Rumtek Monastery

Weather :

Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Buddhist Temple

Timings : 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Founder : Wangchuk Dorje, 9th Karmapa Lama

Entry Fee : INR 10

Sect : Karma Kagyu

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Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok Overview

The Rumtek Monastery is one of the largest and most significant monasteries in Sikkim, perched on top of a hill 23 km from Gangtok. Originally called as the Dharma Chakra Centre, it belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists who originated in Tibet in the 12th century. Verdant green mountains surround the monastery and thus serves as a visual treat besides being a focal point for spiritual solace.

Besides this, the architecture of the striking monastery is one of the finest in the world. The glorious Rumtek Monastery houses a beautiful shrine temple and a monastery for the monks which were established with the aim of spreading the 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).

The splendid Rumtek Monastery has preserved a golden stupa and various other sculptures which belonged to the 16th Karmapa. Traditionally, it is also believed that the Golden Stupa was constructed with the motive of removing the obstacles of the reincarnation of His Highness The Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.

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 uniques 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 thangkhas.

Must Know Before You Visit Rumtek Monastery

Tips : 1. The walkway up to the Rumtek Monastery is where the taxis drop you off, you'll need to walk from there. The area is lined with stalls selling gifts and souvenirs, tea and snacks. 
2. Outside the main entrance, just a few steps below, there is a pay-and-use toilet for both male and female. 
3. It is advisable to travel with a guide.
4. It is customary to leave a donation at a monastery and to circle shrines in the clockwise direction.
5. Don't disturb wildlife or its habitat here.
6. Don't smoke, drink alcohol or talk loudly at the monasteries.

Rumtek Monastery Highlights

1. The Golden Stupa

The Golden Stupa
Behind the wall of Rumtek Monastery is a pathway that leads to the beautiful Golden Stupa. It is a beautiful shrine that contains the holy remains and relics of His Highness The Sixteenth Gyalwa Karma (Read More)pa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. The stunning stupa is thirteen feet high and a fitting monument to the Great Guru of The Kagyu Lineage. It is ornamented in ancient Turquoise and Coral and is decorated with art of fine metalwork. Filigree, which is a combination of jewellery arranged in artistic motifs is also merged with the metalwork to give it an aesthetic view. 

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