The Tharpa Choeling Gompa (also spelled Gaden Tharpa Choling) was founded in 1922 at the top of Tirpa Hill, and is the largest and most accessible of Kalimpong's monasteries. It belongs to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism — the same tradition as the Dalai Lama — and remains an active religious community. The monastery is easy to find and well-signposted from the town centre.
The main temple contains large gilded statues of the Buddha and bodhisattvas, with traditional thangka paintings on the walls. Monks in maroon robes go about their studies and practice throughout the day. Visitors are welcome to enter the prayer hall outside puja times; remove your shoes before entering. The monastery sits on a ridge with views over the valley, and the walk up from town takes about 20 minutes through residential lanes.