North East Monastries

Sikkim and Darjeeling area having more then 200 monasteries or Gompas belonging to the Nyingma and Kagyu order have not only been influencing the cultural heritage and lifestyle of the people, but also demonstrates the ancient rituals in practice.

PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY

Pemayangtse Monastery is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing (140 kms. from Gangtok) and commands an impressive view of Mount khanchendzonga. This monastery belongs to the Nyingma order and all other Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it.

RUMTEK MONASTERY

Rumtek 24 Kms. from Gangtok, a drive through beautiful countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra centre built in 1960'S by his holiness the late 16th GYALWA KARMAPA when he took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese attack. It houses some of the worlds most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons.

ENCHEY MONASTERY

This monastery is situated in Gangtok on a hill top. It was built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal.

TASHIDING MONASTERY

his is another important monastery belonging to the Nyingmapa order and is about 40 Kms. from Gyalshing by road via Legship (West Sikkim). It lies nestled on the top of a hill that looms up between the Rathong river and the Rangit river and is surrounded by a profusion of Prayer flags that flutter in the air

DUBDI MONASTERY

Dubdi means 'the retreat' and this monastery was built in 1700. It is located near Yuksum on a hill top. One has to travel by foot to reach it.

SINON MONASTERY

Sinon means 'the suppressor of intense fear'. The monastery was built in 1716 and is located about 10 kms. from Tashiding on a hill top.

GHOOM MONASTERY

More correctly known as Yogachoeling Gompa, this is probably the most famous monastery in Darjeeling, just below Hill Cart road and the train station near Ghoom. It enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha. Foreigners are allowed to enter the shrine and take photographs. As Ghoom is frequently swathed in mists, and the monastery is old and dark, it is often affectionately called Gloom monastery.

No visit to Darjeeling is complete without a visit to Ghoom, which is six kilometres away from the main town. Ghoom is at an altitude of about 2,407 metres, and offers a spectacular view of the Valley.

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Toy Train & Tea Gardens
Although one can reach Darjeeling after-hour drive up a steep and winding road from Siliguri, the most exciting and nostalgic form of transportation is the Toy Train. This ' marvel of engineering' was inaugurated in 1881 and is the world's highest track railway. The miniature steam train huffs, puffs and toots as it wrestles its way up a vertical track of blind curves and loops in nine hours.

Tea gardens blanket the lower slopes. To the world's tea fanciers, Darjeeling is a name synonymous with prized perfection. There are now 84 gardens of which Happy Valley and Lopchu are instantly recognizable to the connoisseur for their special fragrance. As the train nears Kurseong, the mid-point of the journey, it parallels the road, which is lined with tiny shop-houses, and tea stalls. Most, leach-infested forests of Oak, Ilex and Magnolia trees, dripping moss and brilliantly hued Orchids, encroach at every turn.