Located in the colourful town of Kalimpong, the Lepcha Museum confirms the history of the aboriginal people of Sikkim. This is a place well worth a visit as you start your tour around West Bengal, offering insight into the colourful life of the Lepcha people. Owned by Shri Sonam Lepcha, the local resident, the museum exhibits an impressive collection of items ranging from the local Sikkimese ethnic clothing to tools used in agriculture to religious symbols. Whether you like the history or art, or your curiosity gets the best of you, visiting this museum will provide you with a deeper understanding of Lepcha culture.
About Lepcha Museum In Kalimpong
Image Credit: Footlooseinme for Wikipedia
Lepcha Museum is a cultural museum in Kalimpong, West Bengal, which Shri Sonam Lepcha established to preserve and tell the history of the Lepcha community. This is an Indigenous ethnic group residing mainly in Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and some parts of West Bengal. The culture and history of this group are intermediate through displayed wear, farming implements, and worship objects used by the group. The museum’s building resembles Lepcha construction and helps introduce the Lepcha culture and language to researchers and tourists, thus preserving the culture.
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Lepcha Museum Timings And Entrance Fee
Image Credit: Sumit Surai for Wikimedia Commons
The Lepcha Museum, currently located in Kalimpong, provides tourists with a fascinating insight into the lifestyles of the Lepcha people. To most effectively visit this cultural centre, it is essential to know when and how often the museum is open to the public and how much it will cost to access it.
Lepcha Museum Hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. It is usually closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Lepcha Museum Entry Fee: INR 10 to 20 for Indian visitors and INR 50 to 100 for foreign visitors
Lepcha Museum In Kalimpong: Popular Attractions Nearby
The nearest tourist places to Lepcha Museum include Deolo Hill, Dr Graham’s Homes, and local markets for shopping. Pine View Nursery and Durpin Monastery are also easily accessible. That is why these sites present beautiful sceneries and involve historical and cultural attractions.
1. Deolo Hill
Deolo Hill is even higher and 1,704 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in Kalimpong which has a 360-degree view of the town and the mountains. Paragliding, Horse riding, and picnicking are some of the activities that tourists can enjoy easily within it, with its great gardens. The hill has three water dams, always ensuring water availability to Kalimpong town, and has a well-developed park full of flowers. Tourists can go for adventures like walking to the neighbouring villages or for bird watchers they can see different types of birds. The best viewpoint for watching the sunset is Deolo Hill, which is why photographers and tourists should not miss it.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Time Required: 3 hours
Entrance Fee: INR 20 for Indians and INR 50 for foreigners
Related Post: Places To Visit In Kalimpong
2. Durpin Monastery
Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, more precisely located at Durpin Hill at 1472 feet, is known as Durpin Monastery. This one was built in 1972 and was blessed by the Dalai Lama with scriptural Tibetan Buddhist texts, which were brought up when China invaded Tibet. This structure’s façade combines traditional motifs from the region and contemporary architecture. The interior is adorned with paintings, sculptures, and thangkas. They include a panoramic view of Kalimpong town, Teesta River, and Relli Valley. The Cham dance festival is normally held annually and attracts many visitors. The monastery is culturally & spiritually rich in this region & plays an important role in the area’s history due to its serene environment.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Time Required: 1 to 2 hours
Entrance Fee: Free
3. Morgan House
Image Credit: Subhrajyoti07 for Wikipedia
This colonial house, which is in a relatively good state, was constructed during British rule in India back in the 1930s. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan once owned it, but now it holds the status of a heritage hotel under the possession of the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. This house has wooden floors, fireplaces, and antique furniture, giving guests the feel of colonial times. It is located on one of the beautiful farms surrounded by many trees with a view of the hills, and it is Said to be haunted. Morgan House has a rich historical background, and the focal point of interest is the British Colonial architecture; therefore, many tourists who visit Kalimpong often book this house as a place to stay due to its uniqueness.
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
Time Required: 2 to 3 hours
Entrance Fee: Free for sightseeing / Charges applicable for staying
Related Post: Places To Visit In Sikkim
4. Kalimpong Science Centre
Created to popularise science, this practical centre comprises sections dedicated to laws of nature and inventions. The centre contains a planetarium, a 3D theatre, and exhibition halls for physical sciences, the living world, and mathematics. People can participate in eager experiments and models and easily understand concepts relative to science. The centre also organises workshops, science fairs, and stargazing, which fuels the curiosity of students and the community at large about science issues. A science centre is a useful addition to the educational process of schools and science lovers due to its contemporary infrastructure and programs.
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
Time Required: 2 to 3 hours
Entrance Fee: INR 50 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners
5. Delo Park
Located 5 km from Kalimpong town, Delo Park is a peaceful hill station providing beautiful vistas of the eastern Himalayas, including Kanchenjunga Mountain. It has areas of well-taken-care lawns, pathways for strolls, and lookout points. Tourists can go Fishing within the park or have a quiet walk within the park, which overlooks a lake. It is also a place for deer and different types of birds, attracting many people who enjoy nature. It is geographically located and presents an excellent view of the meeting point of the Teesta and Relli rivers, and is more colourful in the morning and evening.
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Time Required: 1 to 2 hours
Entrance Fee: Free
You May Also Like To Read: Tourist Places In Darjeeling
When planning a trip to West Bengal, do not forget the Lepcha Museum in Kalimpong, a town a little closer to the hill station. This tiny cultural treasure trove is a refreshing change and promises to provide insights into the history of the region’s indigenous people. Explore the lifestyle of the Lepchas as well as the region’s gorgeous traditional artefacts and historical practices. To ensure that the above ideas work smoothly and usefully, make the Lepcha Museum an essential destination of your Himalayan tour and enhance your experience with the wisdom of the mountains.
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Cover Image Source: Amitabha Gupta for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Lepcha Museum
Are cameras permitted inside the Kalimpong Lepcha Museum?
Taking pictures is allowed, though one must request the management to do so from inside, especially when taking pictures of certain relics.
Are there any guided tours available at Lepcha Museum?
There are no established guided tours, but most of the time, the personnel are willing to explain the tour or guide the tourists around.
Is the Lepcha Museum appropriate for disabled people?
This museum is housed on the first floor of the Lepcha School building and has restricted accessibility; it is advisable to contact the museum before visiting it.
How to reach the Kalimpong Lepcha Museum?
Once you arrive at Kalimpong, you can use local taxis or auto-rickshaws to reach the museum, about 4 to 5 kms away.
Are there any shops available for sale in the Kalimpong Lepcha Museum?
There is no souvenir shop in this museum, but genuine local crafts of the Lepcha community are sold in the Kalimpong markets.
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