Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery, situated 24 km from Gangtok on a scenic hillock, is the Dharma Chakra Center and the seat of His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa XVII, leader of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. This impressive monastery is a faithful replica of the original Tsurpu Monastery in Tibet, featuring a four-storey main structure fortified by monks’ quarters. The drive to Rumtek passes terraced paddy fields and offers breathtaking views of Gangtok and the surrounding hills.

The monastery’s entrance is adorned with vibrant murals of the four guardian deities representing the directions. Inside, visitors find exquisite thankas and silk banners hanging from a red pillar, along with intricate paintings illustrating the Kagyu lineage and the Eight Bodhisattvas. The centerpiece is a majestic ten-foot statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by Sariputra and Mangalputra.

Just a 15-minute downhill walk lies the old Rumtek Monastery, dedicated to the 9th Gyalwa Karmapa. It houses the statue of the 9th Karmapa and beautiful wall paintings depicting key figures of the Kagyu lineage. According to legend, one of the four holy grains of rice scattered during a ritual by the 9th Karmapa landed on this very site, marking its spiritual significance.

Rumtek Monastery remains a vital center for prayer, meditation, scripture study, and preserving centuries-old Buddhist traditions, welcoming visitors seeking spiritual insight and cultural enrichment.