One of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Darjeeling is Yiga Choeling Monastery of Ghoom, the original or the old Ghoom Monastery, built in the year 1850. Samten Choling Monastery in Ghoom is another monastery which is also sometimes referred to as Ghoom Monastery by the local drivers. So if you are planning to visit the original Ghoom Monastery, Yiga Choeling Monastery Darjeeling is the place to visit, be specific and mention old Ghoom Monastery.

From Darjeeling town, Ghoom is about 7km and located at an altitude of about 7,407ft. (or 2,226 meters). The external structure of the Yiga Choeling Monastery was built in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, monk and a famous astrologer. Lama Sherab Gyatso was the first head of the monastery and continued his tenure until 1905. He later went back to his birthplace Tibet.

The 15-foot model of the Lord Buddha known as The Maitreya Buddha or the Gyalwa Shampa meaning the Buddha of the future is one of the key attractions inside the monastery. This statue was created with clay brought from Tibet, One of the biggest and oldest statues of Buddha in the Darjeeling area. There are two huge oil lamps that keep burning all the time and all through the year in front of the Buddha’s statue. During the tenure of the second head of the monastery Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche (1910 – 1952), a 15-foot statue of the Buddha was constructed. He too later went back to Tibet. Inside the Yiga Choeling Monastery, there are images of many Buddha deities and animals such as the Chenrezig (Avalokitesvara), Buddha of compassion, and Tsongkhapa who was the founder of the Gelugpa sect to which the Monastery belongs. There are bells, a huge drum and a large collection of Buddha’s manuscripts inside. The 108-volume Kangyur – The Tibetan Buddhist Gospel is also in the Yiga Choeling Monastery. Yiga Choeling Monastery offers Magnificent views, Facing the monastery if you look towards the left, you get sweeping views of the snow-capped peaks including the Kanchenjunga. There is a charge for taking photographs inside. The cash needs to be dropped into the donation box.

Opening Hours

Yiga Choeling Monastery Darjeeling is open on all days a week from early morning till evening.

Location

From the Darjeeling town, Ghoom Monastery or the Yiga Choeling Monastery is located about 8km and It takes about 30 minutes to reach the monastery by car from Darjeeling town centre. You will need to take a right turn into a narrow road before Ghoom railway station and on the Hill Cart Road (the main road that goes all the way to Siliguri). After about 2-3 minutes drive from there and right at the end, you will find the monastery. The monastery is about 10-12 minutes walk from Ghoom station.

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Yiga Choeling Monastery of Ghoom is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist, the beauty of the monastery is worth enjoying. A place where nobody is there to interrupt your thoughts, Oh now that you might be interested to plan a vacation to Yiga Choeling Monastery Darjeeling, head on to Pickyourtrail, Check some of the best Darjeeling holiday packages and book your getaway now and “leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.” Download the best travel plan from Playstore and IOS