Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin Monastery)

Overview

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, also called Durpin Monastery, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma school on Durpin Hill, above Kalimpong. It was founded by Dudjom Rinpoche, who lived in exile there, and was consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976. Sources differ on the exact year of its founding.

The monastery represents the palace of Guru Rinpoche and holds a rare 108-volume Kangyur, the Tibetan Buddhist canon, brought from Tibet. From the hilltop you can see Kalimpong, the Teesta River and, on a clear day, Kanchenjunga.

What to look for

• The three-dimensional mandala of Guru Rinpoche's palace
• The 108-volume Kangyur
• Prayer wheels and painted walls
• The view over Kalimpong and the Teesta valley

Visiting tips

• Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering the temple.
• Admission is free; photography rules inside vary, so ask.
• Combine it with Deolo Hill and the Thongsa Gompa, a short drive away.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin Monastery), and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Ghoom Monastery Tea Garden Toy Train Rumtek Monastery Deolo Hill Tiger Hill Enchey Monastery Batasia Loop Tsomgo Lake Mg Marg