Rumtek Monastery in Gangtok, Sikkim

RUMTEK MONASTERY

Gangtok, Sikkim, India

God

Rumtek monastery is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim and belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists which originated in the 12th century in Tibet.

Interesting Facts

The main dances of Rumtek known as Tse-Chu Chaams are held in the Old Rumtek Monastery on 10th day of the 5th month of Buddhist calendar.
Kagyat dances are also held here on 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of Buddhist Calendar which usually falls in December.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Summer season. The best months to visit are May to July and September to October.

Weather

Highest - April to June (21°C during day and 19°C during night)Average - May (24°C during the day and 20°C during night)Lowest - December to February (14°C during day and 8°C during night)Monsoon season - August to October

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
The weather is cold throughout the year. Rainfalls and snowfalls often occur there. one should wear proper winter clothes with mufflers and gloves. An umbrella is also a must to carry.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
SNT Bus Station	25.3 KM	03592-202228
Siliguri Junction	115 KM	139
Pakyong Airport	30 KM	09733098638

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Siliguri Junction	115 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Pakyong Airport	30 KM	09733098638

Architecture

The architecture of the monastery is one of the finest in the world and resembles the original one in Tsurphu, Tibet. The main building of the Rumtek monastery is three-storeyed. It houses some of the rarest Buddhist religious artwork in the world in the form of wall murals & thankas (scrolls with intricate hand paintings), 1001 miniature golden models of Buddha. The ground floor of the main monastery building has a large prayer hall. The hall has large hand-painted and intricate wall murals, thankas, silk paintings, and statues. The top floor has a terrace and a small stupa. There is a large courtyard in front of the main monastery building. The courtyard has few other buildings surrounding it where the monks live.

Just outside and at the backside a stairway leads to the Nalanda Institute of Higher Buddhist Studies. You will find a huge painting of Lord Buddha here. And just in front of the institute building, there is a lawn from where you get a lovely view of Gangtok township in opposite hill. Monastery also houses other precious items like the Black Hat (known as the Vajra Mukut) which is studded with gold, diamond, ruby, and many other precious stones. It was presented to the 5th Karmapa in the 15th century by the then emperor of China. No wonder you will find so many sentries at Rumtek Monastery right from its entrance and all over. One can observe the images of Lord Ganesha and Dalai Lama at the entrance of this monastery.

Religious Significance

Gyalwa Karmapa came from Tibet and settled here when the Chinese invaded Tibet. However, the 16th Karmapa passed away in 1981. Since his death, the search began for the 17th Karmapa. After about 10 years, a boy named Ugen Thinley from Tibet was identified by Dalai Lama as the next reincarnation of Karmapa. Ugen Thinley is currently living in Dharamshala.

The legend says that after the first Karmapa ended his long years of meditation in a cave, he was greeted by 1000 fairies each one of who gave him a strand of hair. All those hairs were woven into a hat. It is said that the same hat is now in the custody of Rumtek Monastery. But the hat has to be kept in a box or held by hand, otherwise, it would fly off.

History

Originally built under the direction of Wangchuk Dorje, 9th Karmapa Lama in the mid-18th century, Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. It was built by Gyalwa Karmapa in the1960s, who was the 16th Karmapa of the monastery. Karmapa is the head of a monastery. The Old Rumtek Monastery was originally built in 1730 by the 5th Karmapa which is located downhill from the main building. It however got completely burnt by fire and had to be rebuilt.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757