Buddhism is one of the major faiths in Darjeeling. A tour to the land will not be complete without a visit to the Buddhist monasteries in the area. The most prominent of these would be Ghum Monastery, also known as Yiga Choeling. The temple houses a marvelous 4.6 meters high statue of Maitreya Buddha. The structure of the building is believed to be established in 1850 by Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso. The place also acted as a refuge for many high ranking monks during the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. The shrine is a great destination in Darjeeling to enjoy silence and calmness. You are more than welcome to meditate and spend some quality time in the place.
