Monasteries · Rumtek
Lingdum Monastery on the Ranka road
Lingdum, also called Ranka or Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery, was completed in 1999 and sits about an hour's drive from Gangtok. Most taxis combine it with Rumtek in a half day. Its wide courtyard and painted halls are often full of young monks.
Lingdum is a young monastery by Sikkim's standards. It was completed in 1999 and follows the Zurmang Kagyu tradition, a branch of the Kagyu school whose home monastery is in eastern Tibet. It stands on a forested slope near Ranka, about an hour's drive from Gangtok, and most taxis bring visitors here on the way to or from Rumtek, since the two roads meet below.
What sets Lingdum apart is its space. A broad paved courtyard opens in front of the main hall, which is richly painted inside with murals and a large Buddha. Young monks study and play here, and in the afternoon you may hear the evening prayers begin. The setting is green and quiet, and on clear days the hills fall away towards the Ranipool valley.
Visiting follows the same rules as Rumtek: shoes and hats off before entering, quiet voices, clockwise circuits and no photography where the signs say so. A donation is welcome. Ask your taxi driver to wait at least an hour. Come in the afternoon if you can, when the light is soft and the monks gather for prayers, and the courtyard is calm after the morning visitors leave.
Cost: Free · donation welcome
Questions people ask
Good to know
How far is Lingdum Monastery from Gangtok?
Lingdum is about an hour's drive from Gangtok near Ranka. Most visitors take a half-day reserved taxi that covers both Lingdum and Rumtek for about ₹1,500–2,500, depending on season. Shared taxis to Ranka exist but are irregular, so a reserved car is far simpler.
When was Lingdum Monastery built?
Lingdum, also known as Ranka Monastery or Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery, was completed in 1999. It follows the Zurmang Kagyu tradition. Compared with Rumtek, it is younger, quieter and has a wider courtyard, and young monks are often studying or playing there in the afternoon.
Can we see Rumtek and Lingdum in one trip?
Yes. They are close to each other and most Gangtok taxis combine them in a half day of about four to five hours, including the drive and time at each. Start with Rumtek in the morning and stop at Lingdum on the way back for the afternoon prayers.
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