Detail of Bhutia Busty Gompa Monastery (Darjeeling, West Bengal) History & Architecture

The Bhutia Busty Gompa Monastery is also called as Karmaa Dorjee Chyoling monastery and is located close to the main Darjeeling town in a small locality called Bhutia Busty. It belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhist Lamas and is also a very popular landmark of Darjeeling. This monastery is one of the oldest monasteries of Darjeeling and is nestled about a kilometre away from Darjeeling which was originaly buit in the year 1765 by Lama Dorje Rinzing in the present day Observatory Hill. Later this monastery was destroyed by the Nepalese invasion in 1815 after which it was built near the present day St. Andrew's Church in 1816. Finally it was moved to its present day location in the Bhutia Bbusty near Chowrasta in 1879.

Bhutia Busty Gompa Monastery History

This monastery was originally a branch of Nyingma sect's Phodang Monastery in Sikkim. In 1879 it was transferred to Darjeeling and build in the present day Observatory Hill, where currently Mahakal temple is located. When the Nepalese invaded Sikkim in 1788 this monastery was destroyed and a Mahakal Temple was built in its place. Again later the Nepalese troops were driven out of this place by the British East India company during the Anglo-Nepalese war in 1815 and this territory was returned to Raja of Sikkim to whom it originally belonged. One of the most important feature of this monastery is the library which has some of the rarest books in its collection. One of its prized possessions is the 'Book of Dead'.

Bhutia Busty Gompa Monastery Religious Significance

This monastery belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhists and also has links witih the Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism. This sect is named after the colour of the monks hats at formal occasions and is one of the three oldest of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism which are - Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu. Tibetan Buddhism is the form of Buddhism that is specific to places like Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Bhutan, Kalmykia and other regions of the Himalayas, mostly in Nepal and Northern India. This form of Buddhism comprises the teachings of the three vehicles of Buddhism - the foundational vehicle, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

Bhutia Busty Gompa Monastery Architectural Significance

This monastery is built in the unusual blend of Tibeto Nepalese architecture and also has a storehouse of rare artefacts. It also has a library which has many books that tell interesting stories about the rich culture and tradition of the place and its people. There is also a fine gold accented mural which further adds to the beauty of this place. Like any other Buddhist monasteries it is decorated with beautiful paintings which tell you the stories of Buddha and his extraordinary life. It is small and simple but has a special aura about itself which gives the devotees a special feeling.

Bhutia Busty Gompa Monastery Munuscripts

Known for its religious importance, the monastery has several manuscripts that belongs to the Buddhist religion. It was once of great importance till the time Nepali troops invaded the place and destroyed the monastery and converted the temple to place of worship to Mahakal Baba. The monastery has amble collection of manuscripts but apart from all, "Book of Dead" is its prized collection.

Today this monastery is open to people of all caste, race, religion and sect. It makes no distinction on people and welcomes anyone and everyone who wishes to visit it. It is open from early morning till 7 pm in the evening and anyone who wishes to have some peaceful time is welcome here.