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Rumtek Monastery
GangtokSikkim’s Largest Monastery
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Overview
Rumtek is a peaceful retreat located 23 km from Gangtok, home to the renowned Rumtek Monastery, the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa. The region boasts stunning natural beauty, including lush green hills, misty mountains, and scenic paddy fields.
Suggested Duration - 2-3 Hours
What To Expect?
Immerse yourself in a tranquil environment set amidst picturesque landscapes. Explore the beautiful Tibetan architecture, along with Buddhist art at the renowned centre for Kargyu teachings.
Tips
- Complement your visit with a trip to the Nehru Botanical Garden, located just 2 minutes from the monastery
- Visit between July and November to experience the best views of the paddy fields.
- Adventure seekers should explore rafting or trekking tours.
About Rumtek Monastery Overview: A Sacred Seat of Tibetan Buddhism in India
The largest monastery of Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok, is also known as the Dharma Chakra Center or the place of spiritual accomplishment and erudition. Located close to Tibet and high in the lower Himalayas, it is a sacred Buddhist site and a seat of the Karmapa. The place is also popularly visited by art enthusiasts who love to explore historic Buddhist art and architecture. You can take photographs of this place, which is known for its unique Tibetan style of construction.
| Rumtek Monastery is famous for | A unique Tibetan architecture, a long history of Tibetan Buddhism, enchanting views of the mountains, deep spiritual significance, religious art, seat of the Karmapa |
|---|---|
| Rumtek Monastery Timings | 6.00 am to 6.00 pm |
| Rumtek Monastery Best Time to Visit | March to June and October to December |
| Rumtek Monastery Ticket Price | No Rumtek Monastery entry fee is applicable |
| Required Time | 1 to 2 hours |
Popular Nearby Places
- Tsomgo Lake
- Nathu La Pass
- Enchey Monastery
- Hanuman Tok
- Do-Drul Chorten
- Ganesh Tok
Important Things to Know About Rumtek Monastery
- a. It is known as the Karmapa’s seat of Tibetan Buddhism’s Karma Kagyu lineage and is an important spiritual destination for Buddhists globally.
- b. Some of the rarest arts belonging to Buddhist history are protected and preserved in this monastery.
- c. The monastery is also a renowned destination for Kagyu teachings for Buddhists, and you can see students practicing Buddhist chants here anytime you visit during the day.
- d. With a structure spanning four storeys, this monastery is a unique example of Tibetan Buddhism and looks exactly like the Tsurphu in Tibet.
- e. When reaching the monastery, you will pass through abundantly green terraced paddy fields which create a picturesque landscape.
- f. It is also called the Dharma Chakra Center and is known for spiritual erudition and accomplishments.
- g. It has a unique golden stupa that carries the 16th Karmapa’s relics.
- h. The advantage of Rumtek Monastery height also gives it a picturesque view in the backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
How to Reach Rumtek Monastery
Reaching Rumtek Monastery is easy via roadways, airways or railways. The nearest airport from where you can take a cab or shared taxi up to here is Bagdogra Airport while the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Both these destinations are outside the city and need a cab to reach. Roadway connectivity to the monastery is the easiest, with accessibility from different cities.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Rumtek Monastery
How to choose a destination to travel to?
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