Pray at
Things to do in Tashiding Monastery
The holiest hilltop monastery.
The list
The short version: The 17th-century monastery on a ridge between two rivers, home of the Bumchu festival.
01
The sacred chortens
Stupas pilgrims circle with butter lamps.
02
Bumchu
The sacred-water opening, once a year.
Know before you go
- Founded
- 17th century
- Festival
- Bumchu (lunar, Feb-Mar window)
- Setting
- Ridge between two rivers
Tashiding is considered the holiest monastery of Sikkim, founded in the 17th century on a ridge between the Rathong and Rangeet rivers. Its chortens, including the stupa said to cleanse sins on sight, and the Bumchu sacred-water festival draw pilgrims from across the Himalaya.
Best time: October-March; Bumchu dates follow the lunar calendar.
Practicals
Permits & season for Sikkim
No ILP, but protected areas (Nathula, North Sikkim beyond Mangan) need permits arranged through registered agencies ahead of travel.
March to May for rhododendrons and clear skies, October to December for the sharpest views; the monsoon closes high routes.
Tashiding Monastery month by month
Places to visit near Tashiding Monastery
All of Tashiding Monastery, none of the guesswork
Fixed departures you can join solo, or a private plan around your dates. Prices on the page, real people on WhatsApp.
Keep planning
- Sikkim travel guide
- Flying into Pakyong Airport, Sikkim: flights, cabs and onward connections
- Sikkim permits: the complete guide
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- Gangtok in October: Kanchenjunga views and festival weatherfrom the journal
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