The Rumtek monastery was founded during the
reign of the fourth Chogyal in 1740 in the East District. The monastery has a
four storey building and is a replica of the Tsurphu monastery of the Kham
region of Tibet. It demonstrates the best of Tibetan architecture. This biggest
monastery of Sikkim belongs to the Kargyupa sect of Buddhism. His Holiness the
Gyalwa Karmapa, the 16th incarnation of the Gyalwa Karmapa of Tibet came to
Rumtek an after the Chinese aggression over Tibet. He was accompanied with many
other monks. A large chunk of land in Rumtek village was gifted to him by the
then Chogyal to build a monastery and a centre for religious studies. Some of
the rarest Buddhist religious art objects are kept in the monastery. It is also
famous in the world as the centre for Kargyu teachings.
The monastery has a special prayer hall. It
is decorated with impressive murals and Thanka paintings. There are 1001
miniature golden images of Lord Buddha. The religious centre developed here is
known by the name of the Dharma Chakra Centre. A big residential-cum prayer
hall is another feature of the monastery. It also has a good library. There are
special rooms for the high ranking incarnate Lamas. A large number of devotees
and tourists throng the monastery throughout the year. Get Tour package to Sikkim in unbeatable price. A beautiful jewel
studded Chorten known as the Golden Stupa is installed in a small hall. The
ashes and remains of His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa are preserved here.The Karma Nalanda Institute of Buddhist
Studies having students from all over the world is situated behind the main
monastery. This elaborately decorated institute is quite impressive to look at.
