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Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayans, Kalimpong
town itself is the headquarters of the sub-division.
Kalimpong compares favourably with the other hill stations
of India - advantaged with its moderate climate, good
residential facilities, electric supply, schools and
hospitals with relaxed surroundings atmosphere and magnificent
panoramic views.
Kalimpong town is scattered along a ridge saddle at
an average elevation of 1150 mts o 1450 mts - with the
best vantage view points being the two hill tops of
Deolo
( 1704 mts) &
Durpin
(1372 mts) a short distances North & South of town respectively.
The view facing due south east is of the rolling hills
merging with the plains of South Western 'Doors' of
Bhutan & India (Jalpiguri plains) ; Facing East - we
see the commence of the Rangola Range of Bhutan , Richa
la ( 3152 mts ) of
Neora Valley National Park
- Kalimpongs tri-junction point with Bhutan , Sikkim
& West Bengal ; Facing North East - direct view of the
2 Tibetan (Chinese ) passes into India through Sikkim)
Jelep la ( 4702 mts ) & Nathu la ( 4649 mts ) into the
Chumbi Valley of Tibet ; Facing north a chink visible
of Gangtok town ( mts ) & the entire 180 ° pararnomic
view of the
Choten Nigna range of Sikkim Himalayas with
Kanchenjunga massif peaking at 8,686 mts., to claim
worlds 3rd highest peak - Guardian deity of Sikkim,
in its majestic towering height- floats over the clouds
with other giants like Kabru 7338 , Pandim 6691 & Siniolchu
6888 mts; Facing North west the Eastern Nepal Himalayas
; Facing West - the commencement of the Singali la range
- Phalut ( 3596 mts ) the Tri junction of Nepal , Sikkim
& Darjeeling Hills, Kurshong's merger with the plains
of Siliguri ; Facing South - Kalimpong sub division
hills merging with the Bengal plains of Siliguri .
Side
seeing in & around Kalimpong
:
 Twice
a week there is a very interesting gathering on Wednesdays
and Saturdays in the main market place haat bazar. The
convergence of the sellers from rural ethnic groups
in their traditional dresses and costumes makes this
weekly haats charming.
Cottage industries
managed by people of Tibetan origin manufacturing noodles
& incense sticks.
Silver smiths
mostly the Newars ( Sakyas ) & Kamies communities can
be seen working on ethnic hand-crafted items.
Kalimpong is the
wholesale market - supplying Tibetan Buddhist religious
& cultural items to the Eastern Himalayas
The Cottage Industry
manufacturing Handmade paper & it's by products is best
in the region.
There are many Religious institutes, schools & spaces
are dotted around Kalimpong ,all of which have played
an important part towards the development of Kalimpong.
Interestingly - many are almost adjacent to each other,
living in great harmony.
Tours & short hikes :
Delho view point
& picnic spot in the beautifully landscaped Garden of
the luxury tourist lodge
Durpin view point & visit to 'Zang Dhok Palri Phodang'
Ningpa kargu Buddhist Monastery, built in 1976.
Floricultural
nurseries specializing in cacti , foliage plants , Seed
culture , Orchids & Plants for Cut-flowers.
Diary's producing Cottage cheese - the Swiss method.
Adventure
& eco tourism:
Slowly but steadily Adventure & eco friendly tourism
is seeping into Kalimpong's programme. Trekking and
rafting have already been introduced and adventure
lovers from all over the world are all very excited
at the prospect of a whole new area opening up for them.
Picnic posts on
the river banks of Teista , Reyang & Relly are great
for a days outing or night camping sits
Rafting is done
on the Teista river.
Trekking into
the Neora Valley National park is an adventure. It is
the oldest reserve forest in India & the only remaining
representative sample of moist deciduous monsoon forest
of West Bengal Himalayas.
Venture walks to the ethnic villages in deep rural areas
like - Gumba Dara, Gitdubling - Budhabare & Suruk -
Shamthar, is a delighting.
Religious
instittutes & spaces:
Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries
of all the 3 sects of Gelupa, Ningpa & Kurgupa are dotted
around Kalimpong. ·
The oldest being
'Tongsa Gumba' built in the heart of town - sometime
during the last quarter of the 17th Century by the Bhutanese
Kargu sect. Some estimate it was completed in the year
1692.
'Tharpacholing' 1 /12 km from town on Thripi Hill is
a Gelupa sect Monastery built in 1962.
'Zang Dhok Palri Phodang' 3 kms from town at Durpin
Hill top ( also a view point ) is a Ningpa sect Monastery,
built in 1976. These are to name a few.
Christina Missionary have contribute
significantly to Kalimpong society.
MacFarlane Church
& Scotties University Missionary Institute (SUMI) established
in 1887 is just above the town - imparts education from
primary level till high school to over 5,000 boys.
Dr Grahams Homes,
established in the year 1900 is a 500 acre - self contained
school located on the lower slopes of Deolo hill (also
a view point & picnic spot in the well established landscaped
garden of the Tourist Lodge).
