Overview
Rumtek Monastery stands on a hill about 24 km from Gangtok in Sikkim. The present monastery was built in the 1960s by the 16th Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, after he fled Tibet, on the site of an older monastery.
The main temple has richly painted walls, thangka paintings and a large golden shrine, and monks gather daily for prayer, chanting and horns. It is one of the most important Karma Kagyu centres.
What to look for
- The main prayer hall with its murals and thangkas
- Monks at prayer with horns and chanting
- The golden stupa nearby
- The mountain views from the courtyard
Visiting tips
- Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering the temple.
- Respect any rules on photography inside the main hall.
- Go in the morning to hear the monks at prayer.
Why visit with a private guide
A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Rumtek Monastery, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.
More photographs
Nearby
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Tell me your dates and interests
I will personally prepare an itinerary and quotation within 24 hours. No groups, no fixed scripts.