Yiga Choeling Monastery in Ilam

Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet (4.6 m)-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was head of the monastery until 1905.For the last two decades, the monastery has been going through severe crises in terms of both monks and finance. Till now, the grants-in-aid entitled to the monastery have not been received either from the government nor from any other source. Presently the monastery is meeting its needs through donations and contributions from local devotees.

Nothing special. Ordinary monastery. Tour operators just added it to increase the list. Avoid this place.Note about Darjeeling local sight seeing : in local sight seeing these are major placed - zoo, ropeway, batasia loop, rock garden, tiger hill and Japanese temple For this tour operators charge too much during season. Tiger hill and batasia loop is enjoyable during clear sunny weather. One has to visit tiger hill at 5am. On returning they will stop at batasia loop and ghum monastery. For these you have to hire car. For zoo and ropeway I am suggesting you two way. First, you can walk. From chowrasta (mallto zoo it is just 2 km. No uphill walk. Plain n downhill. So easy. You can check the route in Google map. Very easy. From zoo ropeway is just 1km downhill and plain. While returning take local share taxi which is just Rs. 25 per head.Second way, you go to local taxi stand opposite Darjeeling sadar police station or nbstc stand. From there take local share taxi and get down at zoo.If you do not want to visit tiger hill but want to go batasia loop, take local share taxi which goes to ghoom and get down at batasia loop. You will get it at main road.This will save lots of money which the tour operators just snatch from you.

Known as ghoom Monastery. Its a must visit down from tiger Hill. Look at magnificent Buddha and have a sip of tea. But local stuff at good price lower than those in the great markets

It is beautiful. Not only the structure also the position and weather, just beautiful.

Very beautiful and calm . Super exciting to see in Darjeeling. Only 20 rs entry fees

A spiritual vibe was present. Good shops for souvenirs.

Holy and serene place. Very big statue of lord Buddha

The Ghoom monastery must be the cleanest & calmest place I found in Darjeeling. Beautiful place at hills lap.Clear views of mountains. Floating clouds all around the monastery just makes it mesmerising.The buddha murti so handsomely made.You are not allowed to take photos inside the monastery. But you can still capture photo from outside the restricted zone.

One of the oldest monastery. Estd. 1850

Magical elevated 19C Tibetan Buddhist monastery Buddhist temple 15 Buddha statue Sacred texts Yiga Choeling Monastery Darjeeling W Bengal India Asia.

Visiting Timings : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMTime Required : 1 - 2 hrsGhoom MonasteryAt a grand elevation of 8,000 feet, the Yiga Choeling or old Ghoom Monastery is the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Darjeeling. Established in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, this shrine is part of the Yellow Hat sect known as Gelupka who worship the Coming Buddha or Maitreyi Buddha. A 15-foot high statue of Maitreyi Buddha is seen in the central hall, made entirely of clay brought from Tibet. This statue was installed during the tenure of the second head of the monastery Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche. One can also find many rare Buddhist manuscripts within the premises. Visitors are treated to a beautiful view of the majestic Kanchenjunga outside the monastery. Prayer flags are flown by the resident monks in typical Tibetan tradition.Within Yiga Choeling, one can view images of many Buddha deities and lamas such as the Chenrezig, Buddha of compassion, and Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelupka sect. In front of the Maitreya Buddha statue hang two huge oil lamps which keep burning throughout the year. The walls of the monastery are elaborately painted with depictions and art of Tibetan Buddhism, with different images of bodhisattvas. These beautiful paintings are placed in a symmetrical manner, facilitating the ease of understanding the basics of Buddhist philosophy to visitors of the monastery. The hilltop above the monastery holds the Ma Kali temple, where devotees come to offer prayer every full moon day and on the fifteenth of every month of the Tibetan calendar.

Its a sacred place for Buddhist. Located near Batasia Loop in Darjeeling. There is a huge Budhha Idol inside the monastery.This is also know as Old Ghoom Monastery.

Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. Must visit place in Darjeeling.

