Image Source: Wikimedia Commons Modified and released under Creative Common License CC BY-SA 3.0

Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok

Geographical Location: Rumtek Monastery, also known as Dharmachakra Centre, is located 24 kilometres from Gangtok, the capital of the state of Sikkim.

Historical Timeline: The foundation stone of the Rumtek Monastery was laid by the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa and Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal in 1962, and it was completed in 1966.

Visit time: The visiting time of the monastery is from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Deity: Shakyamuni Buddha

Nearby places (Landmark, sightseeing): Sikkim has many treats to offer to visitors and devotees alike. Tsomgo Lake is a two-hour drive from Gangtok on the Gangtok - Nathu La highway. It is about one kilometre long and 50 metres deep, and is encircled by lush green landscapes on all sides. Visitors can enjoy a yak ride around the lake. Do Drul Chorten is a popular stupa, or a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine, in Sikkim, which was built in 1945 by a Tibetan Buddhist named Trulshik Rinpoche. The stupa is ... More

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons Modified and released under Creative Common License CC BY-SA 3.0

Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok

Geographical Location: Rumtek Monastery, also known as Dharmachakra Centre, is located 24 kilometres from Gangtok, the capital of the state of Sikkim.

Historical Timeline: The foundation stone of the Rumtek Monastery was laid by the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa and Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal in 1962, and it was completed in 1966.

Visit time: The visiting time of the monastery is from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Deity: Shakyamuni Buddha

Nearby places (Landmark, sightseeing): Sikkim has many treats to offer to visitors and devotees alike. Tsomgo Lake is a two-hour drive from Gangtok on the Gangtok - Nathu La highway. It is about one kilometre long and 50 metres deep, and is encircled by lush green landscapes on all sides. Visitors can enjoy a yak ride around the lake. Do Drul Chorten is a popular stupa, or a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine, in Sikkim, which was built in 1945 by a Tibetan Buddhist named Trulshik Rinpoche. The stupa is surrounded by 108 prayer wheels, and on each wheel a Buddhist mantra has been imprinted. The 17th-century monastery, Tashiding Monastery, is at a height of 6,500 feet, and is located about 40 kilometres from Geyzing. On the way to Nathu La pass  which is at a height of 7,200 feet, there stands the Hanuman Tok temple which is managed by the Indian Army. Banjhakri falls is also a place worth visiting for its natural beauty and it is surrounded by lush green gardens. In 1958, Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology was established for promoting research in the Mahayana sect of Buddhism and Tibetan language and culture. Other places such as Phurchachu Hot Springs, Flower Exhibition Center, Tsuk La khang Monastery, Saramsa garden, Himalayan Zoological Park, Deer Park, Ganesh Tok, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and Mt Katao, can also be visited.

Accommodation: Hotel Kunga Delek has been established by Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre to offer visitors a comfortable place to stay and dine, equipped with all modern amenities. Besides this, there are a lot of private accommodations available here.

Accessibility route: The nearest airport is Bagdogra which is 126 km away from Rumtek Monastery. Gangtok Helipad is about 25 km from Rumtek. Taxis and private vehicles are available from both the airport and the helipad to reach the monastery. New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station, and it is 120 km from Rumtek Monastery via NH 10. One can also drive on this highway to reach the monastery.

Circuit: The Government of Sikkim state has created a Buddhist circuit. The great Buddhist saint, Guru Padmasambhava, had visited Sikkim in the 8th century and he had consecrated the area, meditating in its four corners to eliminate all negativity. He is believed to have hidden several secret teachings, which he predicted would be discovered by those blessed by spiritual powers. At present Sikkim has nearly 200 monasteries such as Pemayangste, Tashiding, Rumtek, Enchey, Phensang, Ralong, Phodang, Tolung, Labrang Palden Phuntsok Monastery, etc. All of these are divided into 4 major circuits known as the North District, South District, West District and the Gangtok Area circuits.

Monastery: Rumtek monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Sikkim which reflects the best Tibetan architecture. It is a repository of some of the most unique Buddhist religious objects in the world, apart from being a world-renowned centre of Kagyu teachings. It is the seat of the Kargyupa sect of Buddhism and an almost replica of the Kagyu headquarters in Tibet.

Philosophy: The philosophy at Rumtek monastery is based on Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is based on Mahayana Buddhism and the tantric Vajrayana Buddhism. It includes Tantric practices, such as deity yoga and the Six Dharmas of Naropa (Six Yogas of Naropa). Its main purpose is Buddhahood (it is the condition or rank “awakened one”) or rainbow body (it is a level of realization).