Ghum is one of the oldest Tibetan Monastery located at the distance of 6 km south of Darjeeling, in the state of West Bengal India. Also known as Yiga Choling, it is the perched at the height of 8,000 feet above the sea level. The monastery was built in the year 1850 by Lama Sharap Gyatso , a renowned astrologer.
The Ghum Monastery belongs to the Yellow sect of Buddhists. It comprises of a single chambered temple with the few residential buildings and an outhouse. It is a home to more than 60 monks. One of the main highlight of the monastery is the 15 ft tall huge figure of Maitreya, Buddha of the future – a statue is the finest example of workmanship, resplendent in gold polish and embedded with precious stones.
Here you may also find the rare collection of books on Buddhism as well as Tibetan translation of Sanskrit works here. Among the Buddhists text available are the Kangyur, the Buddhists Tibetan canon running into 108 volumes. On the visit to the Ghum Monastery one may notice great Tibetan influence in the environment and prayer rituals.
Aparana Chauhan
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