Sikkim is a land of mountains, woodlands, glaciers, and beautiful valleys. The northeastern state attracts thousands of visitors every year. Some visit Sikkim for an adventure packed holiday, some to enjoy in the lap of nature, while others take on a spiritual journey. The state is an important landmark for various Buddhist monasteries.
One of the most revered Buddhist saints Guru Padmasambhava, also known as, Guru Rinpoche introduced Buddhism to this region. He is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism and left a strong impact on Sikkimese and their culture. Home to more than 200 monasteries, many pilgrims from all over the world visit Sikkim to learn about Buddhism.
Sikkim’s Buddhist circuit includes exploring monasteries in Yuksom, Namchi, Lachen, Gangtok etc. and learning different philosophers preached in Buddhism. To break it all down, here are the most commonly asked questions about Buddhist Circuit Tourism
What is Buddhist Circuit Tourism?
Buddhist Circuit Tourism involves visiting places where Lord Budhha himself visited. These sites include his place of birth, enlightenment (nirvana), first sermon, as well as parinirvana. It also includes sites that enlightens about his disciplined life and teachings.
How & Why Sikkim is a part of Buddhist Circuit?
As mentioned above, Guru Rinpoche blessed Sikkim and the surrounding areas as the “valley of rice” and disseminated knowledge about the life and teachings of Budhha. Many monasteries in Sikkim are learning shrines of Buddhism, more specifically Tibetan Buddhism. Sikkim’s Namchi has Samdruptse monastery which has a beautiful statue of Guru Padmasambhava. It is an important Buddhist site for both history lovers, spiritual seekers, and devotees. Rumtek Monastery is another pilgrimage site in Gangtok that is highly revered and often visited by both tourists and devotees.
Who should go on a Buddhist Circuit Tour in Sikkim?
Devotees of Buddha, history buffs, or anyone who wants to learn deeply about the disciplined life of Buddha himself or want to learn more about his teachings.
Buddhist Circuit in Sikkim: Important Monasteries to Visit
Table of Contents:
- Tashiding Monastery
- Samdruptse Monastery
- Pemayangtse Monastery
- Rumtek Monastery
- Enchey Monastery
- Phensang Monastery
1. Tashiding Monastery
Tashiding Monastery is among the holiest of places in all of Sikkim. It is an important point and the “Devoted Central Glory” in Sikkim’s Buddhist circuit. It stands majestically on the hilltop at a height of 1465 m. The Rangit and Rathong rivers flow on either side of the hill and the mesmerising background of snowy mountains enchants the visitors. Tashiding monastery was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava who reached here in the 8th century AD with his followers. He regarded this monastery as the heart and soul of all the sanctified places in Sikkim. This monastery is highly significant and sacrosanct for Jhang Ter lineage of the Nyingmapa Sect.
The most important holy stupa is also located at Tashiding Monastery. Visit this monastery during the Bhumchhu festival (the sacred holy water ceremony) which brings visitors from Bhutan and surrounding areas. This monastery also holds ‘manis’ (stone plates) bearing Buddhist mantras and 41 chortens, known as ‘Chortens of Enlightenment’. Devotees come here to do merit making and atone for their deeds.
Timings: 10 AM to 4 PM
2. Samdruptse Monastery
Travel 5 kilometres from Namchi and you will find a beautiful monastery on a hill top at an elevation of 2134 m (7000 ft). It actually sits on the Tendong hill overlooking Namchi district. From the hill, one also gets the views of eastern parts of Nepal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Mt Kangchenjunga. As soon as you arrive at the monastery, your eyes will greet the gigantic statue of Guru Padma Sambhava (Guru Rinpoche). This statue is 45 m tall and bears a golden silhouette that shines when sunlight falls on it. The inside of the monastery has photographs, artifacts, relics, and a prayer room for meditation and self-reflection. Samdruptse hill is also called the wish-fulfilling hill and offers a serene spiritual connection. Even if you go here as a tourist and not as a Buddhist devotee, there is still plenty to learn from here.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Entrance Fee: INR 30 per person.
3. Pemayangtse Monastery
Right near Gyalshing city, is another significant monastery of Sikkim’s Buddhist circuit — the Pemayangtse Monastery. This monastery belongs to the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism and its foundation was laid in 1705. Lama Lhatsun Chempo was the founder of Pemayangtse. The monastery was easily known as “Sangchhen Pemayangtse Gonpa” (Most Secret Lotus Summit- Monastery). It was only for monks who vowed to remain physically sound and pure celibates, called “Dra-tsang”. They had the honour of anointing and crowning the Chhogyals (Kings) during the time of the Monarchy rule.
The entrance of the monastery has an idol of Dorje Phagmo (Vajra Varahi). It was presented to Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal by Terton Terdag Lingpa of Tibet. Pemayangtse Monastery has halls and prayer rooms which hold idols, manuscripts, and religious paintings. This 300 years old monastery has been a crucial and revered monastery for many devotees and followers of Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery is surrounded by peace and tranquillity all around, ideal for contemplation and self-reflection.
4. Rumtek Monastery
On your Sikkim trip, the closest monastery located to Gangtok is Rumtek Monastery. Also referred as Dharma Chakra Centre, Rumtek is the largest monastery in Sikkim. This sacred Buddhist site on Sikkim’s Buddhist Circuit sits at an elevation of 5,500 feet above sea level. This is a four storied monastery with its top adorned with a golden sculpture called the ghanzira. Inside the monastery holds golden gyaltsen (victory banners), ancient thangkas, the paintings of the Kagyu lineage, greatest scholars of Buddhist India and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas adorn the walls. There are two main shrine rooms where prayer ceremonies take place from time to time.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
5. Enchey Monastery
Located in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, Enchey Monastery was established in 1840. The present structure of the monastery, however, was built between 1909 to 1910. This makes Enchey monastery over 150 years old. The monastery belongs to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. The name Enchey Monastery literally translates to ‘the solitary temple’. In this monastery, the three deities worshipped are The Buddha, Loketeswara and Guru Padmasambhava. Currently, this monastery is home for 90 monks who take care and oversee the religious ceremonies in the monastery. The annual cham (masked dance) is also a one celebration that you shouldn’t miss for the Tibetan Lunar new year.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Beyond nature, food, and adventure sports, Sikkim has a deeply spiritual side. Whether you are a devotee or a cultural enthusiast, Sikkim monasteries are the perfect places to learn about the state. Which monasteries in Sikkim will you like to cover on a Buddhist circuit tour?
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