Religious Spots in Siliguri

Salugara Monastery: Located at a distance of 6km from the bustling city of Siliguri is Salugara Monastery. It is a Tibetan Monastery which is also known as The Great International Tashi Gomang Stupa. Salugara Monastery is situated near the army camp of Salugara. Built by the followers of His Holiness Dalai Lama, Salugara Monastery is maintained by the Droden Kunchab Chodey Buddhist Association. Sited on the roadside near the auto stand of Salugara, travelers can easily visit Salugara Monastery.

Salugara Monastery is one of the most hallowed sites for Buddhist pilgrims traveling to Siliguri, the 100ft tall stupa being the prime attraction. Detailed with intriguing designs the stupa or chorten of Salugara Monastery was founded by the Tibetan Lama, Kalu Rinpoche. The stupa of Salugara Monastery is revered by the monks as it is said to bring out five kinds of relics of Buddhism. The timing of visiting Salugara Monastery is from 5:30am to 6:30pm. Inside the premises of the monastery is a giant prayer wheel near the small room where visitors can offer butter lamps. Engulfed in the cover of tranquil ambiance Salugara Monastery is an ideal place for meditation to rejuvenate the tired soul from the hassle of daily city life. Festive season is known to be the best time to visit Salugara Monastery to learn more about Tibetan culture and religion when devotees from around the city gather to pray and celebrate for a prosperous year.

Let your senses be soothed by the lingering aroma of Tibetan incense, which fills the nooks and corners of the monastery, while taking a stroll and spinning prayer wheel around the iconic white washed stupa of Salugara Monastery.

Religious Spots in Siliguri

EWAM MONASTERY

Ewam Siliguri, India is etched amid the serenity and splendor of nature. Ewam India Buddhist Monastery exhibits the ideal representation of spirituality, peace, and the ethereal wonder. Standing amid the vast stretch of greens & the dotting settlements, the monastery retains the rustic and mystical feeling. The term ‘ewam’ itself resounds rarity and the touch of an exotic. Secluded from the rush of the bustling city life, Ewam Monastery stands at a distance of 11 km from the heart of Siliguri. Ewam propagates Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism which is considered to be the oldest amongst the four significant traditional schools. The monastery is sacred to the Buddhists. It is also deemed as an evolving pilgrimage site to the religious fanatics and even to the explorers. Contradicting the boisterous city, the monastery extends not just an escapade but also renders an unsurpassable soul-soothing bliss, solitude, and calmness.The monastery is located at Toribari Village, Salugara which is quite nearby to Bengal Safari, Siliguri. Thus, this grandiose structure is enclosed by verdant natural greeneries and serenity. The pilgrims and the explorers seeking to get to Ewam Monastery can easily get access to the place as the city offers cheap, prompt or instant transport facilities. Even though the monastery is secluded from the sheen, glamor, and the vogue of contemporary life, there are proper road networks that ensure easy accessibility to it. The monastery depicts the ancient Buddhist architectural style. The seven-storied monastery bears stunning artwork and intricate carvings. The brilliant Kilkhor drawing adorns the walls and the entire ceilings.Every inch of the interiors and exteriors retains a vibe of immense spirituality. The grand statues of Buddha in the meditating pose are installed inside the temple block. The monastery is painted in brownish-red and the pillars depict the radiant hues of bright red and gold. The front-facing side is most appealing as it dazzles in golden shade. There is a massive circular yard in front of the main building. A wide flight of stairs at the front/entrance leads you to the first floor where an array of prayer wheels are arranged throughout the circular pathway. The circular shape adds to the peculiarity and appeal of the monastery. The visitors can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding nature from the monastery.

Siliguri Ewam Buddhist Monastery, India

ISCKON MANDIR

International Society for Krishna Consciousness, more popularly known as ISKCON Temple, is one of the prominent places of interest in Siliguri. Sited at Gital Para, ISKCON Temple Road, the temple is characterized by purity, serenity and sublime beauty. Also known as Hare Krishna Movement, ISKCON temple in the city is the biggest Krishna center in the whole of Northeast India. Completely dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple attracts thousands of devotees from all over the country.

An embodiment of peace and beauty, ISKCON Temple enshrines Radha Madhav idol and an image of Lord Krishna with Radha. Along with this, the temple is also home to a number of spellbinding idols, some of which are those of Advaita Acharya, Lord Narasimha and Lord Chaitanya. Though the temple is constructed in a modern architectural style, it has managed to retain the ancient Indian customs of ‘Vashtuhaara’.

ISKCON temple in Siliguri houses a well-equipped auditorium. With a seating capacity of 500 to 600 people, the auditorium offers an excellent place to hold meetings and conventions. To use the auditorium, all you need to do is seek permission from the temple president.The temple has a small guest house for those who want to reside within the premises. Boasting of a serene and tranquil ambience, the guest house presently has 10 rooms, of which only 5 are operational. The temple authorities have plans to increase the number of rooms in the guest house, gradually.

Seeking Divine Blessings at the Serene ISKCON Mandir in Siliguri

Lokenath baba mandir in Siliguri, is believed to be an auspicious temple. It’s not just a sacred temple in Siliguri, but all over West Bengal. The belief extended from Bangladesh to West Bengal and is now gradually reaching various ends of India. In Siliguri, the temple has its own identity and importance. It is built beautifully and demonstrates great artwork of idols of various gods and goddesses in the temple.A split- idol of Lord Shiva and Lokenath Baba is a depicted in a rocky and mountainous background, which gives an impression as if Lokenath Baba is a form of Lord Shiva on earth. A place for performing havan is called “jogyo-bedi” by the disciples. A standing idol of “Lakshmi and Narayan-under Sheshnag” and also a huge idol of Lord Ganesha is at the entrance. And a beautiful demonstration of goddess Lakshmi over water-pond. He is also said to be “god who walked the earth.”

‘Lokenath Baba’ is known by 108 names. His devotees have complete faith in him as he has promised in his last words that: “I am eternal, I am deathless. After this body falls, do not think that everything will come to an end. I will live in the hearts of all living beings in my subtle astral form. Whoever will seek my refuge, will always receive my Grace.”It is believed that ‘Lokenath Baba’ was a devotee of Lord Shiva. It’s said he was born in 1730 and he left his physical body on 1st June 1890. He is believed to have a lifespan of 160 years, which is a topic of research and astonishment for great and renowned educational institutes. He attained enlightenment at the age of 90 years. Its is said he left the mortal world for his heavenly abode at the age of 160.

Lokenath Baba Mandir: A Serene Oasis of Spiritual Tranquility in Siliguri