Architectural beauty of kalimpong

Morgan House

Morgan House is a mansion of British colonial architecture built by an English jute baron Mr George Morgan in the 1930s on the hill station of Kalimpong, Kalimpong district, West Bengal. Today, the mansion is a hotel managed by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC). Earlier this property was also known as Singamari Tourist Lodge or Durpin Tourist Lodge. The origin of the building lies in a gesture of celebration. The wedding of an indigo plantation owner with a jute baron commemorated the emergence of the Morgan House. In the years to come, the property would be used as a summer retreat and find itself to be the ground for elaborate parties and galas.

The passing on of the house without an heir to the Morgans would find itself resting in the hands of trustees. After 1947, when India emerged as an independent nation, the house would be handed over to the government. An incidental connection lies between the Morgan House and the eve of India’s independence in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1962, India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru was taken ill and Morgan House was to rise to the occasion as the government’s rest house.

The sudden demise of Pandit Nehru would change the course of action of the property’s fate. After being handed over to the tourist department in 1965, the home finally found itself to the carers it belongs to today in 1975. Since then it has been managed like a boutique hotel and is open to tourists.

Step back in time and embrace the colonial charm at Morgan House, Kalimpong's hidden gem.

MORGAN HOUSE, KALIMPONG

Morgan house is located 2 kms away from the main town towards Durpin Dara which can be easily reached by taking local cabs. The nearest railway station from Kalimpong is NJP at a distance of 74kms.Morgan house in Kalimpong is a historic bungalow which was built during the British rule. This historic mansion in the linking road is believed to have been founded by George Morgan, who was a jute merchant way back in 1930’s. MORGAN HOUSE COTTAGES in Kalimpong is tourist attractions include Durpin View Point (8 km) and Teesta Bridge (45 km). The Kalimpong guesthouse is accessible via travel hubs such as Darjeeling Railway Station (52 km) and Bagdogra Airport (80 km).

Kalimpong Morgan house!

MORGAN HOUSE, KALIMPONG

MacFarlane Memorial Church

This is the oldest Church in Kalimpong named after the first Scottish missionary, Williams MacFarlane who came in this region and was spellbound by the beauty of the place and decided to settle here. The Church was established in the year 1890 as a dedication to Sir William MacFarlene. The church is located in a peaceful and tranquil place. It is 132 years old and it still remains a notable tourist attraction in Kalimpong. It is also worth noting that this is one of the few churches in India where service is offered in 10 languages including Sanskrit, Bodo, Tibetan and Urdu, apart from English, Bengali and Hindi.

The church was built in the Gothic Revival style of architecture, which was very common in Scotland at that time.

A bell tower, and the long, low-roofed prayer room running behind it, added a spark to its aesthetics. However, the tower with four levels — each with arched windows and ventilators — was added much later. The apex of the tower now neither holds a cross nor houses a bell. Instead, it has a few smaller tower-like pinnacles.

MacFarlane Memorial Church: A Serene Sanctuary in the Heart of Kalimpong

The first two levels of the tower have two arches, the third level has one arch and the top one has three in the three sides of the tower. The sides of the long prayer hall are lined with windows that are European in style. It has a wooden roof and the walls are full of dedicatory plaques giving testimony to Kalimpong’s colonial heritage. The church commands a clear view of Kalimpong town, and if luck holds, also a majestic view of Mt Kanchenjunga. The way to the church was once lined with tall dark oaks and pines. Sadly now, they are slowly vanishing with rapid unplanned urbanization.

On the rear of the present tower, in a demarcated area, several damaged pillars and other rubble are kept on display. The floral design of those pinnacles and other pieces reveal that the old architecture of the church was a blend of Hindu, Buddhist and European styles.

Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel

This chapel was established by Dr. John Anderson Graham in the memory of his wife Katherine Graham in 1925. It is located on a ridge connecting the two hills Durpin and Deolo. The chapel is famous as a colonial heritage site of Kalimpong due to its old european style of architecture. Dr. John Anderson Graham and his wife came to darjeeling, India from Scotland on a mission. During their visit they realized the need of opening a home for the orphans and the needy. So they both started their journey of lending help to the society for a better future.

kalimpong Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel.

They established multiple schools, institutes etc which are collectively known as graham's homes which so far is the best school in kalimpong. The architecture of this chapel in Scottish style with hills and trees around it gives the appearance of a Scottish village far removed from the town. It's distinctly Scottish and all the School Houses built by Dr. Graham and others are named after different dignitaries. A trip to Graham’s Homes will not only help you relax but also give you a chance to appreciate the social work done by Dr. Graham and his co-workers in the colonial past. The chapel was designed in Gothic style and has architectural resemblances with the chapel of St. Columba by J.M. Anderson. The St. Columbia chapel was constructed in 1920 and both Reverend Graham and his wife Katherine were acquainted with the architecture of it.

Crookety house: A COLONIAL EUROPEAN STYLED

BUNGALOW IN KALIMPONG

This is the house in Kalimpong in West Bengal where Helena Roerich spent the last years of her life, Helena Roerich along with her son moved to Kalimpong in the year of 1949 and lived in Crookety House, a bungalow built by the British in the 1940s. She is believed to have carried on the work prescribed by Master Morya over the next seven years. The Russian philosopher’s main aim was to spread the message of Agni Yoga (Living Ethics). Today the Crookety House is the seat of Agni Yoga. Helena Roerich spent most of the years in the Crookety House where she wrote, painted and meditated in a lawn from where one could breathe the fresh Himalayan air.

Kalimpong Crookety house: A COLONIAL EUROPEAN STYLED BUNGALOW IN KALIMPONG

In the year of 1955 during the month of October, Helena Roerich suffered heart attacks and passed away in her sleep at the age of 76. Helena Roerich’s body was cremated and her ashes were placed in a Buddhist stupa which is located in the compound of the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Buddhist monastery. Now the Crookety House has been converted into a museum and it is very well managed by the Italian admirers of the Roerich family. The Himalayan Institute of Ethics and Good Living was also established by the Italian admirers of the Roerich family. The place is very beautifully well maintained and it is one of the must-visit places of the small town in Kalimpong. It is a quiet and peaceful place for a lover of books and it is surely worth a visit. Crockety House is a Colonial European styled bungalow built by the British wool traders in the 18th century. It is an amazing place to just sit quietly and enjoy the ambience. This old fashioned and charming house stands in Kalimpong as reminiscent of the British period. This bungalow is unique because of its exquisite architectural design and the beautiful surroundings. From this house, Rabindra Nath Tagore broadcasted his beautiful work "Janmadin" on his birthday in All India Radio.