Ghum, West Bengal

{{OSM Location map

| width=350| height=250| zoom=10

| coord={{coord|27|5|0|N|88|12|0|E}}| float=left|caption=Places and tea estates in the north-western portion of Darjeeling Sadar subdivision (including Darjeeling Pulbazar CD block) in Darjeeling district
CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, N: neighbourhood, H: hill centre, NP: national park/ wildlife sanctuary, TE: tea estate, TA: tourist attraction
Abbreviations used in names – TG for Tea Garden (town/village), TE for Tea Estate
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

|mark-coord1={{coord|27|3|50|N|88|12|25|E}}| label-pos1=left|label1= Chongtong TG| numbered1=CT| mark-title1= Chongtong Tea Garden (CT)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1= #A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2

|mark-coord2={{coord|27|4|50|N|88|17|58|E}}| label-pos2=left|label2=Ging TG| numbered2=CT| mark-title2= Ging Tea Garden (CT)

|mark-coord3={{coord|27|3|5|N|88|13|43|E}}| label-pos3=left|label3=Singtam TG| numbered3=CT| mark-title3= Singtam Tea Garden (CT)

|mark-coord4={{coord|27|6|25|N|88|19|0|E}}| label-pos4= right|label4=Badamtam TE| numbered4=TE| mark-title4= Badamtam Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color4=#87A96B

|mark-coord5={{coord|27|1|25|N|88|15|10|E}}| label-pos5=right |label5=Darjeeling| numbered5=M| mark-title5= Darjeeling (M)| shape-color5=#800000

|mark-coord6={{coord|27|4|35|N|88|11|30|E}}| label-pos6=left|label6=Bijanbari| numbered6=R| mark-title6= Bijanbari (R)| shape-color6=#C42222

|mark-coord7={{coord|27|6|35|N|88|6|30|E}}| label-pos7=bottom|label7=Lodhoma| numbered7=R| mark-title7= Lodhoma (R)| shape-color7=#C42222

|mark-coord8={{coord|27|4|0|N|88|16|34|E}}| label-pos8= right |label8= Puttabong TE | numbered8=TE| mark-title8= Puttabong Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color8=#87A96B

|mark-coord9={{coord|27|7|35|N|88|6|25|E}}| label-pos9=left|label9=Rimbick| numbered9=R| mark-title9= Rimbick (R)| shape-color9=#C42222

|mark-coord10={{coord|27|2|55|N|88|15|27|E}}| label-pos10=right|label10=Tukvar TG| numbered10=R| mark-title10= Tukvar Tea Garden (R)| shape-color10=#C42222

|mark-coord11={{coord|27|7|10|N|88|18|5|E}}| label-pos11=left|label11=Singla TG| numbered11=R| mark-title11= Singla Tea Garden (R)| shape-color11=#C42222

|mark-coord12={{coord|27|5|25|N|88|13|40|E}}| label-pos12=left|label12=Soom TG| numbered12=R| mark-title12= Soom Tea Garden (R)| shape-color12=#C42222

|mark-coord13={{coord|27|2|20|N|88|12|50|E}}| label-pos13=left|label13=Rishihat TG| numbered13=R| mark-title13= Rishihat Tea Garden (R)| shape-color13=#C42222

|mark-coord14={{coord|27|1|25|N|88|14|8|E}}| label-pos14=left|label14=Orange Valley TG| numbered14=R| mark-title14= Orange Valley Tea Garden (R)| shape-color14=#C42222

|mark-coord15={{coord|27|0|10|N|88|6|25|E}}| label-pos15=bottom|label15=Manebhanjyang| numbered15=R| mark-title15= Manebhanjyang, Darjeeling (R)| shape-color15=#C42222

|mark-coord16={{coord|27|1|50|N|88|5|10|E}}| label-pos16=top|label16=Tonglu| numbered16=R| mark-title16= Tonglu, West Bengal (R)| shape-color16=#C42222

|mark-coord17={{coord|27|0|40|N|88|14|47|E}}| label-pos17=right|label17=Ghum| numbered17=N| mark-title17= Ghum, West Bengal (N)|shape-color17=black| label-size17=13|label-color17=black

|mark-coord18={{coord|27|6|30|N|88|0|6|E}}| label-pos18=right|label18=Sandakphu| numbered18=H| mark-title18= Sandakphu (H)| shape-color18=#87410E

|mark-coord19={{coord|27|12|30|N|88|1|30|E}}| label-pos19=right|label19=Phalut| numbered19=H| mark-title19= Phalut (H)| shape-color19=#87410E

|mark-coord20={{coord|27|5|35|N|88|2|40|E}}| label-pos20=bottom|label20=Singalila |labela20= National|labelb20= Park| numbered20=NP| mark-title20= Singalila National Park (NP)| shape-color20=#228B22

