10 Hidden Monasteries in Sikkim You’ve Never Heard Of (But Must Visit)
Beyond Rumtek: Where Silence, Art, and Faith Converge in the Misty Himalayas
Sikkim, the jewel of India’s northeast, is often described as a living mandala. On this spiritual map, every ridge, prayer flag, and monastery tells a story. While the grandeur of Rumtek Monastery often draws the first gaze, it’s the hidden monasteries tucked away in quiet valleys and cloud-covered ridges that truly reveal the heart of Sikkim’s Buddhist heritage.
These monasteries are architectural masterpieces, where stone and wood echo the rhythm of centuries-old chants. Each one blends Tibetan artistry with Himalayan ecology, resulting in spaces that feel both divine and deeply human.
Here’s a journey through 10 lesser-known monasteries that redefine what sacred architecture means.
1. Tashiding Monastery – The Navel of Sikkim’s Spiritual World
Perched on a hill between the Rangit and Rathong rivers, Tashiding Monastery is believed to be the most sacred in Sikkim. Built in the 17th century, it’s said that just glimpsing this monastery purifies one’s soul. The white chortens (stupas), known as “Thongwa Rangdol,” shimmer in the mist, while the monastery’s carved wooden pillars and painted mandalas narrate tales of compassion and enlightenment.
Must See: Butter lamps flickering before murals of Guru Padmasambhava — the patron saint of Sikkim.
2. Enchey Monastery – The Monastery of the Solitary Sage
Located just above Gangtok, Enchey was established by Lama Druptob Karpo, who was known for his ability to fly. The monastery’s wooden interiors are adorned with vibrant murals depicting Mahakala and other protector deities, painted in vivid blues and reds that seem to dance in the candlelight.
Must See: The annual Chaam Dance Festival, where masked monks enact ancient tantric stories through rhythmic movement.
3. Phensang Monastery – Echoes of the Nyingma Order
One of the largest monasteries of the Nyingma tradition, Phensang, near Mangan, was founded in 1721. Despite being rebuilt after a devastating fire, it retains its timeless aura. The prayer hall’s intricate frescoes — painted with natural pigments — depict the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava in exquisite detail.
Must See: Early morning prayers, where the sound of conch shells meets the sunrise over Kanchenjunga.
4. Lingshed Monastery – The Hidden Jewel of North Sikkim
Far from the tourist trail, this small monastery near Dzongu is accessible only via a narrow mountain path. Its simplicity is its beauty — hand-painted thangkas, weather-worn murals, and monks who still make their own butter lamps.
Must See: The view — the monastery stands like a guardian above a sea of clouds, overlooking the Teesta valley.
5. Ralang Monastery – The Abode of Sacred Lineage
Built to commemorate the visit of the 9th Karmapa, Ralang is one of the most important monasteries for the Kagyu sect. Its sprawling courtyard hosts the Pang Lhabsol festival each year. Inside, wood carvings and sculpted cornices display the best of Tibetan craftsmanship, their detail rivalling European cathedrals.
Must See: The golden stupa containing relics of the Karmapa.
6. Pemayangtse Monastery – The Perfect Sublime Lotus
Though not completely hidden, Pemayangtse near Pelling is a masterpiece of spiritual architecture. Founded in 1705, it houses the Zangdok Palri — a three-dimensional wooden model of Guru Rinpoche’s celestial abode, carved entirely by hand by a single monk over five years.
Must See: The museum-like upper floor with antique scrolls, ritual masks, and ancient scriptures.
7. Dubdi Monastery – Sikkim’s First Monastic Heritage
Tucked in the quiet village of Yuksom, Dubdi is often overlooked — yet it’s the oldest monastery in Sikkim, built in 1701. Its stone walls and tapering wooden roofs echo early Himalayan design, long before ornate monastery art arrived.
Must See: The surrounding trail, filled with mossy steps and prayer stones — it feels like walking into history.
8. Bon Monastery, Kewzing – The Keeper of Ancient Faith
A rare window into the Bon religion — predating Buddhism — Kewzing’s Bon Monastery features unique iconography and mandalas that celebrate nature’s spirits. It stands as a symbol of Sikkim’s tolerance and diversity of belief.
Must See: The sacred drum rituals performed only during the full moon.
9. Rinchenpong Monastery – Monks, Myths, and the Poison Lake
A lesser-visited gem near West Sikkim, Rinchenpong overlooks the ethereal Kanchenjunga range. Legend says the nearby lake turned poisonous to repel invaders — a story immortalised in the monastery’s murals.
Must See: The ancient statue of Lord Buddha believed to grant calmness to anyone who sits before it.
10. Sang Monastery – The School of Silent Masters
Nestled in East Sikkim’s quiet hills, Sang Monastery is home to a small group of monks dedicated to preserving Buddhist manuscripts. The monastery’s blend of brick, timber, and rammed earth construction reflects a rare fusion of sustainability and spirituality.
Must See: Their hand-bound prayer books, still made using traditional inks and handmade paper.
Why These Monasteries Matter
Each of these monasteries is more than a structure — it is an ecosystem of faith, art, and ecology. Their murals and carvings reveal an ancient environmental consciousness; their chants and rituals mirror the harmony between humans and the Himalayas.
To visit them is to see how spirituality is not separate from architecture — it is architecture, sculpted by devotion and the mountain wind.
