Pedong
| Pedong | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
  Pedong | |
| Coordinates: 27°09′N 88°37′E / 27.15°N 88.62°ECoordinates: 27°09′N 88°37′E / 27.15°N 88.62°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | West Bengal |
| District | Darjeeling |
| Elevation | 1,240 m (4,070 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 19,000 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Bengali, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 734 311 |
| Telephone code | 03552 |
| Vehicle registration | WB-78, 79 |
Pedong (pop. 19,000 est.) is a town in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal, located at 27°09′00″N 88°37′00″E / 27.15°N 88.6167°E.
Geography
Pedong lies 20 km east of Kalimpong on the way to Lava at an altitude of 1,240 metres (4.071 feet). The town, which is located on a ridge, commands a panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan mountains. The town is divided into two parts, Upper Pedong and Lower Pedong. Pedong lies on the historic Silk Road that connects India to Lhasa via the Jelepla Pass.
Places
Near Pedong are the ruins of Damsang Gadi, a historical fort built in 1690 AD by the Lepchas. It was at the centre of the long-standing feud with the Dukpas of Bhutan. Later, it was used to ward off the forces of the British East India Company. After the Anglo-Bhutan War of 1864 AD, the fort fell into decay. The Damsang fort (Damsang Gadi) is the only fort in the entire district of Darjeeling. It was home to the last Lepcha King- Gyabo Achuk as the Lepcha people are the real natives of this place.
Another highlight of the town is the Cross Hill, placed by priest Fr. Augustine Desgodins in 1882 AD on his way to Tibet. In the Tibet Mission a lot of Evangelists lost their lives or never came back from Tibet. Fr. Augustine Desgodins in due memory of them erected a cross at a vantage point facing Tibet directly with a hope that someday the evangelists may return. It is considered to have miraculous powers and is a pilgrimage site for the local Christians. The Cross Hill is located at such a point wherein the view of the facing mountains is magnificent. From here one can get a glimpse of Tibet or now the The peoples Republic of Chinese border. It is a perfect sunset point.
St. George's Higher Secondary School is a Christian missionary school and one of the famous boarding school here. There are also many nursery schools in this town. The villages near Pedong include Sakyong, Kasyong, Dalep, Kagey, Upper Menchu and Lower Menchu.
Sangchen Dorjee Monastery is one of the oldest monastery in Pedong-Kalimpong region and was built during the Bhutanese rule. This Monastery was established around the early 1700 AD. It provides historical insight into the history and culture of the place. Known as Sangchen Dorjee Gumba also has fresco paintings on the inner walls of the main chamber depicting Tantric Buddhism. Gumpha Dance (Chyaam dance) or the Buddhist Mask dance is also held here annually. It has now become the centre of Shabdrung Rimpoche (known as the Dharma Raja of Bhutan). The last Shabdrung Rimpoche had relocated to Pedong and expired few years ago. His human form has been preserved at Pedong and will be encased in a Stupa/Chorten on an auspicious day. This place has become an important pilgrimage for the Bhutanese and other followers of the Drukpa Khargu tradition of Buddhism.
Accommodation
Pedong is an upcoming tourist hub. A number of tourist lodges and restaurants are being established to meet the demand of the tourists who visit this place twice in the year, once during spring and again during autumn.
Travel
Pedong can be reached from Siliguri via Kalimpong with a 3-hour drive covering 100 km.
Flora and Fauna
Pedong is rich in avifauna. Various species of Himalayan and lowland birds can be seen around Pedong.
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