|mark-coord21={{coord|27|6|20|N|88|16|3|E}}| label-pos21=left|label21=North Tukvar TE| numbered21=TE| mark-title21= North Tukvar Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color21=#87A96B

|mark-coord22={{coord|27|5|40|N|88|16|50|E}}| label-pos22=right|label22=Phoobsering TE| numbered22=TE| mark-title22= Phoobsering Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color22=#87A96B

|mark-coord23={{coord|26|59|45|N|88|16|42|E}}| label-pos23=right|label23=Tiger Hill| numbered23=H| mark-title23= Tiger Hill, Darjeeling (H)| shape-color23=#87410E

|mark-coord24={{coord|27|0|40|N|88|13|1|E}}| label-pos24=left|label24=Rock Garden| numbered24=TA| mark-title24= Rock Garden, Darjeeling (TA)| shape-color24=#228B22

|mark-coord25={{coord|26|59|20|N|88|15|54|E}}| label-pos25=bottom|label25=Senchal |labela25= Wildlife Sanctuary| numbered25=NP| mark-title25= Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (NP)| shape-color25=#228B22

|mark-coord26={{coord|27|9|0|N|88|2|29|E}}|label26=Singalila Ridge| label-angle26=-70| label-pos26=top| label-size26=10| mark-size26=0| mark-title26 =none

|mark-coord27={{coord|27|9|20|N|88|10|0|E}}|label27=Rangeet| label-color27 = #77A1CB| label-angle27=70| label-pos27=top| label-size27=10| mark-size27=0| mark-title27 =none

|mark-coord28={{coord|27|7|1|N|88|12|0|E}}|label28= River| label-color28 = #77A1CB| label-angle28=7| label-pos28=top| label-size28=10| mark-size28=0| mark-title28 =none

|mark-coord29={{coord|27|7|0|N|88|7|50|E}}|label29= Rammam|labela29=River| label-color29 = #77A1CB| label-angle29=15| label-pos29=top| label-size29=10| mark-size29=0| mark-title329 =none

|arc-coordA={{coord|27|10|57|N|88|11|50|E}}|arc-textA= SIKKIM| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=-161| arc-gapA=-4| arc-radiusA=0.7

|arc-coordB={{coord|27|1|0|N|87|59|0|E}}|arc-textB= NEPAL| arc-text-colorB=hard grey| arc-angleB=40| arc-gapB=3.5| arc-radiusB=0.4

}}

Ghum is located at {{coord|27.0102|N|88.2465|E|region:IN|format=dms|display=inline}}.

The map alongside shows the northern portion of the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region. Kangchenjunga, which rises with an elevation of {{convert|8586|m}} is located further north of the area shown.{{cite book |author=Gurung, H. |author2=Shrestha, R. K. |name-list-style=amp |year=1994 |title=Nepal Himalaya Inventory |publisher=Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation |location=Kathmandu}} Sandakphu, rising to a height of {{convert|3665|m}}, on the Singalila Ridge, is the highest point in West Bengal.{{cite web | url = https://himalayanhigh.in/sandakphu-phalut-trek| title = Sandakphu-Phalut Trek| publisher = Himalayan High |access-date = 21 March 2020}} In Darjeeling Sadar subdivision 61% of the total population lives in the rural areas and 39% of the population lives in the urban areas.{{cite web | url = http://darjeeling.gov.in/dist-prof.html | title = Darjeeling | work =District Profile - General Information | publisher = District administration |access-date = 21 March 2020 }}{{cite web |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling |work = Tables 2.2, 2.4b |publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 21 March 2020}} There are 78 tea gardens/ estates (the figure varies slightly according to different sources), producing and largely exporting Darjeeling tea in the district. It engages a large proportion of the population directly/ indirectly.{{cite web | url = http://www.darjeeling.gov.in/darj-tea.html | title = Darjeeling Tea | publisher = District administration | access-date = 21 March 2020 | archive-date = 11 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190911133459/http://www.darjeeling.gov.in/darj-tea.html | url-status = dead }} Some tea gardens were identified in the 2011 census as census towns or villages.{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/pcadata/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = 2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables | work= West Bengal – District-wise |publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 21 March 2020 }} Such places are marked in the map as CT (census town) or R (rural/ urban centre). Specific tea estate pages are marked TE.

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full-screen map.

Darjeeling hills has a high concentration of Indian Army servicemen and ex-servicemen. Since independence in 1947, seventy-six soldiers of the Darjeeling area have died in service. In 1976, Manish Gupta, then Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling, took the initiative to build a War Memorial and a committee was formed. In 1984, Batasia was selected as the site of the war memorial. In 1991, Subhas Ghising, chairman of Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council, agreed to finance the construction of the war memorial.Agarwala, A.P., p. 48

The war memorial consists of a sanctified raised oval platform, {{convert|37|by|24|ft|m|sigfig=1}}, with a {{convert|9|ft|m|adj=on|sigfig=1}} high bronze statue and a {{convert|30|ft|m|adj=on|sigfig=1}} high triangular granite cenotaph, on a {{convert|3|ft|m|adj=on|sigfig=1}} octagonal base, with the Roll of honour engraved on it. The bronze statue was sculptured by Gautam Pal of Krishnanagar.

