Magdhog Yolmowa Monastery - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 4 km from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Magdhog Yolmowa Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located on the Old Military Road in Darjeeling town of West Bengal. Popularly known as Aloobari Monastery, it is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Darjeeling and also among the must visit Tourist Places in Darjeeling.

The monastery was built in 1914 AD under the supervision of Sri Sangay Lama, a highly revered religious head of the Yolmowa - a small ethnic group hailing from north-east of Nepal and who later settled in Darjeeling. The construction of the monastery was coincided with the beginning of the First World War. The name Mag-Dhog means warding off the war and the monastery was dedicated for world peace.

The monastery has several idols of Lord Buddha and Padmasambhava. The paintings on the walls are said to be done with the help of herbs and grass - an amazing work of art. Each painting depicts a story or teaching about life. The monastery also preserves several ancient Buddhist manuscripts. Tourists and devotees are attracted by the serenity and peacefulness of this beautiful complex. It also provides training and refuge to approximately 250 monks.

Timings: 9 AM to 4 PM