One of the most gorgeous states is Sikkim, a little one in northeastern India. Mount Kanchenjunga, the tallest mountain in India, is located in Sikkim. The magical land of the Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim. There are numerous Buddhist monasteries located throughout Sikkim. They are not merely well-known tourist attractions in Sikkim; they are also institutions for Buddhist education. They have been passed down through the years with a legacy of conventional Buddhist teachings. You will be shocked to learn that Sikkim alone has more than 200 Buddhist monasteries. However, some of these are renowned for their breathtaking scenery and the enduring Buddhist culture found there.
- Ralang Monastery
One of the stunning Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim is the Ralang Monastery. There is a substantial collection of Tibetan artwork in this monastery. This monastery’s gompa architecture is striking in and of itself. This monastery has a variety of vantage points from which you may see the surrounding area. At the monastery’s annual Pang Lhabsol celebration, the Kagyed dance is performed by the monks.
Special features: Inside the temple, Kewzing Monastery, Tumlong, Mangbrue Gompa, and Viewpoint are collections of artwork.
Ralang Monastery Location: The closest airport is Bagdogra, while the closest rail station to Ravangla is New Jalpaiguri. For Namchi, taxis are available from Bagdogra and Siliguri. You can travel in a private or shared vehicle from Namchi to Ravangla. There is one final hike from Ravangla to the monastery.
- The Rumtek Monastery
One of the most well-known and substantial Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim is Rumtek Monastery. To propagate the Buddha’s teachings throughout the world, Wangchuk Dorje established this monastery. In the sixteenth century, he, the ninth Karmapa Lama, constructed Rumtek Monastery. In Rumtek Monastery, numerous Buddhist monks reside. This gompa has some of the most impressive architecture you’ll ever see in Sikkim. To go to Rumtek Monastery’s main hall, you must first walk for a while. In this monastery, there are picturesque vantage spots from which you can see the picturesque Sikkim scenery.
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Special features: Botanical garden
Rumtek Monastery Location: Private cabs are offered from Gangtok to Rumtek Monastery. There is also a bus service that runs from the city to the monastery.
- The Pemayangtse Monastery
The oldest monastery in Sikkim is Pemayangtse Monastery. It is more than 300 years old, and Tibetan symbols, paintings, and murals are used to embellish the interior. A “perfect sublime lotus” is what Pemayangtse implies. When visiting this monastery in Sikkim, it’s worth keeping an eye out for the superb woodwork and the monastery’s elaborate architecture. You may keep an eye out for the Kanchenjunga peak from Pemayangtse Monastery.
Special features: On internal woodwork and pillars, there are old manuscripts.
Pemayangtse Monastery location: You may simply take a taxi directly to Pemayangtse Monastery from Pelling and Gangtok.
- The Phodong Monastery
One of Sikkim’s most stunning monasteries is Phodong Monastery. King Gyurmed Namgyal constructed the monastery, which is of the Buddhist Kagyupa Sect. The Phodong Monastery features exquisite Tibetan architecture and is decorated inside and out with murals, paintings, Tibetan themes, and scenes from Buddhist texts. In Phodong Monastery, over 260 Buddhist monks are housed. Losoong Festival, an annual Tibetan celebration that takes place in December, is a religious event conducted in Phodong Monastery where you can see masked monks perform the Chaam dance.
Special features: 260 noble monks, the Labrang Monastery, and Tumlong
Phodong Monastery Location: The closest airport is Bagdogra Airport. Major road connections make Gangtok easily accessible. From Gangtok, shared and private jeeps travel to the monastery.
- Tashiding Monastery
Tashiding Monastery is one of Sikkim’s most well-known and often visited monasteries. It was constructed in the 17th century, making it exceedingly old. Following the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism is Tashiding Monastery. The Tashiding Monastery is positioned on top of a hill between the Rathong and Rangit rivers. The sacred ceremony known as Bhumchhu, which is carried out in this monastery, is a lucky occasion filled with celebrations and age-old customs.
Special features: Outside the monastery, Ravangla, and Yuksom are inscribed on a stone slab.
