About Lepcha
Gumpa Monastery

Since 1690
Lepcha Bong Gumpa is an ancient Lepcha Temple(Monastery) built in 1690 CE and situated in Kalimpong, District Kalimpong. The name 'Kalimpong' originated from the earlier name 'Kaalenpung' ('Kaa' – "we", 'Len' – "gather" and 'Pung' – "ridge"). This is the first Buddhist Monastery in Kalimpong. This monastery was originally on the top of a hillock of the present-day. Army Golf Course and was then relocated to Bong Basti during the British rule in 1889.
Bong Basti locality was earlier known as 'Khasmal', During the British rule in 1800s, The Lepchas were in majority in Kalimpong, the locals here were sent to 'Kaafir' (forest). Only some Lepcha families were left in Khasmal afterwards. These families were the ones who donated for the rebuilding of Lepcha Gumpa in Khasmal.

This mantra is associated with Avalokiteshvara
Bodhisattva (called Chenrezig in Tibet) and means
"Om, jewel in the lotus, hum."