Mahakal Temple atop the Observatory Hill in Darjeeling is another reason for you to plan an exotic vacation at Darjeeling. A beautiful amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist cultures, Mahakal Temple stands as a magnanimous and historical edifice at the place where a Buddhist Monastery by the name of ‘Dorje Ling’ once stood. Legends says that shiva-lingas representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar have manifested themselves here in the year 1782. And hence emerged the Mahakal Temple of Darjeeling, a much revered and believed religious shrine of the scenic hill station.

The temple witness heavy footfall from people of all sections of society. Either for a leisure visit or a pilgrimage trip, people love to visit the shrine and lay down their holy prayers and offerings to the Lord. While the gold plated idols of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar soothes worried eyes of devotees, the magical sound of prayers chanted by Hindu priests and lines from Buddhist Holy Scriptures read by Buddhist monks heal the mind and cheer up the mood. Bells and hundreds of colorful prayer flags hung all over the shrine continuously narrate the presence of holiness in the air of the surrounding. A spectacular religious ambience juxtaposed by breathtaking panoramas of Himalayan ranges is no doubt a unique proposition of Mahakal Temple.

Tourists on a trip to Mahakal Temple should know that:

1. they should be careful of the mischievous monkeys that roam around the complex,
2. they should dedicate at least an hour to the temple, and
3. they should prepare themselves for a long trek along a route that goes from behind the Mall Road.