Ralang Monastery

There is no other monastery in Sikkim that can compare to Ralang Monastery. There's no question that this is a place that every traveler seeking to explore Ravangla should see. For starters, the harmony and beauty of the abbey make people feel welcome. There are a lot of paintings and thangkas at Ralang Monastery that show how rich Buddhist art can be. This makes it one of the must-visit places in Ravangla.

Ralang Monastery Historical Significance

In 1768 AD, the 4th Chogyal of Sikkim built the old Ralang Monastery to honor his successful trip to Tibet. A story says that when the fourth Chogyal returned from his journey, Karmapa gave him the usual blessing called "Rabney." At the end of the rites, he threw some grains from Tibet's Tsurphu Monastery, the main home of the Karmapa. The grains hit the ground in Ralang. In this way, they founded the monastery, and people now see it as one of the most holy temples in Sikkim.

Three kilometers separate the old abbey from the new one. The only way to get to this temple is to hike since the road leading to it is really rough. The 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche therefore constructed a new school in town in 1995 that would make it more accessible for many. The new Ralong Monastery, also known as the "Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute," is among the largest temples in Sikkim today.

Architectural Marvel and Sacred Artifacts

The Ralang Monastery in Sikkim is an exquisitely built edifice demonstrating and exhibiting Tibetan style in its glory as well as its historical legacy in spirituality. This is places which one indeed calls a holy heritage site for the Buddhists.

It's a site most rich in stunning paintings, prayer wheels, sacred objects, and wonderful events that give you the entire zest of how the customs take place. Well, Ravangla tour packages offer you a well-planned view for a spiritual trip.

Festivals and Monastic Traditions 

Every year, the monastery holds the Pang Lhabsol holiday, where people worship Mount Kanchenjunga. The holiday begins on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Buddhist calendar, which falls in August or September. It ends on the 29th day of the 10th month of the Buddhist calendar, which is in December. There is also a Mahakala Dance at this monastery every November that is very well known.