Location - Yuksom
Timings - Dawn - Dusk
Highlight - the oldest monastery of Sikkim
The oldest monastery of Sikkim, Dubdi Gompa is placed on the ridge above Yuksom area. It was originally a hermit’s cell that was formed by Lhabtsun Chenpo as his personal heavenly sanctuary. Now converted into a monastery, it is also known as Yuksom monastery. The Gompa was founded by Chogyar Namgyal in the year 1701 and is the perfect place for monks to practice meditation.
The hall of the monastery has photographs of Guru Padmasambhava, surrounded by those of Lhabtsun Chenpo, Chenrezig (the Lord of Compassion) and Chogyal Phuntsog Namgyal. Dubdi Gompa lies amid terraced-style gardens, behind 3 slightly ruined stupas.
From the primary health center of Yuksom, if you climb steep 40 steps, a clean path through lilies and then forest, takes you to the Dubdi Monastery, which belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This journey takes around three hours’ time.
Located at an altitude of 7000 feet, this monastery is a two-storied structure. Facing towards the south side, it is square in shape. The rooftop has bell-shaped gilded dome, called Gyaltshen. At the 2 side aisles of the monastery, one can witness a superb collection of manuscripts along with other religious texts. You can also visit the Samdruptse Monastery in Sikkim.
