One of the earliest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries is the YigaCheoling it Old Ghoom Monastery in Darjeeling, which is located at a lofty elevation of 8000 feet. In the year 1850, Lama Sherab Gyatso founded the Ghoom Monastery Darjeeling. The Yellow Hat Sect, also known as Gelpuka, is a portion of which this temple is a part. These individuals revere “Maitreya Buddha” or “the arrival to Buddha.” In the building’s main hall, there is a 15-foot Maitreya Buddha.
This statue was transported from Tibet and is composed completely of mud. The second head of the monastery, Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche, oversaw the construction of this statue. The premises also contain a number of rare Buddhist manuscripts. Outside the monastery, the magnificent and breathtakingKanchenjunga Mountain is a treat for visitors. The flags of prayer are flown by the monks in accordance with Tibetan custom.
One can observe various Buddha Deities and Lamas through YigaCheoling. like the compassionate Buddha, Chenrezig, and Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupka Sect. Two oil lamps are hung in front of Maitreya Buddha and remain lit throughout the year. The monastery’s walls are painted and decorated with numerous representations of Buddhism and bodhisattvas.
Another monastery called SamtenCholing Monastery is next to the Ghoom monastery. People frequently confuse this with the monastery, so if you want to go to Ghoom Monastery, let the local guide know where you want to go and they’ll take you there
To tour the entire Monastery, allow yourself at least one to two hours. The entrance is free; however, you must pay Rs. 10 if you want to use a camera. You must pay 50 rupees if you want to take a video inside. Visitors are welcome at the monastery from 9 am to 6 pm.
About 8 miles separate the Ghoom Monastery from the Darjeeling town. The drive to the monastery through Hill Cart Road from the Darjeeling town centre takes about 30 minutes. You must make a right turn into a winding road and proceed down it until you reach the Ghoom railway station. At the end of this road is the monastery. The Ghoom Railway Station is ten minutes away by foot.
