Japanese Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling

                                     Japanese Peace Pagoda/Darjeeling

The glistening, white-domed Peace Pagoda has been a landmark in Darjeeling since 1992. The edifice was built in by monks and nuns belonging to the Nipponzan Myohoji sect of Nichiren Buddhism. Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), who founded the religious movement of Nipponzan Myohoji which means "Japanese Mountain Dharma Temple", laid the foundation stone of the pagoda in 1972.

Nipponzan Myohoji has constructed more than 70 peace pagodas in different parts of the world. They exist all around the world mostly in Asia but also in Europe and North America. Born in 1885, Nichidatsu Fujii founded Nipponzan Myohoji in 1924. 

Located on the slopes of the Jalapahar hills of Darjeeling, the Peace Pagoda which is 28.5 metre high has the four incarnations of the Buddha including the Maitreya Buddha.

How to reach Japanese Peace Pagoda

Air: Bagdogra airport near Siliguri in West Bengal is the nearest airport to the Japanese Peace Pagoda which is 80 km from Siliguri.  From the airport, you can hire a taxi that will take you to the Japanese Peace Pagoda. 

Rail: The nearest railway station to the Japanese Peace Pagoda is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in West Bengal which is 86 km from the place. NJP railway station is well-connected to major cities and places in India including New Delhi and Kolkata. 

Road: Good motorable roads connect Japanese Peace Pagoda with all the major places in Darjeeling. 

Best Time to visit Japanese Peace Pagoda

October to March is the best period to visit Japanese Peace Pagoda. 

Ghoom Monasteries

            Yiga Choeling Monastery, Ghoom/Wikipedia

If you want to soak in sacred energy of spiritualism and mysticism in an incredible natural setting, Ghoom in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal is the place to be. 

At an altitude of 8,000 ft, Ghoom is home to a number of monasteries. Chief among them is the Yiga Choling Gompa or Ghoom Gompa as it is popularly called. The monastery comes lauded as the largest in the region. Established in 1850, the Ghoom monastery belongs to the Yellow Sect of Buddhists. Its major highlight is a huge 15-ft tall statue of Jampa or Maitreya Buddha. Maitreya Buddha represents the cult of the future Buddha. 

The beautifully sculpted halls of theYiga Choling monastery are adorned by thangkas and murals. Here you will find ancient palm leaf and paper manuscripts including the Buddhist Tibetan Gospel in 108 volumes. 

Located in close proximity to the Yiga Choling Gompa are the monasteries of Sakya Guru Gompa and Samten Choling Gompa which has a colossal image of the Buddha. 

How to reach Ghoom monastery

Air: Bagdogra airport near Siliguri in West Bengal is the nearest airport to the Ghoom monastery which is 8 km from Darjeeling which, in turn, is 80 km from Siliguri.  From the airport, you can hire a taxi or a private cab that will take you to the Ghoom monastery. 

Rail: The nearest railway station to the Ghoom monastery is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in West Bengal which is 86 km from the place. NJP railway station is well-connected to major cities and places in India including New Delhi and Kolkata. From NJP you can take a taxi to reach Ghoom monastery. 

Road: Good motorable roads connect Ghoom monastery with all the major places in Darjeeling.