The amazingly beautiful land and the calmness in the atmosphere attract nature-loving tourists again and again to the land of Sikkim. The peace of mind you will get amidst the pure nature is so overwhelming that you want to visit again and again to shed away the tensions and rat race of the city life. The small Himalayan state of Sikkim is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The strong presence of the Buddhism culture can be felt everywhere in Sikkim and so the numerous old and new beautifully build Buddhist Monasteries. Most of these enchanting Monasteries are located on the hilltop of the Himalayan mountain range, providing it a pure and peaceful surrounding. You will get the overwhelming experience while visiting these monasteries in Sikkim. Here, in this piece of information, you will get acquainted with the 5 most beautiful and serene Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim.
Rumtek Monastery:
One of the most important monasteries of the Buddhism religious faith in Asia, the Rumtek monastery is located at Gangtok, just around 25 km from the main city of Gangtok. Also considered as one of the largest monasteries in India, the beautifully built Rumtek Monastery is known for its elegant Tibetan architecture. The most popular Buddhism destination in India, the Rumtek Monastery was built in the year 1960 as the seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage. Also known as the Dharmachakra Center since the 12th Karmapa reached here after leaving the Tibet seat, the Rumtek monastery is the hub of the Buddhism religious activities.
Dubdi Monastery:
The Dubdi monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. Built in the year 1701 AD, the Dubdi monastery is located at a walking distance of around 3 km from the town of Yuksam in the West Sikkim. The monastery is located on a beautiful hilltop at an elevation of 6900 meters with the enchanting surroundings. Known as the seat of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery holds an important place in the Tibetan Buddhism with having the statues of three lamas. The way that leads to the monastery is an enchanting view in its own with the dense alpine woodland.
Lachung Monastery:
Situated near the Indo Tibetan border in the village of Lachung, the Lachung monastery is known for its quaint beauty and belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was built in the year 1880 at an elevation of around 3000 meters at the convergence of the Lachung River and the Lachen River, two tributaries of Teesta River in North Sikkim. The monastery is located at a distance of 118 km from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The monastery is famous for hosting a traditional mask dance performance every year.
Pemayangtse Monastery:
Located at an elevation of around 2085 meters on a picturesque hilltop in the small beautiful town of Pelling, the Pemayangtse Monastery is considered one of the important religious destinations of Buddhism faith and very popular among the tourists visiting Sikkim. The monastery offers an amazing panoramic view overlooking the entire valley and the beauty of the white snow-covered peak of the Kanchenjunga Mountain. The monastery was built around 300 years ago and known for its rich architecture with the ancient manuscript scribed on the pillars and the beautiful interior woodwork along with the peaceful and pristine surroundings.
Ralang Monastery:
The newly built Ralang monastery is the biggest monastery in Sikkim that designed by the astounding Tibetan architecture. Built in the year 1995, the new Ralang monastery is located around 6 km from the small town of Ravangla in South Sikkim. The monastery is the perfect combination of vibrant colors and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. The enchanting view of the surroundings enhances the beauty of the Ralang monastery and makes it one of the most popular monasteries in the Sikkim. The old Ralang monastery was located around 13 km from Ravangla and was built after the blessing ceremony of the fourth Chogyal when he returned from the pilgrimage. The Ralang monastery belongs to the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Ralang Monastery is known for having an extensive collection of beautiful and rare paintings and thangkas. Also, the monastery hosts a popular festival every year known as Pang Lhabsol in which Kagyed Dance is performed by the Buddhist monks.
