Rumtek Monastery

The picturesque 24 km drive from Gangtok to the impressive Rumtek Monastery takes you through some of the prettiest areas around the town. This lavishly built monastery is said tobe a replica of the Tsurphu Monastery of the Kagyupa order, in Tibet. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, but visitors can imbibe of the tranquil air and beautiful location while soaking in the significant cultural elements, which make it a must visit.

When the Chinese occupied Tibet. His holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, the 16th incarnate of the original Gyalwa Karmapa of Tibet and head of the Kaguypa sect of Buddhism, took refuge in Sikkim. The Chogyal of Sikkim gifted him some land to establish a new monastery.

With its beautiful traditional architecture, carved and painted woodwork, magnificent murals and treasures of manuscripts and icons, Rumtek is a splendid example f the Tibetan monastic art in Sikkim. It is now the residence of his Holiness and the headquarters of the Dharma Chakra Religious Centre. The monastery also offers employment, education and medical help.

The old RUmtek Monastery (now entirely renovated), built in the reign of the fourth Chogyal, is a short distance away. A Sikkimese lad who learnt his trade from the lamas has embellished it with monastic paintings in the traditional style. Enshrined here is a stone slab marked with the footprint of Guru Padmasambhava.