Top 10 Best Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim

Sikkim is a beautiful state that is nestled amidst Himalayas, which offers you with monasteries, reverberating sceneries and architectural marvels. The monasteries present in Sikkim have immense cultural significance and rich history. Over the past decades, over 200 big and small Gompas or monasteries have been built around Sikkim, out of which here is top 10 Best Buddhist monasteries that you must visit on your Sikkim journey.      

Here are the list of Top 10 Best Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim:

• Pemayangtse Monastery
• Rumtek Monastery
• Enchey Monastery
• Phensang Monastery
• Phodang Monastery
• Tashiding Monastery
• Lachen Monastery
• Dubdi Monastery
• Ralang Monastery
• Do Drul Chorten

Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim

Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse Monastery is situated in West Sikkim and the word “Pemayangtse” refers to Consummate Sublime Lotus. This monastery is one of the popular Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim that is visited by tourists from different parts of India. The monastery offers you a panoramic view of the Himalayan range along with the surrounding beauty of the monastery. You can stroll around the monastery to witness the serene beauty around it.

The timing to visit this monastery is between 9 AM to 6 PM and requires an entry fee worth Rs 20. It is also considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim that is situated near to Rabdentse ruins. This monastery is dedicated to preserve and promote the Nyingma order.  The monks here are chosen among the Bhutias of Sikkim and are recognized by the red hats worn by them.  

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit this monastery is between the months of March and June, when the skies are clear and you get a clear view of the surroundings as well as see the Himalayan range.  

How to Reach

Pemayangtse Monastery is situated at a distance of 121 km from Gangtok, which will take around 4 hours and 15 minutes to reach there. On the other hand, if you are travelling from Pelling, then it will take around 28 minutes to cover a distance of 8.9 km. 

Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery is also called Dharma Chakra Centre, which is the largest monastery in Sikkim. The monastery is renowned for their Kagyu teachings, rare collection of Buddhist art and Tibetan architecture. The monastery is also the replica of the actual monastery in Tsurpu, Tibet. This monastery faces towards Gangtok and is the seat of the Gyalwang Karmapa and is also an important seat of the Kagyau lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

The monastery aims at spreading the lessons of Buddhism throughout the world. The monastery was founded by the 9th Karmapa Lama, Wangchuk Dorje, back in the 16th century. There is also a Buddhism college that is just opposite to the monastery, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.  

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Rumtek Monastery is between the months of October to December and March to June, which is the autumn and summer season respectively. Travelling during this period will offer you a clear surrounding and sky.  

How to Reach

Rumtek Monastery is located at a close proximity to Gangtok, which takes around 55 minutes to Rach the monastery by travelling a distance of 21.7 km. 

Also read: Tourist Places around Sikkim

Enchey Monastery

Enchey Monastery is another beautiful piece of architecture and culture. Enchey Monastery is also referred as Solitary Monastery and has a myth of the protecting deities, Yabdean and Khangchendzonga, resides in this monastery. It is also a crucial place for Nyingmapa community of Vajrayana school of Buddhism.

Another story related with this monastery is of the famous flying tantric Lama Druptob Karpo, who flew from Maenam Hill to the place and then had built a small gompa. Later, under the rule of Sidkeong Tulku, the monastery has been redesigned in Chinese pagoda style and offered residence to 90 priests. The local Buddhist communities and Sikkimese government had takes steps to promote and preserve the monastery, which became a cultural and spiritual itinerary for the travellers.   

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Enchey Monastery is during the months of September to October and March to June, when you will get clear skies and a pleasant temperature to witness the beauty of the monastery. 

How to Reach

Enchey Monastery is also located near Gangtok, which is at a distance of 2.9 km and will take approximately 8 minutes to reach the monastery.

Phensang Monastery

Phensang Sangag Choling Monastery offers you picturesque scenery, as it is situated on a hill and is one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim and also holds the highest number of priests. In the year 1721, the third Lhatsun Jigmed Pawo inaugurated this monastery. However, in 1947, the monastery was on fire and in 1983 the structure of the monastery was damaged due to heavy rainfall, which later was restored with government contribution.

The monastery has a number of frescos and mural paintings that are very delicate and unique, which has been preserved from a long period of time. The gate of the monastery opens at 9 AM and closes by 5 PM. Visiting the monastery on 28th and 29th of December, you can gain a first hand experience of the Buddhist festival , where the monks perform sacred dances and you get the chance to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture.   

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Phensang Monastery is between October to Mid-December and March to late May, when you will get clear skies as well as a suitable temperature to explore the monastery in a comfortable manner.   

How to Reach

You can travel to Phensang Monastery from Gangtok by covering a distance of 29.4 km within an estimated time period of 1 hour. 

Also read: Vegetarian Indian Restaurants in Sikkim

Phodang Monastery

Phodang Monastery is situated at an elevation of 4500 feet above the sea level, which was established by the fourth King Gyurmed Namgyal and follows the Kagyupa Sect. It is also called Karma Thubten Tashi Chokhorling and is believed that the monastery offers shelter to over 260 priests following the Kagyu lineage.

The monastery has a collection of frescos, art work and  mesmerizing wall paintings that awstrucks the visitors. The construction of this monastery began in the year 1734 and completed in 1740, in between this time period, the king left for heaven. You can also experience Tibetan New Year or  Losoong festival in this monastery during the 28th and 29th of December. The monastery remain open to public from 8 AM till 5 PM.   

Best Time to Visit

It is best to visit Phodang Monastery during the months of March to May and October to December, when the temperature is pleasantly warm and makes travelling comfortable as well as offer a clear view to the surrounding scenery. 

