Bhutan House

About Bhutan House, West Bengal

Bhutan House is a holding which is in West Bengal state in the Kalimpong town. The Dorji family of Bhutan city is its owner. The view of the Bhutan House is having a traditional site named Dzong which is for the southern part of Bhutan. During the early years of collaboration of the modern kingdom of Bhutan, it also served as an administrative center for the entire western Bhutan. The relationship was represented between British India and Bhutan by it. It also represented the symbol of Bhutan-India modern relations

It is the residence of the Queen, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck who was the current Bhutanese’s king’s grandmother, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck.

History

In 1865, the land of the Bhutan House was transferred to British India from Bhutan at the time of Bhutan Wars conclusion and also at the time of treaty of Sinchula. In 1916, the same land was made Darjeeling’s Subdivision as a result of which it became the hill stations part.

In 1910, Sir Charles Alfred Bell who was the political officer of Sikkim and also a Tibetologist got engaged with Bhutan and the treaty of Punakha was signed by him along with the agreements which were related to the land assignment in the town of Motithang (Thimphu) along with the hill station which was between Thimphu and Chukha hill stations to the Britishers and a also a part of Kalimpong to the state of Bhutan. It also doubled the subsidy per year of Bhutan from Britain.

The Bhutan house was contrasted for the purpose of hosting Dalai Lama, thirteenth by the Dorjis. Chogley Yeshey Ngodrup blessed the grounds of the Bhutan House while he was returning from his pilgrimage in Bodhgaya.

Due to the ties with the Wangchuck family and the British, the Dorji family came into power. To mediate and converse between Tibet and the British, the first future king was advised by Kazi Dorji. And Kazi Dorji was held responsible later for the inducement of Nepalis into Bhutan on the large scale. At the time of prominence of the Dorji family at the early year’s duration, the members of the family were served as Gongzim who was the chief chamberlain which is the top post of government. The official residence of the members was the Bhutan house.

Architecture

The Bhutan House is protected by the fencing and it has a driveway. It a double story of stone foundation built in the Victorian style. The lawns are featured by a small stupa which has Ayi Thubten Wangmo’s ashes and Rani Chuni’s white colored chorten. The Bhutan house is besides the River Relli which is beneath the Deep valley.

The interior of the Bhutan house is made up of dark wood. There is a dining and a sitting room on the very first floor for the guests. On the above floor there are bedrooms and dressing rooms of the family. There are Bhutanese Chodems which are carved tables, books, woven material and artifacts kept well-furnished in the late Rani Chuni’s room.

There are many rooms in the house which includes a big hall on every floor. There is also a separate kitchen which is of two stories connected by a small bridge to the main structure. There is also Buddhist temple known as Ihakhang on the premises.

Best Time to Visit

To explore the culture and the heritage of the city with full enjoyment and enthusiasm, it is best to visit the place during the months of September and October.

How to Reach

The Kalimpong city is in West Bengal and it has all the means of transport available from the city to reach the Bhutan house which are discussed as below.

By Rail

The new Jalpaiguri railway station is the closest and the nearest railway station from Kalimpong which is located at a distance of 67 kilometers. There is an easy availability of cabs outside the station and the trains connect to most of the cities around the world.

By Air

The Bagdogra airport is the nearest one which is near Siliguri, situated 79 km far from the city Kalimpong. The taxis take around 1500 rupees to reach Kalimpong from the airport. The airport has good connectivity for both domestic and international countries around India and also abroad. From Delhi and Kolkata, the visitors can board the domestic flights.

By Road

The city has a good road transport system with the availability of bus services. Both private and state buses commute from Kalimpong city to various places and it is easy to reach the Bhutan house from the bus station.

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