Thongsha Gumpha
Thongsha Gumpha
4.5
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4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
18
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
D Purushothaman P
Doha, Qatar159 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Thongsha Gumpha, Kalimpong, locally called the Bhutanese Monastery, is the oldest and most popular priory here. It is located just 1 km away from town, on the 10th Mile. It is a classical encapsulation, of a spiritual Buddhist ecclesiastical erection, in honour of its learning and lineage. The monastery serves as a sacred prayer house for the monks, for pursuing their ego-transcending spiritual discipline of Sadhana. The construction, follows the sacred geometrical Mandala design, of a central hall, with smaller satellite extensions connected to it. There is one central prayer hall containing a huge principal, Buddha statue in the middle, wearing a serene countenance, along with the religious sacremental, delicate silk scroll-painting Thangkas, depicting crucial phases in the enlightenment of Buddha, adorning its four walls. The resident monks, stay in small cubicles, in the adjoining living accomodation.
This lamasery was established in 1632, under the patronage of the then King of Bhutan. Susequently, it suffered partial demolition, during the tumultuous Gorkha rebellion of the early 1800s. Finally, in the late 1800s, the monastery was restored and reconstructed, under the active participation of the contemporary Dalai Lama. Who had even brought along 108 prayer wheels, for installing them for the daily prayers of the monks, which can now be seen, planted on either side of the entry to the prayer hall. The various grand murals and frescos, that are on view inside the prayer hall, were also approved by him. The current friary, is a modest two storeyed structure, having white-walls with red borders and four windows, in the front facing wall, which also incorporates, an alcove-like covered jut out, in the middle of the upper storey, just above the grand wooden doors of the main entrance. The underside of the multi-tiered sloping roofs, have very colourful geometric patterns painted on its white background, giving a splendid look to the outward appearance. The multiple roofs, finally culminates in an opulent single, central golden pinnacle, that easily distinguishes this stately divine retreat, from the other more common place residences.
There is an all-pervading calm, one senses deep inside one's soul, when one walks in the shadows of the warm glow of dim oil lamps and smell of incense, in the venerable precincts of this ministry. Everyone must go there, to feel this divine tranquility, when in Kalimpong!
This lamasery was established in 1632, under the patronage of the then King of Bhutan. Susequently, it suffered partial demolition, during the tumultuous Gorkha rebellion of the early 1800s. Finally, in the late 1800s, the monastery was restored and reconstructed, under the active participation of the contemporary Dalai Lama. Who had even brought along 108 prayer wheels, for installing them for the daily prayers of the monks, which can now be seen, planted on either side of the entry to the prayer hall. The various grand murals and frescos, that are on view inside the prayer hall, were also approved by him. The current friary, is a modest two storeyed structure, having white-walls with red borders and four windows, in the front facing wall, which also incorporates, an alcove-like covered jut out, in the middle of the upper storey, just above the grand wooden doors of the main entrance. The underside of the multi-tiered sloping roofs, have very colourful geometric patterns painted on its white background, giving a splendid look to the outward appearance. The multiple roofs, finally culminates in an opulent single, central golden pinnacle, that easily distinguishes this stately divine retreat, from the other more common place residences.
There is an all-pervading calm, one senses deep inside one's soul, when one walks in the shadows of the warm glow of dim oil lamps and smell of incense, in the venerable precincts of this ministry. Everyone must go there, to feel this divine tranquility, when in Kalimpong!
Written 30 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaileshSarmah
Tinsukia, India236 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
1km from town. Situated at the 10th mile this monastery of Bhutanese origin was built in the year 1630 and it is the oldest monastery in this region.
View of Mt Kanchenjunga is awesome.
View of Mt Kanchenjunga is awesome.
Written 11 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bornav
Assam, India11,109 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
Thongsa Gompa is the oldest monastery of Kalimpong, it was later rebuilt in 1964. It is locally known as Bhutanese Gompa as it belongs to the Nyingmapa sect, it was built after the Bhutanese captured Kalimpong hills from the Chogyals of Sikkim and established a fort at Pedong. It is located in 10th Mile, near the Mangal Dham temple. Mornings are the best time to visit this shrine during the prayer sessions. Bhutanese royals have also visited this Lhakhang when Kalimpong was their main administrative centre for southern Bhutan even after India's independence!
One can also visit the 11th Mile monastery of the Tibetan Gelugpa sect and the indigenous Lepcha monasteries nearby.
One can also visit the 11th Mile monastery of the Tibetan Gelugpa sect and the indigenous Lepcha monasteries nearby.
Written 19 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SangiTani
New Delhi, India241 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This was our first visit to any Monastery. We reached early in the morning to this place as we had to reach Gangtok and this was in between. The doors were closed around 9 AM, We requested caretaker (who was monk) who opened the door for us. The place was very calm and quite. It had beautiful paintings and prayer wheels at the outside. Monk told us that this one was very old Monastery. We spend almost half an hour to this place.
Written 8 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mala B
Johannesburg, South Africa38 contributions
Jan 2020
I was so intrigued by this place and the history and linage of this place. Easy to access and learn abut the heritage of this templle
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ranitb
Kolkata (Calcutta), India607 contributions
Jan 2017
After entering you would feel that you are in one of the monastery at Bhutan...Calm Peacefull and surely will visit again
Written 22 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anik_Rahman
Dhaka City, Bangladesh1,092 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
Guided by my friend Rigzen I came here on the afternoon after lunch. It was a cloudy day and I loved the weather when I was up there in the Monastery. I found it so peaceful and serene and I could see the military personnel playing on the ground next to the Monastery. I mediated here for about 20 minutes and felt so fresh when I left. I would definitely this place to anyone who is in Kalimpong.
Written 1 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajdip
Tezpur, India17 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
Gumpha temples are good because rolling of the Gumpha itself removed all kind sins that people believe in to that and I do believe.
Written 16 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kciff
Fox Island, WA1,010 contributions
Sept 2019
The inside is beautifully painted with all the Taras, many Buddha lessons, and scenes from heavenly bliss to firey torture. The statues are finely made. It would be more interesting to be there when the monks are praying but the quiet was also special.
Written 26 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stantp1916
Farakka, India1,285 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
The monastery was closed when we arrived there. We didn’t get a chance to see the interiors of the monastery but we did enjoy rolling the drums outside as we walked around the building. We took some exquisite snaps of the mountains and the valley from the roof of the monastery.
Written 9 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone tell me the time of morning prayers at Thongsha Gumpha?
Written 8 April 2015
I had visited at around 10am, the prayer session was going on. However, to see the Kora/Parikrama (Circumambulation), which usually happens in the Bhutanese monasteries, it would be better to visit at 9am.
It would be better if you visit there and inquire a day before.
Written 1 May 2015
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