Photo spot in Darjeeling
Ghoom Monastery
Darjeeling, West Bengal
The famous Yiga Choeling monastery near Ghum, home to a 15-ft Maitreya Buddha and old Tibetan Buddhist murals.
Best time
Morning, when the light is soft on the painted façade and prayer flags and the monks may be chanting inside.
Best angle
Stand at the far side of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the painted entrance with the prayer flags crossing the top of the frame.
Entry fee
Free (donation)
Opening hours
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Ghoom Monastery
Morning, when the light is soft on the painted façade and prayer flags and the monks may be chanting inside. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Ghoom Monastery
Stand at the far side of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the painted entrance with the prayer flags crossing the top of the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
By the prayer flags and façade
In the monastery courtyard
Outfit guide
What to wear at Ghoom Monastery
For photos at Ghoom Monastery, maroon, saffron and white work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Darjeeling.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Ghoom Monastery.
Eat nearby
Food near Ghoom Monastery
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for thukpa nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Ask the driver for Yiga Choeling by name, or you may be dropped at Samten Choeling on the main road.
Remove your shoes and hat before stepping into the main prayer hall.
Check at the door for the photo rules, and put a small donation in the box if you shoot inside.
Walk clockwise around the hall and past the prayer wheels outside.
Visit in the morning, when the monks may be chanting and the light is softer on the façade.
Combine it with Ghum station's railway museum and Batasia Loop, both close by.
Carry a warm layer, as Ghum is higher and often mistier than Darjeeling town.
The old monastery at Ghum
Ghoom Monastery's proper name is Yiga Choeling. It stands a short walk from Ghum railway station, about 7–8 km from Darjeeling. The Mongolian monk and astrologer Sokpo Sherab Gyatso founded it in 1850, and it belongs to the Gelug, or Yellow Hat, school of Tibetan Buddhism. After 1959, Tibetan lamas fleeing to India found shelter here.
Inside
The main hall holds a clay statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, about 15 feet high. It was commissioned by Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche, who led the monastery from 1909 to 1952. The clay is said to have come from Tibet. Around it are images of Chenrezig and Tsongkhapa, butter lamps, large drums and a 108-volume set of the Kangyur, the Tibetan Buddhist canon. The walls have old painted murals.
Don't get taken to the wrong one
There are two well-known monasteries at Ghum. Samten Choeling sits beside the main road and is easy for drivers to reach, so tour taxis often stop there and call it "Ghoom Monastery". Yiga Choeling, the older one, is reached by a narrow lane off Hill Cart Road. Ask for it by name, or walk from the station.
Photography and etiquette
Photography inside has usually been allowed for a small donation per photo, collected at a box or by the keeper. Check at the door, and never photograph during prayers without asking. Remove your shoes before the main hall, walk clockwise and keep your voice down. The monastery depends on donations, so leaving something helps.
Getting there
Go by shared jeep to Ghum, or stop on the way back from a Tiger Hill sunrise. The toy-train joy ride also halts at Ghum station, where the railway museum is worth half an hour.
Questions
Ghoom Monastery — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Ghoom Monastery?
Morning, when the light is soft on the painted façade and prayer flags and the monks may be chanting inside. Stand at the far side of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the painted entrance with the prayer flags crossing the top of the frame.
Is there an entry fee at Ghoom Monastery?
Entry to Ghoom Monastery is free (donation).
What are the opening hours of Ghoom Monastery?
Ghoom Monastery is open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What should I wear at Ghoom Monastery?
Maroon, saffron and white photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Ghoom Monastery get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning, when the light is soft on the painted façade and prayer flags and the monks may be chanting inside.
What food should I try near Ghoom Monastery?
Try thukpa, available at nearby restaurants.
Is Ghoom Monastery the same as Yiga Choeling?
Yes. Yiga Choeling is the proper name of the old Ghoom Monastery. A different monastery, Samten Choeling, stands on the main road nearby and is sometimes called Ghoom Monastery too.
How old is Ghoom Monastery?
Yiga Choeling was founded in 1850 by the Mongolian monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso. The large Maitreya statue was added in the early 20th century.
Can I take photos inside Ghoom Monastery?
Photography inside has usually been allowed for a small donation per photo. Check with the keeper first, and don't shoot during prayers without permission.
How do I get to Ghoom Monastery from Darjeeling?
It is about 7–8 km away. Take a shared jeep or taxi to Ghum, or ride the toy-train joy ride to Ghum station and walk down the lane.