This is one of the older Monastery in West Bengal. Approach road is very narrow, but a good tourist spot

Another good place to visit when youre at Darjeeling. But now its closed for tourist because of Covid.

The word monastery bring a sense of peace in our minds.. covered in a curtain of clouds, the cold wind blowing at our face, the sound of the prayer wheels..

The happiness after being here is unexplainableAmazing place500m from ghoom railway station with short roadsDue to covid its closed but you can view things from outside

Once in a life time all must visitWhat a peaceful atmosphere. And the positive vibesCalm positive peaceful filled with happiness

Serene and quiet place located in Ghum around 7kms from Darjeeling. A quick visit can be refreshing

Sightseeing in India doesnt get much better than what youll discover in Darjeeling. The hill station in West Bengal is beloved for its lush green tea plantations, awe-inspiring snow-capped peaks (including Khangchendzonga, the worlds third-highest mountain), and serene Buddhist monasteries. This is the perfect place to arrange a mountain trek or mountain biking adventure.One of the most popular things to do in Darjeeling is taking a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Powered by an antique steam locomotive, the 140-year-old "Toy Train" takes tourists on two-hour fun rides from Darjeeling to Ghum—a journey thats regularly counted as one of the most scenic train rides in the world

Good location, very peaceful place.

Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet (4.6 m)-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was head of the monastery until 1905.

Yiga Choeling Monastery or Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of the Yiga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom at an elevation of 8,000 feet, it is around 8 km from Darjeeling town and is the first ever Tibetan Buddhist monastery to be built in the Darjeeling region.It was established in the year 1850 CE by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was the head of the monastery until 1905 CE. The Monastery belongs to Gelugpa or the Yellow Hat sect. This is the first ever Tibetan Buddhist monastery to be built in the Darjeeling region. During the Chinese occupation of 1959 in Tibet many high ranking monks fled to India and took refuge in this monastery.

Very beautiful place. Very welcoming.

Mostly known as Ghoom Monastery, near Ghoom station

Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet (4.6 m)-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was head of the monastery until 1905.In 1909, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang, popularly called Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche, succeeded Sherab Gyatso as the head. It was he who commissioned the statue of the Maitreya Buddha, and he remained head until 1952.During the Chinese occupation of 1959 in Tibet many high ranking abbots fled to India and took refuge in the monastery. In 1961, Dhardo Rimpoche became head of the Yiga Choeling monastery Ghoom, Darjeeling. He died in 1990 and three years later, a boy named Tenzin Legshad Wangdi was recognised as his reincarnation.On 25 April 1996, he was enthroned at Kalimpong Tibetan ITBCI school. The thirteenth in the line of Tulkus, Tenzin Legshad Wangdi, still goes by the name of Dhardo Tulku. He is studying Tibetan Philosophy at Drepung Loseling University in South India.Under the supervision of Dhardo Rimpoche, the Managing Committee was set up in order to improve the monastery. Some of the initiatives have been successful, others not.For the last two decades, the monastery has been going through severe crises in terms of both monks and finance. Till now, the grants-in-aid entitled to the monastery have not been received either from the government nor from any other source. Presently the monastery is meeting its needs through donations and contributions from local devotees.

Firstly it is a quiet place. However, it is a small monastery if you are comparing it with Rumtek in Gangtok.

Beautiful place to be. Oldest monastry here in darjeeling. founded in 19th century. Walk towards it from Ghum Station in winters and you will feel blessed. Right next to Sterling so if yu are staying there, great.

It was a small but oldest monestary. it is of different sect from dali monestary which have different means of offering and praying.

This monastery is one of the oldest in Darjeeling. It was established in 1850 by a Mongolian astrologer. It is one of the few monasteries that house the seated version of the Buddha rather than the lotus mudra and is referred to as the Maitreya Buddha or the (secondComing Buddha.

Its is one of the oldest monastery in Darjeeling built in 1805 by Mongolian astrologer many tour divers dont take tourist to this monastery instead they take them to another monastery by the highway as this monastery is located quite inside from the highway. Do visit to take blessings of maitryea buddha..

