Introduction

Rumtek Monastery is situated at an altitude of about 5800 feet (1547 meters) and is located in eastern Sikkim. 24 kilometers from Gangtok, the 300 year old monastery was mostly in ruins and surrounded by dense jungle growth till about half a century ago. In 1959, His Holiness the Sixteen Gyalwa Karmapa accepted the Chogyal's invitation to set up his seat in Sikkim. And he gathered resources to begin construction of new facilities to support his monastic seat surrounding the old monastery.

The foundation stone of the new monastic center was laid by the King of Sikkim. The General Secretary for the Sixteenth Karmapa, Dhamchoe Yongdu, led the project and the carried out the construction, after meeting Pandit Nehru for funds. The sacred items and relics that were shifted were soon installed. Thus the new Rumtek Dharma Chakra came up two kilometers away from this old monastery.

Rumtek had become the international Kagyu headquarters during the life of His Holiness, and later it also became the residence of a new generation of Kagyu masters, who are being trained in a tradition of study and meditation practice which began 800 years ago.

The monastery at Rumtek has an impressive architecture. Traditional murals and Tibetan paintings heighten the visual effect. There was an architectural award for Rumtek Monastery from the State of Sikkim for being an architectural wonder. It is symbolic of the traditional and spiritual aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. The main sanctum sanctorum, the residence of the monks and the important relics and scriptures, the nunnery, the stupas, the monastic college are all examples of a high degree of intellectualism and scholastic thinking that was implemented in the architecture.

What appeals the most are the paintings of the Kagyu lineage, the eight great Bodhisattvas, the sixteen Arhats, the Genduk Chogngi etc. Behind the Rumtek Monastery is the Karma Shri Nalanda Institute of higher Buddhist studies. This institute was founded to preserve and propagate the noble teachings of the Lord Buddha, particularly the Kagyu tradition of Buddhism.

Special Attributes

Seat of the Karma Kagyu school Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

None. Just dress in whatever you find comfortable but be discreet when you visit monasteries.

Connectivity

Buses leave Gangtok everyday for Rumtek at 4 pm and return the next morning. Shared jeeps are also an alternative to reach Rumtek Monastery.

Enjoyed by

History and architecture enthusiasts, and the spiritually inclined

Exposure

None, you'll be indoors for the most part

Avoidable Season

February, July, August

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No such restrictions

Tip

Check out the architecture and artworks

Type of site

A monastery