Japanese Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling

Japanese Peace Temple and Pagoda is located at Jalapahar Road can be reached with just a ten minutes drive from the main town of Darjeeling. The temple, which is also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple was built in 1972. The temple is a two-storey white structure and the Peace Pagoda that exhibits the four avatars of Lord Buddha is located at a close distance from the temple. It is a beautiful Buddhist stupa, designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace. There is a feeling of peace & serenity surrounding the monument; with the lovely carvings of various chapters from the life of Buddha adding to its beauty. The peace Pagoda was designed by M. Okha and is considered as the largest structure in this town. The diameter of this Pagoda is 23 m and it is 28.5 m high. The walls of this Pagoda are carved with statues of four avatars of Buddha that are polished in golden color. At this place, you can also witness some skillful artworks sculpted on the sand stones, portraying the life of Buddha and his vestiges. The stunning carvings on the walls of the Pagoda also have some mythological sketches such as 'Gift of Mango Grove by Amrapali at Vaishali' and 'Great departure of Siddhartha'. Visitors can partake in the daily rituals that take place between 4:30 to 6:00 in the morning and evenings. The chanting during this time is mesmerizing. In the prayer room, a priest offers a prayer, beating a drum known as Ho-ko from which a reverberating sound originates that fills the entire temple premises. The humming sound and the chants add to the solemn atmosphere.

From the top of the Pagoda, you get panoramic view of Darjeeling landscape including the Kanchenjunga range. The visitors can take photographs inside the temple but it is strictly prohibited during the prayers. If you really want to know the meaning of peace and experience it then the Japanese Temple of Darjeeling is the best place to visit.