the praying hall fill your mind and soul with peace, which cannot be defined in words.

Apart from the Buddha statue, Ghum Monastery, Darjeeling has a huge collection of murals and ancient manuscripts, making this place a treasure trove of information. And, the view is simply breathtaking – snow-capped mountains. On a clear day, you can even catch the glimpse of the mighty Kanchenjunga.

Etiquettes to Remember While Visiting a Buddhist Monastery

1. Clothes that cover your body

Weather in Darjeeling is quite comfortable bordering on the chilly side, so wearing shorts and tee are out of question. However, remember a monastery is a sacred place and it is advisable to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.

2. Take off your shoes

Taking off your shoes is a common courtesy before entering temples and must be followed at all costs. According to locals, it is a mark of respect to the lord.

3. Bow before Buddha

Do pay your respect to Buddha, just take a bow and kneel before the Maitreya. That is enough.

4. Make small donation

It is believed that donating brings in good karma. So do put in some coins inside the donation box. Also, the Ghum Monastery in Darjeeling is extremely cash strapped and runs on the donations from the locals and tourists. Your contribution might prove helpful to the monks.

What Next?

If the Ghoom Monastery has attracted your attention, then here are some other monasteries in the region that are equally stunning.

· Dali Monastery

Belonging to the Kargyupa sect of Buddhism, the Dali Monastery is well-known for its peaceful spiritual ambiance.

· Samten Choling Monastery

Another popular destination Buddhist monastery of Darjeeling, people often confuse this place with the old Ghum Monastery.

· Aloobari Monastery

Also referred to as Mak Dhog Monastery, this place is famous for its stunning architecture. Besides this, the place has idols of Buddha and the sage Padmasambhava (the person who took Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet).

Exploring the stunning monuments of Darjeeling is a pleasurable experience. Ghum Monastery Darjeeling is one such place where you can feel engulfed in the embrace of the mighty mountains.