Coronation Throne of Norbugang

The Coronation Throne of Norbugang is a historic open-air site in Norbugang Park, Yuksom, West Sikkim, where the first Chogyal of Sikkim, Phuntsog Namgyal, was consecrated in 1642. The site features a stone throne shaded by a pine tree, a whitewashed chorten, prayer flags and footprints of lamas. Surrounded by forest and maintained as a protected heritage park, it marks the founding of the Namgyal dynasty and Sikkim's former capital.

Visitors can expect a quiet, forested heritage park with a stone coronation throne under a large pine tree, a white Norbugang Chorten containing relics and sacred objects, stone footprints attributed to consecrating lamas, prayer flags, and information boards. The site is open-air with paved footpaths, low stone walls and benches, set near Kathok Lake. It offers a short, peaceful walk focused on history, architecture and natural surroundings.

The site marks the coronation of Phuntsog Namgyal as the first Chogyal (Dharma King) of Sikkim in 1642 by three Tibetan lamas - Lhatsun Chempo, Sempa Chempo and Rigzing Chempo - at Yuksom, then the first capital of Sikkim. The stone throne and chorten commemorate the founding of the Namgyal dynasty which ruled Sikkim until 1975. The complex is protected as a heritage site and reflects the early political and Buddhist history of Sikkim.

Revered by Sikkimese Buddhists as a sacred coronation and consecration site, the throne and chorten are associated with the introduction of Buddhism as the state religion and the unification of Sikkim. The chorten, prayer flags and lama footprints are venerated, and the site remains an important cultural landmark for understanding Sikkimese identity and heritage.