About Old Rumtek Monastery
Old Rumtek Monastery is the original 18th-century monastery at Rumtek, about 23 km from Gangtok in Sikkim. Built in the 1730s under the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje, it is the predecessor to the larger Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre nearby. The small, traditional complex is notable for its historic architecture, murals, and association with the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a small, historic hilltop monastery complex surrounded by forested hills overlooking the Ranipool valley. The site includes a traditional prayer hall with Buddhist murals, thangkas and statues, old monastic quarters and a quiet courtyard. The atmosphere is peaceful and less crowded than the new Rumtek Monastery located nearby. Visitors can explore the exterior, view religious art and architecture, and observe monastic life where permitted.
Key highlights
- 01
Original 18th-century monastery of the Karma Kagyu lineage
- 02
Traditional Tibetan architecture with murals and thangkas
- 03
Historic prayer hall with Buddhist statues and relics
- 04
Hilltop setting with views of surrounding valleys and forests
- 05
Quieter, more intimate alternative to the new Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre
History of Old Rumtek Monastery
The original Rumtek Monastery was founded in the 1730s by Wangchuk Dorje, the 9th Karmapa, with patronage from the Chogyal of Sikkim. It served as an important Karma Kagyu centre in Sikkim before falling into ruin. In the 1960s, the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje rebuilt the main seat nearby as the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, while the old structure was preserved as Old Rumtek Monastery.
Culture & Context
The monastery is significant to the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and is associated with the Karmapa lineage. It houses traditional Buddhist art, scriptures and ritual objects and remains a place of prayer, pilgrimage and study, reflecting Sikkim's Tibetan Buddhist heritage.
Route
| By air |
|---|