Rumtek Monastery

Sikkim is famous for its monasteries and one of the largest and most significant monasteries is Rumtek Monastery Sikkim is located on the top of a hill 23 km from Gangtok surrounded by lush, verdant green hills that serve as a visual treat besides being a main point for spiritual comfort. This monastery was originally called as the Dharma Chakra Centre, it belongs to the Kargyu Sect of Buddhists who originated in Tibet in the 12th Century. It is one of the oldest schools of Tibetan Buddhism which was constructed in the 1960s. This monastery is a faithful replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tsurphu, Tibet, and was built under the guidance of His Highness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje to remove obstacles in his life.

While entering the monastery visitors will witness the outstanding sight of the Golden Stupa, protecting the 16th Karmapa’s artefacts. The monastery’s vibrant prayer halls are decorated with beautiful designs, traditional thangka paintings, and sculptures that all show tales of divine peace and spiritual past. A very peaceful and quiet atmosphere is created by the monk's gentle chants that echo through the corridors.

Throughout the year, Old Rumtek Monastery comes alive with vibrant festivals, most importantly the annual Tse-Chu Chaam dance. This colourful festival showcases masked dances that symbolize the win of good over evil and attracts visitors with its rhythmic beauty and spiritual emotions.

The architecture of this eye-catching monastery is one of the finest architecture in the world. The outstanding Rumtek Monastery Gangtok has a beautiful temple and monastery for the monks which were established to spread Buddhist teachings around the world. The sublime structure has a walkway around it on which the monks, pilgrims and visitors perform Kora (a circuit round of the monastery).

It is one of the most sought-after places in Sikkim and is a visual treat for every pilgrim who comes to Sikkim. It also serves as the storehouse for many unique objects besides storing some of the world's unique religious scriptures. The massive prayer hall inside the stunning monastery is a place worth seeing that is decorated with splendid murals, statues and thangkas. Enjoy this in Gangtok Holiday Packages which is offered by Kiomoi.