One of the three monasteries in Ghoom, the Samten Choling Monastery is approximately 7 kilometers away from Darjeeling town and belongs to the Gelupka sect of Buddhists. It is crafted with a huge square arched gate and the exterior of the monastery maintains a white body and golden top in the typical Tibetan architectural style. The major attraction is the 26 foot model of Lord Buddha. It also houses a huge collection of Buddhist books and manuscripts. Inside the premises you will find a small cafe where you can have tea or coffee and light snacks. It is also the residence of several monks belonging to yellow hat sect. Tourists are requested not to confuse Samten monastery with Yiga Choeling monastery, which is the original Ghoom Monastery, was built in the year 1850, and is 1 kilometer away from the Samten Choling Monastery. It also belongs to the Gelupka sect of Buddhists and maintains a 15 foot model of Lord Buddha. Inside the Yiga Choeling Monastery there are images of Lord Buddha and lamas. There is a large collection of Buddhas manuscripts, bells and a huge drum inside.
Call us for SAMTEN CHOLING MONASTERY AND YIGA CHOELING MONASTERY Tour and we will assist you with best of our services
SAMTEN CHOLING MONASTERY AND YIGA CHOELING MONASTERY
Foreigners must obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. These can be obtained from all Indian Missions, Sikkim Tourism Offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, District Magistrates Office of Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Rangpo on the strength of an Indian Visa. The 30 days duration Permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of the passport and visa along with two pass port photos of the applicants are made available. The permissible duration of the stay for foreign tourists is 30 days initially.
The State Government is authorized to extend the same by a further period of 30 days. The extension of the permit can be obtained from FRO at Gangtok and office of Superintendent of Police of the North, West and South Districts.
For those interested in going for trekking in the interior region of the state, the Tourism and Civil Aviation issues Protected Area Permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of two or more foreigners subject to condition that the trekking programme is arranged through a registered travel agency.