Ghum
Ghum, in West Bengal, has spectacular natural splendour which reflects through the majestic hills and vibrant greenery. Ghum Monastery and Batasia Loop are the prime attractions of the place.

Share this Article:

Ghum, Darjeeling, West BengalGhum, situated in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of the Indian state West Bengal, is a small hilly locality. The place is nestled at an altitude of 2258 metres. Also spelt as Ghoom, Ghum hosts the highest railway station in India. It also shelters the Ghum Monastery. Ghum is also known for Batasia Loop which is a bend of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The place has laudable natural beauty. A huge detached rock stands on the Ghum-Sukhiapokri road, at a height of 7900 feet, which presents a grand view of the Balsan Valley and the hills beyond it. There is also an amusement park called Garg World.

War Memorial at Ghum
Ghum is also the home to a war memorial. Since ages, a number of Indian Army servicemen and ex-servicemen have dwelled in the Darjeeling hills and since the year 1947, a number of brave soldiers of this region have lost their lives for their motherland. To honour their efforts, Manish Gupta, then Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling in 1976, took the initiative to construct a War Memorial, for which a committee was formed. In 1984 the site was selected for the War Memorial which was Batasia. The financing for the construction of memorial was done by Subhas Ghising, Chairman of Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council in the year 1991. The War Memorial comprises a sanctified raised oval platform over which a high bronze statue stands. There is also a high triangular granite cenotaph over an octagonal base having the engravings of the Roll of Honour. Gautam Pal of Krishnanagar sculpted the bronze statue.

Ghum, Darjeeling, West Bengal Monasteries in Ghum
Ghum Monastery, also known as Yi Gha Choling Gompa, stands below Hill Cart road and Ghum railway station. An image of the Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the monastery. Constructed in 1875, the monastery belongs to the Yellow sect of the Buddhists who offer their reverence to a 15 feet tall statue of Coming Buddha. Apart from this, Ghum also shelters three other gompas namely the Phin, the Sakyachoeling and Samten Choeling.

Tiger Hill at Ghum
Tiger Hill is located 5 kilometres away from Ghum at an altitude of 1100 feet. On a clear day, Tiger Hill offers a panoramic view of the top of Mount Everest which is the highest peak in the world. The sunrise at Tiger Hill is splendid and attracts a number of tourists in the early morning to witness the same. However Ghum and the surrounding areas are often shrouded with clouds which hinder the view of sunrise. The area also houses the Senchel Water Reservoir, at an altitude of 8163 feet, which supply water to the entire Darjeeling town.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Hill Stations in India


Shillong
Shillong, the meeting point of tradition and cosmopolitanism, is known as the Scotland of the East.
Tourism in East Khasi Hills District
Tourism in East Khasi Hills District offers a pleasurable experience to the travellers. Magnificent lakes, waterfalls, parks and caves are some of the tourist attractions offered by East Khasi Hills District.
Jaintia Hills District
Jaintia Hills District is an administrative district of Meghalaya and its headquarters are located at Jowai. Economy of Jaintia Hills District is mainly agrarian in character as most of the people are engaged in agriculture.
Ananthagiri Hills
Ananthagiri Hills is an important tourist destination in Telangana. It serves as the pilgrimage tourism site and the leisure tourism site in this state.
Mahendragiri Hill
Mahendragiri is a place of great scenic beauty. The place is surrounded on three sides by hills and thick growth of wild trees.
Tourism in West Garo Hills District
Tourism in West Garo Hills District comprises exploring several beautiful peaks as well as sites of historical importance. Wangala Dance festival of the Garo tribe is another major attraction for the travellers.
Agumbe Hill Station
Agumbe Hill Station in Karnataka is a well-known tourist spot for its sunsets, waterfalls research unit on king cobras.
Hilly and Forest areas
There are four hilly and forest areas in the Indian subcontinent, which are, still the safe haven of the Indian tribes.
Structure on a Hill
Vastu Shastra offers invaluable tips on the construction of a Structure on a Hill.
Yercaud Hill station
Yercaud is a fascinating hill station of Tamil Nadu, situated about 8 kms from Salem.
Wilson Hills
Wilson Hills offers a mesmerizing view of the vast Arabian Sea from a high altitude. The place is immensely enjoyed by the mountaineers and nature lovers.
East Garo Hills District
East Garo Hills District is one of the seven administrative districts of Meghalaya. Williamnagar is the district headquarters. East Garo Hills District is well known in north-east India for its handicrafts and textiles.
Garo Hills
Garo are part of the Garo-Khasi range in Meghalaya. People who reside in the Garo Hills are known as the Garos. The range is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests eco-region.
Tourism in East Garo Hills District
Tourism in East Garo Hills District includes visits to several historical sites as well as those places that have some association with the culture of the local people. The natural beauty of the region adds charm to the tourism experience.
Khasi Hills
Khasi Hills belong to the Garo-Khasi range located in Himalayas. Khasi Hills are known for housing Sohra, popularly known as Cherrapunjee.
East Khasi Hills District
East Khasi Hills District, an administrative district of Meghalaya, was formed after the bifurcation of Khasi Hills District. Shillong is the district headquarters of East Khasi Hills District.
West Khasi Hills District
West Khasi Hills District is the largest district of Meghalaya with its administrative headquarters located at Nongstoin. West Khasi Hills District was formerly a part of Khasi Hills District and it came into existence in the year 1976.
South Garo Hills District
South Garo Hills District is an administrative district of Meghalaya with its headquarters located at Baghmara. South Garo Hills District is mainly inhabited by Garo Tribes.
Langudi Hill
Langudi Hill, Odisha is a significant Buddhist archaeological site containing ruins of Pushpagiri University, rock-cut caves, Buddhist stupas and numerous other Buddhist relics.
Tendong Hill
Tendong Hill in South Sikkim is located at an altitude of 8530 ft. The hill is deeply revered by the local villagers.
Maenam Hill
Maenam Hill located near to Ravangla town in Sikkim is a famous tourist spot. One can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga Peak and waterfalls.
Kolli Hills
Kolli Hills is a small mountain range located in Tamil Nadu. It is a part of the Eastern Ghats and serves as a great tourist spot.