Yi Gha Choling Gompa is more popularly known as Ghum Monastery. located opposite to the Ghoom Post Office is a road called Monastery road which leads to Yiga Choling Monastery. Many travel guides and taxi drivers take tourist to the monastery located below Hill Cart road and Ghum Railway station which is Samten Choeling monastery and called it old Ghoom monastery as it is on the main road and easier for them. Yiga Choling Monastery is at an elevation of 8000 feet and is situated {{cvt|8|km}} from Darjeeling . It was established in 1850 by the famous Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso. He was later succeeded by very venerable late Khabje Domo Geshe Ngawang Kalsang Rinpoche. It was during Domo Geshi Rinpoche's tenure that the 15 feet high image of the great Maitreya Buddha was commissioned. It still stands majestically inside the main monastery for all to glimpse and pay respects.{{cite web|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com|title=Darjeeling Tourism}} There are three other gompas in Ghum: Samten Choeling, the Sakyachoeling, and the Phin.{{cite web |url=http://www.travel-westbengal.com/darj_sight.htm |title=Sight-seeing |publisher=travel-westbengal.com |access-date=2007-06-13 |work=West Bengal cities |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629001531/http://www.travel-westbengal.com/darj_sight.htm#Tiger%20Hill |archive-date=29 June 2007 |df=dmy }}

On the Ghum-Sukhiapokri road, at an altitude of {{convert|7900|ft|m}} stands a huge detached rock offering a grand view of the Balsan Valley and the hills beyond. Garg World, an amusement park is the latest attraction.A Road Guide to Darjiling, p. 10,

Ghum is the meeting point of several roads. The Hill Cart Road from Siliguri to Darjeeling runs through the town. It is {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} from Darjeeling, {{convert|24|km|abbr=on}} from Kurseong via Sonada, and about {{convert|45|km|abbr=on}} via Lopchu. Another road leads to Mongpu and thence to the Kalimpong-Siliguri road. There is a road to Kurseong via Dow Hill. Sukhiapokhri, almost on the India-Nepal border, is {{convert|11|km|abbr=on}} on the road to Mirik.A Road Guide to Darjiling, map on p. 16, TTK Healthcare Ltd, Publications Division, {{ISBN|81-7053-173-X}}.

Ghoom Jorebunglow College was established in 2004 at Ghum. It offers honours courses in Nepali, English, history, geography, political science, economics, sociology, education and a general course in arts.{{cite web| url = http://ghoomjorebunglowcollege.com/ |title = Ghoom Jorebunglow College |publisher= GJC | access-date = 27 February 2020 }}{{cite web| url = https://www.careers360.com/colleges/ghoom-jorebunglow-degree-college-darjeeling |title = Ghoom Jorebunglow Degree College, Darjeeling |publisher= Careers 360 | access-date = 27 February 2020 }}

Ghoom Boys School is a private boys only higher secondary school.{{cite web | url = https://targetstudy.com/school/47594/ghoom-boys-high-school/ | title = Ghoom Boys High School| publisher =Target Study |access-date = 23 March 2020}}

Ghoom Girls Higher Secondary School is an English-medium girls only institution with facilities for teaching from class V to class XII.{{cite web | url = https://www.icbse.com/schools/ghoom-girls-h-s-school-0rn5rq | title = Ghoom Girls Higher Secondary School| publisher = ICBSE |access-date = 23 March 2020}}

There is a primary health centre, with 6 beds at Ghum.{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/PHC.pdf | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work = Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres | publisher = Government of West Bengal | access-date = 23 March 2020 | archive-date = 21 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180421215645/https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/PHC.pdf | url-status = dead }}

File:Yiga Choeling Monastery, Ghum 02.jpg|Yiga Choeling Monastery

File:Ghoom.jpg|Ghoom Monastery, Darjeeling, 2017

File:Buddha Statue in Samten Choling Monastery - Ghum (Ghoom) - Near Darjeeling - West Bengal - India (12432093245).jpg|Buddha statue in Samten Choling Monastery

File:Batasia Loop War Memorial of Darjeeling.jpg|Batasia Loop War Memorial

File:Ghum.jpg|View from Batasia loop

File:Ghum Railway station.jpg|Ghum railway station

File:Toy Train Darjeeling West Bengal India (3).JPG|Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - toy train

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Ghum}}

{{commons category|Batasia Loop}}

{{Darjeeling District}}

Category:Tourist attractions in Darjeeling

Category:Geography of Darjeeling district