Yiga Choeling Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ghum, India
Yiga Choeling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the hill town of Darjeeling, situated at about 2,400 meters elevation. The grounds contain religious buildings with traditional roofs, shrines with statues, and collections of ancient texts where monks practice their daily rituals.
A Mongolian monk named Sokpo Sherab Gyatso founded the monastery in 1850, establishing it as the first Tibetan Buddhist center of its kind in the Darjeeling region. The site grew over time to become an important hub for the Tibetan Buddhist community in the eastern Himalayan foothills.
Visitors and local devotees come here to pray and make offerings, especially during Losar and other Buddhist festivals. The rooms display colorful prayer flags, murals, and sacred objects that reflect the spiritual life of those who gather here.
The monastery is located about 8 kilometers from Darjeeling and is open to visitors daily, but wear sturdy shoes as the path involves uphill walking. An extra fee applies if you wish to photograph the interior, particularly the religious objects and artwork.
Two large oil lamps burn continuously throughout the year in front of the Buddha statue, maintaining an ancient light tradition. This unbroken flame is one of the most visible signs of the monastery's ongoing spiritual dedication.
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