Phodong Monastery

Phodong Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Phodong village in Mangan District, North Sikkim, about 28 km north of Gangtok. Built in the early 18th century during the reign of Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal, it belongs to the Karma Kagyu lineage. Perched on a ridge above the valley, it is known for its ancient murals, thangkas and annual Cham dance festival, and currently houses around 260 monks.

Visitors can expect a hilltop monastery complex with traditional Tibetan architecture, colourful prayer halls, ancient wall murals, thangkas and statues. The monastery is set on a ridge with views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Visitors can explore the main prayer hall, observe monks in daily prayers, walk around the courtyard and experience a calm, spiritual atmosphere. The site is active with resident monks and is less crowded than monasteries closer to Gangtok.

Phodong Monastery was originally built in the early 18th century, around 1740, during the reign of Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal. It was rebuilt and enlarged in the early 20th century by Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal. It is one of the six most important monasteries in Sikkim and is affiliated with the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

The monastery is an important centre of the Karma Kagyu school in Sikkim and houses a community of about 260 monks. It is known for its religious art, murals and thangkas, and for its annual Cham masked dance performed by monks, which attracts devotees and visitors. It serves as a centre for Buddhist teachings, rituals and festivals in North Sikkim.