Rumtek Monastery is located in the state of Sikkim, about 24 kilometers of the capital city of Gangtok.

It is home to His Holiness Gyawla Karmapa the XVI, the head of Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. When 16th Karmapa came in Sikkim, Rumtek monastery, then the Dharma Chakra center, was in the ruins. The Karmapa had the monastery rebuilt and the task was achieved four years later, in 1966. It is said that the Rumtek Gompa is almost a reproduction of the original office of the Kagyu headquarters in Tibet.

Perched on a hill at 5,800 ft, it the gompa is made up of a main shrine-temple, the monastery, a retreat center, a monastic school (Shedra), hostel for nuns, stupas, protectors shrines and other establishments for the community, with a number of other religious bodies.

Each year, a festival of dance is held here, the 28th day and the 29th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar.

Fast Facts

Location

Approximately 24 km from Gangtok, Sikkim.

Founded By: Gyawla Karmapa the XVI (the present monastery).
Festivals: Annual dance festival.