Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim

About Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery is the largest and most significant monasteries in Sikkim. It is roosted on top of a hill from Gangtok which is 23km away. Rumtek Monastery was founded by Wangchuk Dorje, 9th Karmapa Lama in the 16th century. The Monastery was established to spread the teachings of Buddha throughout the world.

It is originally called the Dharma Chakra Centre. The Monastery includes a beautiful shrine and the monks. The Buddhism College, Karma Sri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies is situated opposite to the monastery.

Architecture:

Rumtek was the first monastery built in India with all the traditional architectural designs and became the model for various other monasteries built later throughout India. The beautiful monastery has a golden stupa and many sculptures which belong to the 16th Karmapa. This monastery gained its importance after the joining of Tibet in China because many religious guru relocated to Sikkim from Tibet.

It is a 3 storey building of many religious art objects and some of the world’s most unique religious scriptures. The main structure of the building is made in agreement with traditional designs of Tibetan Monasteries. Interiors are covered with murals, frescos, traditional Tibetan architecture, sculptures, and paintings. There is a temple hall in the main building which is decorated in a traditional manner with a religious text, Thangkas, silk banners, including a 10-foot statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The monastery is embodied with 4 statues – Virupaksha, Virudaka, Dhritarashtra and Vaishravana, who were considered as the protectors of the universe. About 2km away from Dharma Chakra Centre is rebuilt 300years old Rumtek Monastery which was originally built by the 4^th Chogyal.

Rumtek Monastery Sikkim Timings:

6:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Time Required:

1-2Hours.

Rumtek Monastery Entry Fee:

Rs 10/-.

Photography:

Allowed.

Rumtek Monastery Festivals:

Vajrakilaya Drupchen- Celebrated on the 5^th month of Lunar Calendar and is celebrated for 10days.
Lama Dance- It’s the traditional and holy dance performed on the last day of Vajrakilaya Drupchen.

Dress Code:

No Strick Dress code.

Address:

Tsurphu Labrang Pal Karmae Sangha Dhuche, Dharma Chakra Centre, Sikkim 737135.