Tashiding Monastery location: situated close to Pelling. From all major cities, private taxis may take you to the monastery.
- Tsuklakhang Monastery
In Sikkim’s Tsuklakhang Palace is where you’ll find the monastery. Members of Sikkim’s royal family frequently visit and pray at this monastery. This monastery’s interiors are embellished with wooden sculptures, wall artwork, murals, Buddhist symbols, and scriptures. Buddha and other deities from Buddhist mythology are depicted in sculptures and images. The two most important festivals observed at Tsuklakhang Monastery are Phang Lhabsol and Losoong. During these events, you can learn a lot about the distinctive Tibetan culture in addition to watching the monks dance the Chaam to ceremonial music while donning masks.
Special features: The Losar celebration, the Pang Lhabsol festival, and fine Tibetan architecture.
How to get there: A private vehicle can easily go from Gangtok to the Tsuklakhang Monastery. The railhead that is nearest to Gangtok is NJP.
- Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi Monastery is one of the most picturesque due to its hilltop location. A monastery of the Nyingma branch of Tibetan Buddhism can be found at Dubdi Monastery. One of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, this monastery dates back to 1701. From this monastery, you can see the gorgeously lovely Yuksom Valley. To get to this monastery, you must travel through forested roads and a forest of dense trees, which is a path of breathtaking beauty. Buddhist deities are depicted in murals, paintings, sculptures, and inscriptions throughout this monastery.
Special Attractions: Some of the neighboring must-see locations include Khangchendzonga National Park, Norbugang Chorten, Tashi Tenka, Kartok Monastery, and Tashiding Monastery.
Dubdi Monastery Location: A shared Jeep or public buses that leave from Geyzing or Pelling can take you to Yuksom. To go to the monastery, one can also hail a cab on their own.
- The Enchey Monastery
Solitary Temple is what Enchey Monastery is called. In Sikkim, there is a 200-year-old Buddha monastery. According to Buddhist mythology, this monastery was built by Lama Druptob Karpo, a well-known Tibetan Tantrik who possessed the ability to fly. The Vajrayana school of Buddhism has monasteries, one of which is Enchey Monastery. Here, Guru Padmasambhava, Loki Sharia, and Buddha are venerated. The Chaam dance, in which monks celebrate the Tibetan calendar’s new year while donning Tibetan masks, is a unique feature of Enchey Monastery.
Special features: Chaam is a religious dance performed by performers wearing masks during lunar month festivals.
Enchey Monastery location: The journey to Kartok Monastery from Gangtok City is ten minutes via cab.
- Kartok Monastery
Yuksom Village in Sikkim is home to Kartok Monastery. This monastery is surrounded by beautiful scenery. This monastery is directly across from Lake Kartok. The red, golden, orange, and white hues of the Kartok Monastery make it a striking sight. In this monastery, you may enjoy the leisurely chanting of the monks and the prayer flags. This monastery is worth seeing in Yuksom, as are others close by such as Dubdi Monastery and Ngadak Chorling Monastery. When you go to this monastery, you can visit the fossils near Kartok Lake.
Special features: The breathtaking scenery around the monastery, Kartok Lake, and the fossil-rich area next to the lake.
Kartok Monastery’s location: From locations like Pelling and Geyzing, Yuksom is easily accessible.
- The Lingdum Monastery
As Ranka Monastery, Lingdum Monastery is well known. This is one of Sikkim’s most breathtakingly magnificent Buddhist monasteries. With its vivid colors, the unique building stands out against the surrounding forests’ lush surroundings. The most recent monastery to be erected in Sikkim is Lingdum Monastery, which was established in 1999. Watch out for the prayer wheels, ornate murals, and handmade wall hangings throughout this monastery. There is a sizable courtyard with statues of Guru Padmasambhava and Buddha. This monastery also houses a large number of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. This Lingdum Monastery served as the backdrop for numerous Bollywood films.
Lingdum Monastery Location: From the capital, the monastery is conveniently accessible by private automobile.
These Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim are distinctive because of their lengthy histories, beautiful locations, and mountainous scent. Admire the magnificent architecture, lengthy history, and stunning locations of these monasteries.
