Old Ralang Monastery

Old Ralang Monastery is a historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Ralang village in Namchi District, South Sikkim. Built in 1768 under the patronage of the fourth Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal, it belongs to the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Known for its traditional Sikkimese architecture, ancient thangkas, murals and sacred relics, it remains an important religious centre near Ravangla and is distinguished from the nearby New Ralang Monastery built in 1995.

Visitors can expect a tranquil hilltop monastery complex with traditional Tibetan architecture, colourful murals, prayer halls, and courtyards surrounded by forested hills and views of the surrounding valleys. Inside, there are aged thangkas, statues and religious artefacts. The atmosphere is quiet and devotional, with monks performing daily prayers. Visitors can walk around the monastery grounds, observe architecture and artwork, and experience the contrast between the historic old structure and the larger new monastery nearby.

Old Ralang Monastery was constructed in 1768 during the reign of the fourth Chogyal of Sikkim, Gyurmed Namgyal. It is one of the oldest monasteries of the Kagyu (Karma Kagyu) lineage in Sikkim and was built after the return of the 9th Karmapa's relics. It preserves historic murals, thangkas and religious texts and served as the principal monastery of the area until the New Ralang Monastery was consecrated in 1995 by the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa.

The monastery is an important centre of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. It is a focal point for local Buddhist community worship, daily prayers and annual religious festivals such as Pang Lhabsol, featuring traditional cham mask dances. It reflects Sikkimese Buddhist art, architecture and monastic traditions.