Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok
The largest monastery in Sikkim, seat-in-exile of the Karmapa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Himalayan Buddhist monasteries
Sikkim — Heritage & Culture
Monuments, living temple traditions and festivals that shape Sikkim beyond its city sights.
Key monuments
Pemayangtse Monastery, Pelling
One of Sikkim's oldest and most important Nyingma monasteries, founded in 1705.
Rabdentse Ruins
The ruined second capital of the former Kingdom of Sikkim.
Festivals
Losoong
Sikkim's harvest festival and Sikkimese New Year, marked with Cham masked dances at monasteries.
Saga Dawa
Commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, with processions around Gangtok.
Culture
A blend of Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali traditions, organic farming (India's first fully organic state), and Tibetan Buddhist monastery life.