ABOUT THE

Attraction

Located around 20 km from Gangtok, on a hillock, the Rumtek monastery is also known as the Dharma Chakra Center and serves as the seat of His Holiness Gyawla Karmapa the XVI, the head of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is the replica of the original monastery in Tsurpu in Tibet. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and displays the best of Tibetan architecture. The monastery houses some of the rarest Buddhist art pieces and is also a world-renowned centre for Kargyu teachings. The massive prayer hall inside the monastery is decorated with splendid murals, statues and ancient thangkas (Buddhist paintings on fabric). One can also observe the beautiful paintings of Kargyu lineage and the eight Bodhisattvas.

The main structure of the building was made in accordance with the traditional designs of Tibetan monasteries. Interiors are covered with murals, frescoes and paintings. There is a shrine hall in the main building with a 10-feet-high statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The monastery is enshrined with four other statues, those of Virupaksha, Virudaka, Dritarashtra and Vaishravana, considered to be the guardians of the universe. It is believed that when the 9th Karmapa threw the holy rice after performing a ritual, four rice grains were scattered in Sikkim and one of the grains fell on the spot where the old Rumtek monastery stands today, which is a 15-minute walk down the slope from the Dharma Chakra Center.

 

HOW TO

REACH


By Bus

The SNT bus leaves Gangtok at 4 pm and returns on the next day at 8 am. A half an hour walk from the stop, one reaches the monastery. Private cabs can also be hired.

By Train

The nearest rail head is New Jalpaiguri, 120 km away.

By Air

The nearest airport is Bagdogra, 126 km away. Cabs and buses ply regularly from here to Rumtek.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

OTHER ATTRACTIONS


Phensang Monastery

Phensang Monastery


Phensang Sangag Choling monastery is amongst the largest monasteries in Sikkim. First constructed in 1721 during the reign of Jigme Pawo

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Sangacholing Monastery


Sangacholing is located opposite to the Pemayangtse monastery and is exceedingly acclaimed among the followers of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

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Sangacholing Monastery
Do-Drul Chorten Stupa

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa


This chorten is regarded as one of the most important chortens of Sikkim. The stupa is marked by a golden top dome which is visible from various places in Gangtok.

Read More

Phensang Monastery

Phensang Monastery


Phensang Sangag Choling monastery is amongst the largest monasteries in Sikkim. First constructed in 1721 during the reign of Jigme Pawo

Read More

Sangacholing Monastery

Sangacholing Monastery


Sangacholing is located opposite to the Pemayangtse monastery and is exceedingly acclaimed among the followers of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Read More

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa


This chorten is regarded as one of the most important chortens of Sikkim. The stupa is marked by a golden top dome which is visible from various places in Gangtok.

Read More