Lachen Monastery

4.6

Location: PH85+M39, Lachen, Sikkim 737120, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 2 hours.

Lachen Monastery, a Nyingma Buddhist monastery at Lachen, Sikkim, northern India, was founded in 1858. Lachen Monastic School is located there. Ngodrub Choling Gonpa is another name for Lachen Monastery.

Attraction

There are a few fascinating places to visit, including Thangu Village, which is about an hour’s drive from Lachen. Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake, both 2 to 3 hours away from Lachen, are other popular tourist destinations. Sarva Dharma Sthal, a temple for all religions located near Gurudongmar Lake, is also a must-see.

History

Lama Karchen Dorje was credited for the development of the Lachen Monastery in the year 1858 A.D. It is well known that the Lachen Monastery began as a tiny house and evolved into a structure. Originally, Lama Karchen Dorje was a follower of Jamyang Choki Rinzing, who was a disciple of Terdag Lingpa, a well-known Tibetan religious figure. Lama Karchen Dorje accomplished a lot for the Lachen Monastery, for example, he commissioned the Chenrezig, a clay figure with 1000 hands, which was completed during his three-year tenure at the Lachen Monastery before moving to Tibet.

Later, a noble Lama from Nepal known as the Gelong Gonpu visited Lachen Monastery and rebuilt the hut monastery into a new mud construction. All of this occurred during the Tibetan Earth Dog Year. Even stayed for three years at the monastery before returning to Nepal.

Inside/Outside Views

The Lachen Monastery is built in the Tibetan style, and the hut’s appearance remains a feature of the monastery to this day. The monastery has two levels and a gompa built on top of the two floors, which contributes to its attractiveness. The Lachen Monastery appears to be quite colorful and appealing. Even though the monastery has two stories, it is far taller than any other two-story construction. The reason for this is the architectural plan, which included raising the ceiling from the ground level to give the monastery a large and spectacular appearance. One of the most intriguing facts about the Lachen Monastery is that it has a flat stone with the imprint of one of Buddhism’s most favored nobles, the Late Kham Gomchen, who once resided at the Thangu Gonpa.

Opening Hours

The opening hour is 7 AM – 5 PM.

Entry & Others Fees

The entry fee is free.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By Air: Bagdogra is close to Lachen’s domestic airport, and it will take around 4 hours to get there.

By Road: Buses, taxis, and cabs are among the private transportation options available to get tourists to the Monastery.

By Rail: For the majority of travelers, Darjeeling train station will be a popular and economical option.

Tips for Travellers

While visiting the monastery, keep outdoor ethics in mind. Follow the marked pathways; just take photos and leave only footprints. Wear warm clothing and comfy shoes. Respect the habitats of birds and animals.