Yumbulakhang

Enchay Monastery

An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchay Monastery meaning the Solitary temple, was originally built with the solace that no other construction would be allowed near it is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying powers. This 200-year-old Monastery has in it premises images of god, goddesses and other religious objects. The present monastery was built in the shape of a Chinese Pagoda. Following the Nyingma order, it has around 90 monks.

Drodul Chorten

Drodul Chorten Dotapu Chorten, Gangtok was built under the supervision of the late most Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche after due preparations of 1945-46, in accordance with the prophecy made in 1944 by His Holiness the Dud-Zom Rinpoche. Placed inside the Chorten are a complete mandala set of Dorji Phurpa (Bajra Kilaya), one set of Ka-gyur holy Books, relics, complete 'Zung" (mantras) and other religious objects. The Chorten is considered to the one of the most important chorten of Sikkim . Around the chorten 108 Mani Lhokor (Prayer Wheels) are installed.

Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery is approximately 24 kms away from Gangtok. It was originally built in 1730 by the 9 th Karmapa but was later destroyed by fire. The present monastery was constructed by Him Holiness, late Gyalwa Karmapa in the 1960's. The style of the monastery is strictly traditional and the patterned on the lines of the lamaseries of Tibet . His Holinesses Gyalwa Karmapa stayed in the Monastery until the completion of the Dharma Chakra Centre which is 20 minutes uphill walk from the monastery.

The annual dances also called the Tse-Chu Chaams are held on the 10 th day of 5 th month of the Tibetan calendar around June. Dances called the Kagyat are also held here on the 28 th and 29 th day of the 10 th month of the Lunar Year.

The monastery is famous for its 'Chaams" (mask dance) - the ritual lama dances as well as the stylized 'opera' performed by the lay people who live around the monastery. The important ' Chaams) of Rumtek are those performed two days prior to the Tibetan New Year and that performed on the 10 th day of the fifth mo nth of the Tibetan calendar. This 'Chaam' know as Tse Chu 'Chaam' basically presents the eight manifestation of Padmasambhava.

Padmasambhava (the lotus- born) was the Indian sage who was responsible for consolidation Buddhism in Tibet . He is also revered by the Sikkimese as Guru Rimpoche and during his travels he is suppose to have visited Sikkim . The dances in Rumtek celebrate the various episodes of his life and his battle against the forces of evil. The winner 'Chaams" performed just prior to the Losar present the battle between good and evil and the ritualised destruction of evil.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

The foundation was laid in 1957 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and was inaugurated by Pandit Jawarlal in October 1958. Since its establishment NIT has sponsored and promoted research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibet and a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art. It has published the Bulletin of Tibetology since 1964 and numerous books over the years. It also contains rate collection of antique like coins, statues, rosaries, antic documents, brass bells, dorjis and thangkas. It has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse subjects like astrology, philosophy, magic and religion. It also has relics of the monks from the time of Ashoka, example of Lepcha script, masks and ceremonial and sacred objects, such as the kapali, a bowl made from a humane skull, and varku, a flute made from at high bone, The institute also sells a number of religious books on Tibetan Buddhism. Today it is a renowned, world wide centre for study of Buddhist Philosophy and region.

The site on which the institute was established was donated by the late Chogyal (king) of Sikkim Sir Tashi Namgyal in memory of his departed son Paljor Namgyal. The foundation stone of the institute was laid by the 14 th Dalai Lama on the 10 th of February 1957 and the institute was declared open by the late Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the 1 st of October 1958 . The building of the institute is an imposing monument and a splendid example of Sikkimese architecture.

The institute is open from 10.00AM to 4.00Pm , Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday, second Saturdays and on Government holidays.

Government Institute of Cottage Industry .

This institute is located at zero point, few km uphill from the main Gangtok town. It was established, in 1957 with the purpose of promoting the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts, carpets and furniture. An emporium at the institute sells handicrafts; thangkas (scrolls with paintings) hand carved foldable wooden tables known as 'Choktsees' and exquisitely woven woollen carpets, mask and dolls. Hand made paper is another unique novelty of the Institute and is made from the bark of a tree Algeri. The paper is used extensively for invitation cards and letter-pads. We also visit the Orchid sanctuary which has a variety of Orchids as well as other species of plants. There are almost 600 species of Orchids in Sikkim . They come in a wide variety of colours and sizes. The most popular orchids of Sikkim are cymbidiums, vandal cattaleya, hookeriana, farmeri and dendrobium amoneum. The variety Nobile Orchid or Dendrobium nobile has been declared as the State flower of Sikkim .

Dodrul Chorten .

The Dodrul Chorten is one of the largest stupas in Sikkim and a very sacred icon to the Buddhists. The Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche built it in 1945 to ward off foreign invasion.

Tsongu Lake

It literally means the ' Source of the lake "in bhutia language. Just about 40 kms way from Gangtok, the capital of the State. This serene lake is situated at an altitude of 3,780 mtr. The lake is about 1km long, oval in shape, 15 mtr deep and is considered sacred by the local people. This placid take remains frozen during the winter months upto mid-May. Between May and August, it is possible to see a variety of flowers in bloom, including the rhdodendrons, various species of primulas, blue and yellow poppies, iris, etc. It is also an ideal habitat of the Red Panda and various species of birds. Open for both the foreign and Indian nationals. Foreign visitors have to be in a group of 2 or more and have to apply for the visitors permit through a registered Travel agency.

Pemagyantse Monastery (the perfect sublime lotus).

Situated at an altitude of 2085 meters, Pemagyantse presents a panoramic view of the high Himalayas . Legend has it that the great tantric saint, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, searching for a place to meditate, shot an arrow in the air. The place where the arrow landed is where pemagyantse monastery stands.

' The Sublime Perfect Lotus, ' was originally built as a small temple at the end of the 17 th century. Later , during the region of the third Choygal, it was extended and rebuilt into a monastery in early 18 th century. It is the second oldest Monastery in sikkim and is head of all others belonging to the Nyingma-pa sect. The main hall has an area of 1500sq.ft. The Monastery houses religious idols and priceless antiques. On the top floor there is a wooden sculpture portraying Mahaguru's heavenly Palace, Sanfthokpalri. The main festival is on the 28 th and 29 th days of the twelfth month of the Tibetan calendar. Which normally falls in February. Pamayangtse also affords one of the most gloriously breath-taking views of the mountains of West Sikkim .

Tashi View Point

Tashi View Point is situated along the North Sikkim Highway and is only 8 kilometers from Gangtok. From this point, you get a breathtaking view of Mt. Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu , one of the most graceful peaks in the world.