The monasteries of Sikkim are places of religious discourses, worship, meditation and are the store-house of many hand written religious books and manuscripts preaching morals.  Monasteries constitute the part and parcel of Sikkimese cultural heritage. Dubdi is the oldest monastery of Sikkim, where Lhatsun Chempo lived and meditated. Sanga Choling Monastery was also built during the same time. Later on came Tashiding and Pemayangtse monastery. The Pemayangtse; monastery is the premier one and the foundation of it was associated with the Royal family. The monks were drawn from the elite Bhutias. The Tashiding monastery was built where Guru Padmasambhava shot an arrow and there is hardly any place to match its loveliness in the whole of Sikkim. It was considered to be the pilgrimage place for Tibetans of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Every Sikkimese wishes to die and be cremated at Tashiding. It is a strong belief of the people that Guru Padma Sambhava would one day appear there and bless people.

Rumtek, TshuklaKhang, Rinchinpong, Tholung, Enchey, Lingtam, Gangtok and Namchi are other renowned monasteries. The Palace Monastery Tsuklakhang is located in the grounds of the palace of the former rulers consisting of interesting murals and images of Buddhist Pantheon. Most of the monasteries of Sikkim belong to the Ningmapa Sect of Buddhism.

In general, the monasteries are called Gompa, which means a solitary place. Isolation was seen as an aide to meditation, so monasteries were built at remote locations. Tradition maintains that a monastery should look out towards the east to catch the first rays of the rising sun. The building should lie along the long axis of hill and it is desirable to have a lake in front. Following these prescriptions the sites occupied by monasteries in Sikkim are usually commanding and picturesque. The monastic buildings cluster round the temple which is used as an assembly hall. The outer detached buildings provide dormitories for the monks. Lining the approach to the monastery are the tall prayer flags and chortens. The temple is referred to as Lhakhang or God’s house. It is also called Dukhang—a meeting place and Tsuglakhang—an academy. A monastery in Sikkim combines all these functions of chapel and school.

The Lhakhang, is the most sacred area of the Gompa. Here the main image of the deity as well as the attendants images are enshrined. The Lhakhang walls are decorated with murals and thankas painting. All Gompas have libraries stocked with xylographs of the Kangyur and Tengyur. These two sacred books are carried out in processions on special festivals. Gompa interiors are breathtaking with their store of thankas, mandalas, innumerable images of Buddha, musical instruments, masks, vajras, bells and beads, and butter sculptures. Cast images in bronze are commonly found in the niches of the Lhakhang and Dukhang. These are crafted with great precision, each element of these images has a tale to tell, a tale understood by every layman in the Buddhist universe. The Buddha, The Bodhisatvas and the Taras are the most popular and most venerated subjects of these images.

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