West Bengal Zang Dhok Palri Phodang
Zang Dhok Palri Phodang is one of the well known monasteries in Kalimpong, but came into establishment in the later part of 20th century. It is credited to be the most beautiful and also the largest among the monasteries in this city of West Bengal. Durpin Dara is the name of the peak on which the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang is situated at a height of about 1372 mts. From this point, majestic picturesque sceneries can be visualised of the Kalimpong city and the valley below. Mount Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks are also visible from over this monastery. Dalai Lama consecrated this monastery when he visited Kalimpong in 1976. Another name for the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery is the Lava Monastery. Teesta River flows by the hill on which this monastery is situated.
History
Since the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang monastery is newly built, the buildings look quite fresh, brighter in the backdrop of the snow clad mountains of Kanchenjunga. During the invasion of the Tibet region by the Chinese, rare scriptures where brought into this temple or monastery in 1959, which are known as the Kangyur. Buddhist monks come here for prayers and meditations and reading of the sacred scriptures which are supposedly comprising of 108 volumes.
Reaching There
Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery is situated about 5 kms from the town of Kalimpong, in West Bengal on top of the Durpin hills. Tourists can avail cabs to visit the monastery and have a view of the surrounding hills. Some people also prefer to trek along the path to the monastery, which is supposedly about 40 minutes walk, along the road off KD Pradhan Road.
Kalimpong is about 80 kms from Bagdodara, which has an airport, well connected to major other airports of the country. New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri have the nearest railway stations. Kalimpong has good road communications directly with Kolkata as well as from Guwahati in Assam.
Photo Gallery