Kalimpong

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Kalimpong ( Bengali: কালিম্পং, Kālimpaṃ ) is a city in the Siwaliks in the Indian state of West Bengal in the district of Darjeeling.

The town has about 40,000 inhabitants. On the outskirts there is a large base of Indian armed forces.

Kalimpong is known for its educational institutions far beyond the borders of West Bengal also. For several years the place has become interesting for tourism. Here are many Buddhist temples.

Geography

The city lies on the mountains Deolo Hill and Hill Durpin in the Siwaliks at an altitude of 1,247 meters above sea level on average. NN. Deolo, the highest point of the village, is situated on 1704 m. The river Tista near Kalimpong forms the border with the state of Sikkim.

History

The place was inhabited long time indigenden of people of Lepcha as well as the migrant Bhutia and Limbu (weak). Until the mid- 19th century, the area was ruled alternately by the kingdoms of Sikkim and Bhutan. By the Treaty of Sinchula (1865 ) the area east of Tista the British East India Company was slammed. At that time, Kalimpong was a hamlet with four families. After the War of 1864 Duar - Kalimpong was built as a hill station by the British. She put a resort from the hot low-lying areas dar. Kalimpongs close to the passes Nathu La and La Jelep, branch of the Silk Road, became an advantage for foreign trade to Tibet and the rest of India.

The arrival of Scottish missionaries had, among others, the construction of schools result. The Scottish University Mission Institution was about 1886, the first, followed by the Kalimpong Girls High School. 1911, the population was 7880th

After the Indian independence in 1947, Kalimpong part of West Bengal, after Bengal was split into an Indian and Pakistani. By the annexation of Tibet by China in 1959, many Buddhist monks fled into the temple of Kalimpong, since they are also many new monasteries built.

Economy

The main economic activity is tourism, high season is the spring and summer. The Agriculture, whose fields are terraced, is another important industry. Here grow especially oranges and tea. The military facilities also offer a market.

Traffic

The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri (80 km), the nearest rail connection is in New Jalpaiguri about 10 kilometers south of Siliguri. Kalimpong is located on National Highway 31- A, connects the Siliguri with Gangtok.

Culture

In the village there is the Lepcha Museum to learn about the culture of the Lepcha and the Zang Dhok - Palri - Phodong Monastery with 108 volumes of Kangyur. The monastery belongs to the Gelugpa school of Buddhism.

The Tibetan Tulku Rinpoche Dhardo lived here from 1954 until his death in 1990. He is an example for many refugees who settled here.

Kalimpong is currently the principal residence of Thaye Dorje, the Ugyen Dorje Thrinle makes the claim in dispute to be the 17th Karmapa.