The oldest monastery in Darjeeling but it is located near ghoom, a 5 minute walk from ghoom will reach you thereThe monastery consists of Maitreya Buddha its a 4.6 feet statueIf you want to click photos inside the monastery you will be charged Rs 100The monastery is not in good shape due to lack of fundsJust below the monastery is the dead people burning ghatOld Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet (4.6 m)-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was head of the monastery until 1905.

Its a really beautiful monastery in Darjeeling worth visiting.

One of the oldest Monastery in Darjeeling. It is situated in peaceful and beautiful landscape just 15 minutes walk from Ghoom Railway Station. We can see religious God and Goddess paintings believed by Buddhism inside which can give spiritual power to one who prays there with clean heart. From the compound of Monastery on a clear day one can have a scenery of hills all around which is great for nature lovers.

Very peaceful and enchanting place. Itll surely detoxify your mind and body of every sure and put an aura of zen around you. A must visit when youre in Darjeeling.

Unity in diversity in India is awesome

It is the oldest monastery of ghoom.I think most of the traveller dont know about this place, they might think the Dali monastery as groom yoga choeling monastery... Its is about 2km from the main road very peaceful and not crowded

I belong to the region where this Historic Monastery is situated. My review is for travellers from outside..Please dont fall for other monasteries enroute Darjeeling. This historic monastery is situated at the hilltop of Ghoom just Below Sterling Resorts Hotel ( not on the NH55). Please keep yourself informed to visit the right place.

Peaceful environment. The oldest monastery in the Darjeeling

Excellent for people who want to discover Buddhist spirituality in Darjeeling.Being the oldest monastery in Darjeeling it is perfectly designed originally by a Mongolian astrologer monk.This old monastery also hosts cremation rituals and has been a cremation ground for many buddhist families for many generations.

It is One of the spot on full day sightseeing at Darjeeling which is starting from tiger hill. After early morning sunrise at Tiger hill next stop is Yoga Chirping Monastery which is popularly known as old Ghoom monastery. It is having a 15 feet statue of Maitreya Buddha. During the Chinese occupation of Tibet many high ranking abbots fled to India and stayed in monastery.

Upscale place and good monastery. 1km walk from Ghoom railway station. We took toy train from Darjeeling station upto Ghoom station and took a walk upto this place. And then taken a shared van back to Darjeeling hotel.....!

Excellent for people who want to discover Buddhist spirituality in Darjeeling.Being the oldest monastery in Darjeeling it is perfectly designed originally by a Mongolian astrologer monk.This old monastery also hosts cremation rituals and has been a cremation ground for many buddhist families for many generations.

Oldest Monastery of Darjeeling area built in 1850. Beautiful murals and Buddha statue. Quite and calm place. Photography chargeable.Approach lane from main road is broken. Generally taxi drivers of Darjeeling do not bring tourists here so you will have to tell them specifically to take you there.

As you enter it from road the gate look too good. There are few steps to reach the actual monastery. On the way upstairs there are classes for the monks. As we reach the top the view of monestry is beautiful, colourful monestry mesmerize the eyes. Very beautiful place

Ghoom Monastery oldest Buddhist Temple in Darjeeling west bengal.Ghoom monestery is the popular name of the Yoga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom stan elevation of 8000 feet 8kms away from Darjeeling. First Tibetan Buddhist Monestery in Darjeeling.

Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha.Y ou can visit it on your way back to Tiger Hill.

A beautiful, holy place of worship for devotees of Buddhism, you can visit Ghoom Monastery on your way back to Tiger Hill or from the Ghoom station itself. A quaint, little Monastery with a lovely, tranquil surrounding- you can offer a prayer here by lighting a lamp near the altar. It’s a good place to buy souvenirs, but only after you do some serious bargaining.

This is one of the best monasteries you can visit. Being 168 years old there is this old world charm to it. The resident idol is Lord Maitreya which is 15 ft high. When you stand in front of the statue you are just mesmerized but its sheer magnificence.A must visit for those who are looking for a solitude time from the mundane life.

It is a buddhist temple.... lot of people are coming here to pray and enjoy the beauty of this temple....