RUMTEK MONASTERY
Originally Built In: 1717
Rebuilt in: 1960's
Historical Significance: The Main Seat Of The Karma Kagyu Lineage.
A
24-km drive from Gangtok, through the
beautiful, bewitching countryside leads one to Rumtek. Rumtek, is the seat
of the Karmapa Lama who heads the Kagyupa Sect of Buddhism. Tankhas (also
spelt as Thangkas) and frescoes decorate the walls of this ancient
monastery, now renovated. His holiness Gyalwa Karmapa was the 16th
reincarnate. The style of the monastery, strictly traditional has been
patterned on the lines of the Lamas series of Tibet.
About The Monastery
The first monastery was built in 1717 but crumbled to ruins due to aging.
The present monastery was constructed by his holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa
in 1960s.
The monastery is certainly the largest in Sikkim
sprawling over a huge area. It includes a school built on modern lines to
impart teachings in Tibetan and various aspects of Buddhism. An aviary
containing the most exotic birds also exists in the monastery complex.
Some distance above the monastery is a hermitage in which monks go into
complete seclusion for meditation for period's upto 3 years.
Celebrations
The main offerings / dances of Rumtek also called the "Tse-Chu
Chaams" are held on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan
calendar around June. The 'Kagyat' dances are held on the 28th and 29th
day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
The
Nehru Botanical Garden
At walking distance from Rumtek monastery this garden contains exotic
variety of flora and is a good picnic spot. A panoramic view of Gangtok
from here is awe-inspiring. There is a regular bus service to Rumtek;
taxis and sightseeing tours are also available from tourist office,
Gangtok.
HOW TO GET THERE
Road: The one-day city tours run by the tourist office in Gangtok include an hour in Rumtek, which is not nearly long enough. There's also one SNT bus from Gangtok each day, which leaves in the evening and returns the next morning. Shared jeeps also leave Gangtok from Lall Bazaar everyday.
PLACES TO STAY
There are a few hotels to choose from in Rumtek. The
monastery's own Hotel Kunga Delek opposite the entrance to the courtyard,
has small clean rooms with attached bathroom, there are good views and
basic food is available. There is also a guesthouse situated outside the
monastery coutyard.
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