2 kms off Kalimpong
town is the Roman Catholic church for the local catholic
community , schools & establishments of - St. Augustans
( boys ) school , St Josephs ( Girls ) Convent & St.
Philomena ( girls ) school , The Culinary Girls Collage
, Noviciate for Sisters & Mend Rasa for brothers, are
all within the vicinities expansive area.
Mother Teresa's
missionary of Charity Church & Shelter for the poor,
on the Relly road just below town
Adjacent to it
is the Elsadhi church of
Hindu temples
Kali Mandir - temple
of Goddess Kali is much visited by the Bengali & other
Hindus ( mostly east Indian ) community is 500 meters
ahead of the Roman catholic church.
Thakur Bari -
a general Hindu temple housing a host of Hindu gods
& goddesses is in the heart of town - below the State
Bankl of India
Mangal Dham is one of the most splendid Hindu Temples
in Northern India belonging to the followers of the
Shri Krishna Pranami Dharma.
In the main town is the Muslim
Moask
The one moosks is located in the heart of town - just
below the Hindu temple of ' tharket Bari '
Local Cottage industries
In 7th Mile ,
Rishi road ( towards Tista river) - Papu's Diary makes
cottage cheese & lollypop. The owner & workers of this
cottage industry were originally traines in the Swiss
diary by father Butte. "DGH"
Agriculture and Industries
Agriculture is
the main occupation of the people. The crop grown includes
maize, millet and rice. Cinchona, potatoes, oranges,
cardamoms besides a large variety of vegetables is grown
with success. The wonderful climate is not only suitable
but also very conducive to countless species of plants
that abound in these hills; one has to visit the world
famous the nurseries of Kalimpong to see and believe.
With the passage of time even foreign countries and
multinationals are now pouring into Kalimpong to exploit
its floriculture resources.
Educational
Facilities :
Kalimpong has a very good reputation for being an excellent
educational centre. The initial steps to promote education
in the area were taken by the missionaries particularly
the Scots and the Swiss. It was due to their efforts
that today Kalimpong is in a position to offer first
class education to both boys and girls. The Schools
attract a large number of students from Nepal, Bhutan,
Bengal, Bihar, Sikkim, North India and the North Eastern
states.
Traveling to Kalimpong:
From Siliguri : Tourist
coming to Kalimpong via Siliguri can either hire a taxi
or a bus. They are available at New
Jalpaiguri (nearest rail head - 75 kms). Time
taken 3 ½ hrs.
From Bagdogra (nearest
air terminal - 80 kms). Time taken 3 ½ hrs. From Siliguri
town 67 kms.
From Darjeeling : Either
by jeep/bus. Time taken by jeep/car 2 hrs. Distance
55 kms.
From Gangtok (Sikkim) :
Car/jeep/bus. Time taken 3 ½ hrs. Distance 84 kms.
TRANSPORT :-
Holumba is conveniently located on the main highway,
a kilometre ahead of Kalimpong town having own car park
, garage facility & Taxi service. It is a leisurely
10 minutes level walk to town or a 2 minutes drive.
Kalimpong is well connected by metallic roadway. In
addition Kalimpong is also the centrally located town
between Siliguri (Bagdogra Airport & NJP Railway station),
Darjeeling & Gangtok with regular Bus, Jeeps & Van plying
in-between. The chart below is a guideline to travellers
& rates mentioned are NOT fixed but normal approximates
which may fluctuate upon the season & circumstances
during the visit.
From
Kalimpong to : -
Nearest Air Port
' Bagdogra ' - 3 hours drive (via Siliguri by pass)
80 kms .
Nearest Railway
station 'NJP'(New Jalpaiguri) - 3 hours drive (via Siliguri
) 75 kms
Siliguri Metropolis
- 2 ½ hours drive to Kalimpong (68 kms)
Darjeeling Town (via Lopchu & Peshok Tea Estates ) -
2 ½ hours drive to Kalimpong ( 55 kms )
Darjeeling Town (via Mongpong Cinchona Plantation &
Rambi Bazar ) - 4 hours drive to Kalimpong ( kms )
Gangtok Town -
Capital of Sikkim ( via Rangpo check post ) - 3 hours
drive to Kalimpong ( 72 kms )
Gezing Town -
District Headquarters West Sikkim ( Sikkim ) - hours
drive to Kalimpong ( kms )
Kafir / Lolay
Gown - via Alagara & Lava forest Villages
Kakarbhitta (
Nepal ) / Panitanki (India ) Border check post - 3 ½
hours drive to Kalimpong ( kms )
Phuntsoling ( Bhutan ) / Jaigoan (India ) Border check
post - 4 ½ hours drive to Kalimpong ( kms )
Van = Petrol - Maruti Suzuki
Vans. Seats 1 in the Front & 2 / 3 in the back ). Has
huge luggage space.
Jeeps = Diseal - Commander
or Marshal Jeeps / TATA Sumo / Tracks. Seats 3 in the
Front , 4 in the second & 2 / 4 in the back. Luggage
space in the roof carrier.
Bus = Diseal - Tata , Mitsubishi
Swaraj Mazda or Toyota DCM.
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