Rumtek Monastery is situated in the state of Sikkim, India. It lies at a distance of approximately 24 km from the capital city of Gangtok. It serves as the seat of His holiness Gyawla Karmapa the XVI, the head of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. When the 16th Karmapa came to Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery, then Dharma Chakra Centre, was in ruins. He got the monastery rebuilt and it got completed after four years, in 1966. Rumtek Gompa of India is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet.Perched at a height of 5800 ft, it comprises of the main shrine-temple, the monastery, a retreat center, a monastic college (Shedra), a nun's hostel, some stupas, a protectors shrine and other establishments for the community, along with a number of other religious institutions. Every year, a dance festival is held here, on the 28th day and 29th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar.
How to reach Rumtek
By Air
Bagdogra airport, in West Bengal, is the nearest to Rumtek.
By Rail
One can either go to Siliguri railway station or the New Jalpaiguri (railway station).
By Road
Regular bus services are available from Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Calcutta.
