AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR SOLITARY/GROUP RETREAT & LODGING FOR TOURIST
A small retreat cum lodge in the outskirt of Kalimpong town, Echhey, at a height of 4600 ft. called Dhardo Retreat is a dream come true for all those who wish to use it for spiritual practice in solitary environment!
In the words of great renown 11th century Buddhist yogi Milarepa - 'Religion without practicing meditation is incomplete' and further says - but meditation in complete solitary confinement is the only answer to achieve ones ultimate goal!
History
When you speak and search for ideal location for solitary meditation - a blessing in disguise, the final destination is - Echhey, a small sleepy village but has a rich culture and history of around 130 years old where once the largest number of hermitages/retreats exist, spread over in the area of 68 acres of this village of Kalimpong. Thus, making it this location quite significantly, a very special one truly blessed earth by all those souls ! who once spent sometime here doing long solitary retreat and have achieved something in life!
So why not come and take this opportunity and try yourself for the first time and spend sometime on the very sacred soil and serene environment and feel & experience the difference spiritually - be it for mental peace and self contentment; if not, a total liberation from Samsara!
Charges for Retreat Stays
The following charges apply.
For group retreat bookings - more than 2 persons, concessional rates available.
Accomodation & Other Facilities
- Has hexagonal structure in keeping with the concept of Vedic way to help concentrate in meditation.
- The narrow spiral staircases made for exit & entry to remind the meditators and tourists alike to feel and experience of the great past meditators who while ascending and descending the roughed mountain caves.
- Has facility for solitary as well as group retreats for persons 4 to 6 only.
- For tourists, maximum eight (8) persons.
- Independent bedroom with attached shower and toilet, with a kitchen.
- Rooms having wall to wall carpeting with small low tables for writing and dining, and a foam seat with back rest cushion for meditation.
- Ground floor is an open hall with sitting area and houses an art/photo gallery with a small library.
- A thatched bamboo hut (gazebo) to sit, chat and enjoy tea.
- A landscape (model) showing the renown meditators of the past.
- A three foot wide footpath extends all around the compound illuminated at night with backup power supply.
- Guests can view old Thangkas of 36 Buddha of confession and a unique old altar, a personal handiwork of late speech incarnation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgay (erstwhile religious and temporal head of Bhutan).
- Opportunity to visit the house where Ven. Sangharakshita once lived, the head of Western Buddhist Order, friend and disciple of late 2nd Dhardo Rinpoche located at 8th mile Kalimpong, only 8 k.m away.
- Nourishing and tasty vegetarian food is provided from the self grown organic vegetable garden.
- Guests will have option to cook themselves or can have meals ordered as per menu available.
- For tourists, non-vegetarian dish as per menu can be arranged on demand apart from usual vegetarian meal.
- Transport is available on demand with extra charges.
Trekking & Sight Seeing
For tourists as well as for those interested retreatants a day's short trekking/sight seeing around the important tourist spots of Kalimpong will be arranged with guides on demand.
For Tourists
Alternatively, when there are no retreat bookings at any time of the year, it will also available for lodging facility for tourists numbering 8 individuals maximum at a time. The tariffs are as follows :-
Single Room - Rs. 750/-
Double Room - Rs. 1080/- with two beds
For tourists as well, vegetarian food is genrally served but a few non-veg items are made available on demand as per the menu provided.
How to Get There
The Dhardo Retreat-cum-Lodge is located at Echhey, 13.5 Mile on the highway Reshi road, 6 k.m. from Kalimpong town towards Algarah and it is around 68 k.m. from Siliguri/2 hrs., 82 k.m. from NJP Rly. Station/2.45 hrs and 85 k.m from Bagdogra Airport/2.55 hrs.
Get in Touch
For reservations and more information please contact directly through e-mail or phone.
The Dhardo Retreat Centre
Lhuendup Villa, 13.5 Mile, Echhey
P.O.Kalimpong - 734301
West Bengal, India
Tel: +91.3552. 274 191 Mobile: +91.99329 15420
Email: lwangdibhutia@gmail.com
A small retreat cum lodge in the outskirt of Kalimpong town, Echhey, at a height of 4600 ft. called Dhardo Retreat is a dream come true for all those who wish to use it for spiritual practice in solitary environment!
