Tsuklakhang Royal Chapel

Tsuklakhang Royal Chapel is the former royal chapel and monastery located within the Tsuklakhang Palace complex in Gangtok, Sikkim. Built in the early 20th century under Chogyal Thutob Namgyal, it served as the private prayer hall for the Sikkimese royal family. Notable for its traditional Sikkimese-Tibetan architecture, richly painted interiors, Buddhist murals, scriptures and altar, it remains an important Nyingma Buddhist site and venue for royal coronations and festivals.

Visitors can expect a small, ornate royal chapel set within the walled Tsuklakhang Palace compound in central Gangtok. The exterior shows traditional Tibetan-Sikkimese architecture with woodwork and sloping roofs, while the interior features a central altar with images of the Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava and Chenrezig, elaborate wall murals, thangkas, frescoes and a collection of Buddhist scriptures. Access is restricted and requires permission as it lies inside the royal residence; viewing is typically limited to the exterior and, when permitted, the prayer hall during festivals.

Tsuklakhang Royal Chapel was established as the royal chapel for the Namgyal dynasty of Sikkim. Construction was initiated under Chogyal Thutob Namgyal in 1898 and completed in 1909 during the reign of Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal, within the new Tsuklakhang Palace built between 1909 and 1914. It served as the private monastery and prayer hall for the royal family and as the venue for coronations, royal weddings and important state rituals.

The chapel belongs to the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism and is an important religious site for Sikkimese Buddhism. It houses sacred images, murals and a collection of Kangyur and other Buddhist scriptures. It remains the focal point for royal religious ceremonies and major Buddhist festivals such as Losar, Saga Dawa and Pang Lhabsol, reflecting the cultural heritage of the former Kingdom of Sikkim.