https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Kagyu_Thekchen_Ling_MonasteryKagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery - Revision history2026-11-15T10:07:03ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kagyu_Thekchen_Ling_Monastery&diff=507371&oldid=prevHayaat at 02:10, 1 January 20262026-01-01T02:10:52Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Buddhist monastery in Lava, West Bengal}}<br />
{{Infobox Tibetan Buddhist monastery|name=Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery|established=June 6, 1990|image=Kagyu Thekchen Ling Lava Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India.jpg|caption=Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery|coordinates={{coord|27.0860|N|88.6638|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}|location=[[Lava, West Bengal|Lava]], [[Kalimpong district]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]|pushpin_map=India West Bengal#India|map_caption=Location in West Bengal|founded_by=Karma Lodrö Chökyi Senge}}<br />
'''Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery''', also known as '''Ratnarishi Bihar Buddhist Gumpa''' or simply '''Lava Monastery''', is a Buddhist monastery situated in [[Lava, West Bengal|Lava]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]].<ref name=wbtour >{{Cite web |title=Lava - West Bengal Tourism, Experience Bengal, Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of W. B. |url=https://wbtourism.gov.in/destination/place/lava#lb6 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=wbtourism.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Silence, serenity and scenery await you at Kolakham |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/ecotourism-venture-neora-valley-jungle-camp-in-kolakham-kalimpong-offers-travellers-a-respite/cid/1839200 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><br />
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== History ==<br />
In the 1980s, the local Buddhist community of Lava offered [[Jamgon Kongtrul#3rd Jamgon Kongtrul (1954%E2%80%931992)|Karma Lodrö Chökyi Senge]] (1954–1992), the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, four acres of land to establish a Buddhist monastery in the hamlet, with the aim of preserving local religious and cultural tradition. The offer was accepted in 1987 and construction work commenced in April, 1988. The monastery was opened on June 6, 1990, on the occasion of ''Chökhor Düchen''.<ref name=wbtour /><ref name=1001things>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-11 |title=Lava Monastery, Lava |url=https://1001things.org/lava-monastery-lava/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=1001 Things About North Bengal, North East India & Bhutan |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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In 2001, the [[14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]] opened Mane Lhakhang, a community temple next to the monastery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamgon Kongtrul Labrang |url=https://www.jamgonkongtrul.org/section.php?s1=2&s2=2 |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=www.jamgonkongtrul.org}}</ref> Today, over a hundred monks practise Buddhist philosophy at the monastery.<br />
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== Location ==<br />
The monastery is located in Lava, [[Kalimpong district]] in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of West Bengal. It sits just beside the Neora Reservoir,<ref name=wbtour /> and serves as a gateway to the [[Neora Valley National Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walk along the misty trail to Kalimpong’s Kagyu Thek Chen Ling Monastery |url=https://www.getbengal.com/details/walk-along-the-misty-trail-to-kalimpongs-Kagyu-thek-chen-ling-monastery |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=Get Bengal |language=en}}</ref> It is at a distance of about 32 km (19.9 mi) from [[Kalimpong]]. The nearest railway station is [[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station]] and the nearest airport is [[Bagdogra Airport]] in [[Bagdogra|Bagdogra, Siliguri]].<ref name=1001things /><br />
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== Description ==<br />
The monastery resembles elements and styles of [[Architecture of Tibet|Tibetan architecture]], and is built of brick and concrete. It has several prayer halls, lawns, sitting areas, and houses a large Buddha statue. It is properly maintained.<ref name=wbtour /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lava Monastery, Lava - Timings, History, Pooja & Aarti schedule, |url=https://www.trawell.in/west-bengal/lava/lava-monastery |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=Trawell.in}}</ref><br />
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== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery mode="packed"><br />
File:Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India (2).jpg|Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava<br />
File:Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India (3).jpg|Lava Monastery <br />
File:Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India (1).jpg|Lava Monastery<br />
File:Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India (4).jpg|Inside Lava Monastery <br />
File:Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India (5).jpg|Lava Monastery<br />
File:Mane Lhakhang, Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal, India (6).jpg|Mane Lhakhang<br />
</gallery><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Buddhist monasteries in Kalimpong district]]<br />
[[Category:1990 establishments in West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kalimpong district]]<br />
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples in India]]</div>Hayaat