Bhutia Busty Monastery is located in the Indian state of West Bengal. More specifically, this Monastery is situated in Bhutia Busti or Bhutia colony, which is about 1.5km or 1 mile downhill from the Chowrasta Mall of Darjeeling. Globally, Bhutia Busty Monastery can be pinpointed at coordinates 27.050221 degrees North and 88.270028 degrees East. It is important to note that the name of this monastery is derived from the name of the colony in which it is located. This monastery is also famous by the name Karmaa Dorjee Chyoling monastery. It is dedicated to Lord Buddha and has connections with the Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism. It is frequented by the Red Sect of Buddhist Lamas. The 193-year-old Sangchhen Thongdor Ling Gonpa or Ging Gompa (8 kilometers from town) which was set up by Pemayangtse monastery (West Sikkim) in 1818 also belongs to the Red hat sects. The Bhutia Busty is considered to be the oldest Buddhist Monastery in Darjeeling and is one of the tourist attractions in Darjeeling.

History of Bhutia Busty Monastery
The History of Bhutia Busty Monastery traces its changes in location and structure due to unfortunate and tragic incidents experienced by this monastery. A person named Lama Dorje Rinzing is credited with the establishment of Bhutia Busty Monastery. He had established this monastery at Observatory Hill in 1761. The Mahakal Temple presently has occupied the place, where Observatory Hill used to stand. It was earlier recognized as a branch of the Nyingma sect`s Phodang Monastery in Sikkim. Around 1788, this monastery was destroyed by Nepali troops. They even converted Dotsug into a place of worship dedicated to Mahakala. Resultantly, monastic practices of the monastery came to a tragic halt. Later, during the Gurkha-War, the British East India Company played the major role in removing these Nepali troops from the area. In 1817, this Company even handed the area to the Chogyal of Sikkim. In 1861, Bhutia Busty was rebuilt. It was in the year 1879 that the Bhutia Busty was transferred to Darjeeling and was built again in this new location. Unfortunately in 1934, this monastery was again destroyed by an earthquake. But due to Late Chogyal (Dharmaraja) of Sikkim this monastery again reincarnated.

Architectural Design of Bhutia Busty Monastery
The Bhutia Busty Monastery is a representation of the traditional Tibetan style of architecture along with Sikkimese influence on it. The monastery`s main prayer room is adorned with the model of Buddha in a glass case and photographs of Dalai Lama. A visit to this monastery will also familiarize a person with the image of Tara Devi. It is considered to be one of the new installations of the Bhutia Busty. Another image is that of the Lakshmiswari, a goddess that has thousand eyes and thousand hands. This image is characteristically large. Both the images are visible on one side of this room. The other side of the room is decorated with large wall murals. They are made of powdered stones. More specifically, different kinds of stones were initially grinded to make the wall murals, thus assuming powder form. Different shades of colours of the murals are specific to the different kinds of stones and are reflected by them. Bangles, ornaments and other decorative items are also evident on the mural. They are made using real gold powder. The subject of these wall murals is the story of Buddha`s life. When looked from a particular angle, some parts of the mural would shine and sparkle like gold. Outside the prayer room is a front veranda, one side of which has a large drum like hollow cylinder which is rotatable. This drum has prayers inscribed on it. On the other side of the front veranda is another large wall mural, devoid of gold. This side also has a flight of stairs climbing which will lead to the monk`s residence. The main door of the Bhutia Busty Monastery is located in between these two sides. It leads to the prayer room and is adorned by two circles of golden colours. While one circle symbolizes the sun, the other one represents the moon.

Collection of Bhutia Busty Monastery
The Bhutia Busty Monastery is a storehouse of ancient Buddhist scripts. One of the original pieces of the Book of Dead is considered to be a noteworthy example of the historical relic preserved in this monastery.

Other Places of Attraction around Bhutia Busty Monastery
Observatory Hill, Chowrasta and the Mall, Singhalia National Park, Tumsong Tea Estate, Shrubbery Nightingale Park, Everest Museum, Ava Art Gallery, Dhirdham Temple, St. Columbus Church are some of the other places of attraction around Bhutia Busty Monastery.

Visiting Information
Bhutia Busty Monastery has good transport availability. The nearest airport to Bhutia Busty Monastery is Bagdogra Air Force Base Airport. Baghdogra is located at a distance of about 40 km from Bhutia Busty Monastery. The nearest railway station to Bhutia Busty Monastery is Siliguri Junction Train Station. This Train Station is located at a distance of about 38 km from Bhutia Busty Monastery. It is also advised to take the CR Das Road from the Chowrasta Mall next to the CCD, then after passing the Step Aside, one would have to walk downhill to reach the destination, Bhutia Busty Monastery. It is important to note for the visitors that photography is strictly prohibited inside the monastery. Donations are welcomed here. It is used to run the monastery smoothly.

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