spiritual · Lachen, North Sikkim
Lachen Monastery and the valley view
Lachen Monastery, also known as Ngodrub Choling, was built in 1858 and follows the Nyingma tradition, like most old gompas of North Sikkim. It sits on the slope above the main village and serves as its religious centre, with a monastic school attached where young monks study.
The monastery has a direct link to the lake you will visit at dawn. After a long dispute over a structure built on the shore of Gurudongmar by an army unit, a state committee found that the lake was a Buddhist sacred site, and the building was handed over to Lachen Monastery on 6 July 2001. The monastery placed a lama there as caretaker.
The walk up takes 20–30 minutes from the bazaar, slow and steady. That is the point: climbing a little and sleeping lower helps your body adjust. Go in the afternoon, walk clockwise, ask before taking photos inside and sit for a while on the steps looking down the Lachen valley.
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When was Lachen Monastery built
Lachen Monastery, or Ngodrub Choling Gonpa, was built in 1858. It belongs to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and houses a monastic school. It is the main monastery of the Lachen community and also looks after the Buddhist shrine on the shore of Gurudongmar Lake.
Is the walk to Lachen Monastery hard
It is short but uphill, about 20–30 minutes from the main street at a gentle pace. At 2,750 m you will feel your breath, so go slowly, stop often and drink water. It is a good acclimatisation walk the afternoon before Gurudongmar. A car can drop seniors closer if needed.
Can I take photos inside Lachen Monastery
Usually not inside the prayer hall without permission. Ask a monk or caretaker first, and accept a no politely. Photos of the exterior and the valley are fine. Remove your shoes before entering, dress modestly and walk around the monastery and prayer wheels clockwise.
