The Rumtek Monastery or Gompa is one of Sikkim’s largest Tibetan monasteries in Sikkim. Dedicated to the Kagyu sect of Buddhists, which originated in the 12th century in Tibet, Rumtek Monastery is a must-visit place near Gangtok (20 km). It was created in the image of the original monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet, and displays magnificent architecture. The best part is that accommodation facilities are provided here for travelers to stay in solace.
History of Rumtek Monastery
In the 1960s, Rumtek Monastery was built by Gyalwa Karmapa, the 16th Karmapa of the monastery. Karmapa is the head of the institution who came from Tibet and settled here when the Chinese invaded Tibet. In 1981, Karmapa moved to his heavenly abode, and since, there has been a search for the 17th Karmapa.
Best Time to Visit Rumtek Monastery
As Rumtek Monastery is located close to Gangtok city, the weather is quite similar. The summers and autumn months are pleasant, so March to June and October to December are considered the best times to visit Rumtek Monastery. However, avoid monsoon as the heavy rains can hinder your experience, making sightseeing difficult.
What to see in Monastery
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The three-storeyed Rumtek Gompa is full of intricate treasures housing some of the world’s rarest Buddhist religious artwork like murals, thangkas (scrolls with intricate hand paintings), 1001 miniature golden models of Buddha, etc. Besides, the monastery is a world-renowned center for Kagyu teachings.
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Legend says the first Karmapa ended his long years of meditation in a cave. One thousand fairies greeted him, each of whom gave him a strand of hair; all those hairs were woven into a hat kept here for visitors.
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The ground floor of the main building has a large prayer hall with huge hand-painted, intricate murals, thangkas, silk paintings, and statues.
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The 16th Karmapa inhabited the first floor, while the top floor has a terrace offering amazing views of the surroundings and a small stupa. The courtyard of the Gompa has a few other buildings surrounding it where the monks live.
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The Gompa complex also houses the Nalanda Institute of Higher Buddhist Studies. You will find a huge painting of Lord Buddha here.
Admission & Timings
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The admission fee is INR 10 per person.
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Rumtek Monastery is open from 6 am to 6 pm.
How To Reach Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery is near Gangtok. So, you can hire a taxi from the city to the monastery. If you are traveling from another city, take a flight to Bagdogra Airport, hire a taxi, and reach Gangtok. New Jalpaiguri is the closest railway station, connected to major Indian cities. Tourism of India provides private vehicles from the airport/railway station directly to Rumtek Monastery.
Tips For Visiting Monastery
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Always ask for permission before clicking pictures.
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Wear appropriate clothes to show respect. Anything above the knees is deemed disrespectful.
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Women should avoid any physical contact with the monks.
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Smoking is not allowed.
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Do not step or stand on the door’s threshold as it symbolizes the Buddha’s shoulders.
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Switch your mobile phone to silent before entering the monastery.
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Remove hat, sunglasses before stepping in.
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Maintain the sanctity of the monastery.
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If you want to refer to Buddha, use the palm instead of the finger.