In the words of great renown 11th century Buddhist yogi Milarepa - 'Religion without practicing meditation is incomplete' and further says - but meditation in complete solitary confinement is the only answer to achieve ones ultimate goal!
History
When you speak and search for ideal location for solitary meditation - a blessing in disguise, the final destination is - Echhey, a small sleepy village but has a rich culture and history of around 130 years old where once the largest number of hermitages/retreats exist, spread over in the area of 68 acres of this village of Kalimpong. Thus, making it this location quite significantly, a very special one truly blessed earth by all those souls ! who once spent sometime here doing long solitary retreat and have achieved something in life!
So why not come and take this opportunity and try yourself for the first time and spend sometime on the very sacred soil and serene environment and feel & experience the difference spiritually - be it for mental peace and self contentment; if not, a total liberation from Samsara!
Charges for Retreat Stays
The following charges apply.
For group retreat bookings - more than 2 persons, concessional rates available.
Accomodation & Other Facilities
- Has hexagonal structure in keeping with the concept of Vedic way to help concentrate in meditation.
- The narrow spiral staircases made for exit & entry to remind the meditators and tourists alike to feel and experience of the great past meditators who while ascending and descending the roughed mountain caves.
- Has facility for solitary as well as group retreats for persons 4 to 6 only.
- For tourists, maximum eight (8) persons.
- Independent bedroom with attached shower and toilet, with a kitchen.
- Rooms having wall to wall carpeting with small low tables for writing and dining, and a foam seat with back rest cushion for meditation.
- Ground floor is an open hall with sitting area and houses an art/photo gallery with a small library.
- A thatched bamboo hut (gazebo) to sit, chat and enjoy tea.
- A landscape (model) showing the renown meditators of the past.
- A three foot wide footpath extends all around the compound illuminated at night with backup power supply.
- Guests can view old Thangkas of 36 Buddha of confession and a unique old altar, a personal handiwork of late speech incarnation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgay (erstwhile religious and temporal head of Bhutan).
- Opportunity to visit the house where Ven. Sangharakshita once lived, the head of Western Buddhist Order, friend and disciple of late 2nd Dhardo Rinpoche located at 8th mile Kalimpong, only 8 k.m away.
- Nourishing and tasty vegetarian food is provided from the self grown organic vegetable garden.
- Guests will have option to cook themselves or can have meals ordered as per menu available.
- For tourists, non-vegetarian dish as per menu can be arranged on demand apart from usual vegetarian meal.
- Transport is available on demand with extra charges.
Trekking & Sight Seeing
For tourists as well as for those interested retreatants a day's short trekking/sight seeing around the important tourist spots of Kalimpong will be arranged with guides on demand.
For Tourists
Alternatively, when there are no retreat bookings at any time of the year, it will also available for lodging facility for tourists numbering 8 individuals maximum at a time. The tariffs are as follows :-
Single Room - Rs. 750/-
Double Room - Rs. 1080/- with two beds
For tourists as well, vegetarian food is genrally served but a few non-veg items are made available on demand as per the menu provided.
How to Get There
The Dhardo Retreat-cum-Lodge is located at Echhey, 13.5 Mile on the highway Reshi road, 6 k.m. from Kalimpong town towards Algarah and it is around 68 k.m. from Siliguri/2 hrs., 82 k.m. from NJP Rly. Station/2.45 hrs and 85 k.m from Bagdogra Airport/2.55 hrs.
Get in Touch
For reservations and more information please contact directly through e-mail or phone.
The Dhardo Retreat Centre
Lhuendup Villa, 13.5 Mile, Echhey
P.O.Kalimpong - 734301
West Bengal, India
Tel: +91.3552. 274 191 Mobile: +91.99329 15420
Email: lwangdibhutia@gmail.com
THE DHARDO RETREAT & LODGE - KALIMPONG
| Duration of Stay |
Cost per day (Indian Rupees) |
Meal Charges |
| 1 to 3 weeks | 340 | Charges as per Menu |
| 4 to 6 weeks | 280 | Charges as per Menu |
| 2 to 3 months | 220 | Charges as per Menu |
| 4 to 6 months | 190 | Charges as per Menu |
All Rights Reserved. 2010. Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Institute
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The Dhardo Retreat Centre
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