How to Reach

Phodang Monastery is near to Gangtok, within a distance of 39.3 km, which requires approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach the destination. 

Tashiding Monastery

Tashiding Monastery showcases a serene ambience and traditional charm to the visitors, highlighting spirituality and enlightenment. Tashiding Monastery is situated at an elevation of 1465 meters above the sea level in the West Sikkim. The travelers seeking peace and tranquility feel attracted to this monastery as this monastery has a background of snow capped mountain peaks. This monastery is a must visit for the travelers as this monastery is believed to purify the sins of the visitors who are looking towards obtaining enlightenment.

The Nyingmpa order owns the Tashiding Monastery and was built back in the 17th century, in between two charming rivers Rathong and Rangit. Tashiding Monastery also provides shelter to approximately 60 to 70 monks. You can also dive into the cultural festival of Bhumchhu, which occurs on the 14th and 15th day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar, which is February.  

Best Time to Visit

Tashiding Monastery is ideal to visit during the months of March to June, as during these months the weather remains pleasant and the skies are clear, which helps the travelers to witness the monastery in full grandeur. 

How to Reach

Tashiding Monastery is situated at a distance of 105 km from Gangtok, which takes about 4 hours and 12 minutes to reach the destination. On the other hand, the monastery is situated at a close proximity from Yuksom, as the distance is 23.8 km, which requires a travel time of 58 minutes (approx.). 

Lachen Monastery

Lachen Monastery is also known as Launching Gompa or as Ngodub Choling that offers a scenic view that serves fest for the eyes and has been a popular tourist destination. The monastery was built in 1858 by the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Initially, the monastery was a small hut called Karchen Dorje Drak, which was built by Lama Karchen Dorje Drak and later developed by 8 monks.

The monastery also features a statue of Guru Padmasambhava and the premises of the monastery is filled with prayer wheels and prayer flags. The monastery also hosts some of the major ceremonies including the annual mask dance. Lachen Monastery is open to public from 7 AM till 5 PM.   

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Lachen Monastery is between the months of March to June, when you can explore the monastery at a pleasant temperature and climate. 

How to Reach

Lachen Monastery is located at a distance of 120 km from Gangtok, which requires about 4 hours and 44 minutes to reach the destination. On the other hand, the monastery is situated at a close distance of 3.4 km from Lachen, which takes around 10 minutes to travel there. Visitors will require either Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit this monastery, as it is being located in a sensitive area. 

Also read: Best Things To Do in Sikkim

Dubdi Monastery

Dubdi Monastery is also known as Yuksom monastery and is considered sacred by the Buddhist of the Nyingma group of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was built back in the year 1701 during the rule of Chogyl Namgyal. This monastery is surrounded by snow capped mountains and tall trees, which adds charm to the surroundings. This two storeyed monastery is made out of stone and has a roof made with iron sheets as well as have a bell shaped dome called Gyaltshen.

It is considered to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim and is also referred as Hermit’s cell, because of the founder Lhatsun Namkha Jigme. The monastery also has a rare collection of ritual texts and manuscripts that has been preserved over decades. This monastery is open to public on all days in between 7 AM to 4 PM.      

Best Time to Visit

It is best to visit Dubdi Monastery in between the months of March and May because of the pleasant weather conditions. Moreover, the temperature also stays normal, which helps the travellers enjoy their travelling experience to the monastery.    

How to Reach

Dubdi Monastery is situated at a distance of 129 km from Gangtok that takes a travelling time of about 5 hours and 16 minutes. However, from Yuksom, it takes only 7 minutes (approx.) to travel a distance of 2.5 km to rhea the monastery.

Ralang Monastery

Ralang Monastery is also called Ralong Palchen choking that belongs to the Kagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is located in South Sikkim. The monastery was built by the 12th Gyaltsabn Rinpoche back in the year 1995. The monastery holds a unique collection of thangkas and paintings that reflects the Buddhists art and culture. As per locals, after 4th chogyal returned from pilgrimage, the 9th Karmapa threw grains of rice from Tsurphu Monastery that is located in Tibet. The rice grains fell into this place during the Rabney ceremony and as a result, the monastery was built here. You can visit the monastery in between 8 AM to 5 P<M.          

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Ralang Monastery is between September to November and March to June, when the weather remains pleasant and also attend the annual festival of Pang Lhansol.  

How to Reach

Ralang Monastery is located at a distance of 81.1 km from Gangtok, which requires a travel time of around 2 hours and 58 minutes. Again, the monastery is near to Ravangla, as it is situated at a distance of 10.2 km and needs around 23 minutes to rhea the monastery. 

Do Drul Chorten

Do Drul Chorten is a renowned tourist destination that is a huge stupa, which was built back in the year 1946 by the teacher of Trulshik Rinpoche, the 14th Dalai Lama. The golden spire in the white dome of the stupa is dedicated to Dorjee Rinpoche or Vajrakilaya, who is a significant deity of the Nyingma Order. There are 108 prayer wheels that has sacred mantras carved in them placed within the premises of Do Drul Chorten. The monastery also has a collection of sacred Kangyur relics and manuscripts that are related with Dorje Phurba. The monastery also has a complete collection of mandala set of Zuma mantras and Dorjee Rinpoche.       

Best Time to Visit

Do Drul Chorten can be visited during the early winter months (October to November), late winter months (February to March) and Summer month (March to June). Each of these three season will offer you a different experience when you visit the monastery. 

How to Reach

Do Drul Chorten lies at a close proximity to Gangtok, within a distance of 2.5 km that requires 23 minutes of travel time. 

Also read: Most Beautiful Sikkim View Points

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