Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery

Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery, commonly known as Lingdum or Ranka Monastery, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Lingdum near Ranka, about 20 km from Gangtok in Sikkim. Completed in 2008 after construction began in 1999, it follows the Zurmang Kagyud lineage. Set amidst forested hills with views of the surrounding valley, it is noted for its traditional Tibetan architecture, large prayer hall, and serene monastic environment.

Visitors can expect a large Tibetan-style monastery complex set on a forested hillside overlooking the valley near Ranka. The site includes a main prayer hall with traditional murals, thangkas and statues, courtyards, and monks' quarters. The surroundings are quiet and scenic with forested slopes and mountain views. Visitors can walk through the outer complex, observe prayer ceremonies when in session, and enjoy photography of the architecture and landscape from designated areas.

Construction of the monastery began in 1999 under the guidance of Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche and was completed in 2008. It was established as a principal seat in India for the Zurmang Kagyud lineage, a branch of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism originating in Tibet. The monastery was consecrated and inaugurated in 2008 and has since served as a centre for monastic education and practice.

The monastery is an important religious centre for the Zurmang Kagyud tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It serves as a place of prayer, meditation, and monastic training, housing monks and hosting daily prayers and annual religious ceremonies. Its architecture, murals and iconography reflect Tibetan Buddhist cultural traditions preserved in Sikkim.