Monasteries · Ravangla
Ralang, the old gompa and the new monastery
A short drive from Ravangla, Ralang has two monasteries a little apart: an eighteenth-century gompa and the large Kagyu Ralang Palchen Choeling from the 1990s. Go in the morning for prayers, painted halls and a courtyard that comes alive with masked dances at festival time.
Ralang lies about 13 km from Ravangla, a 30–40 minute drive down a winding road through farmland and forest. The big monastery, Ralang Palchen Choeling, belongs to the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and was built in the 1990s. Its main hall is large and richly painted, with tall images and rows of seats for the monks, and a wide courtyard in front. Many young monks study here, so mornings and late afternoons bring prayer sessions with horns, drums and chanting.
The older Ralang gompa, a little distance from the new monastery, dates from the eighteenth century and is much smaller and quieter. The contrast is the point of the visit: one building shows how monasteries in Sikkim looked for centuries, the other how Tibetan Buddhist communities rebuilt and expanded after the 1950s. Ask a monk or your driver which building is open, and remove shoes, cover shoulders and ask before taking photos inside any prayer hall.
Ralang is known for masked cham dances at certain festivals, including around Pang Lhabsol and in the winter months; exact dates follow the Tibetan calendar and change each year, so check current status before you travel. On ordinary days the visit takes one to two hours. A reserved car from Ravangla for the return trip costs roughly ₹1,200–1,800; you can combine it with the Borong side or with Kewzing on the way back.
Cost: Free · donation welcome; car about ₹1,200–1,800 return
Questions people ask
Good to know
How far is Ralang Monastery from Ravangla?
About 13 km, roughly 30–40 minutes by car on a narrow hill road. There is no reliable shared jeep for this short hop, so most visitors take a reserved car, which costs roughly ₹1,200–1,800 for the return trip with waiting time. Some fit walkers walk one way downhill and take a car back up.
Is there an entry fee at Ralang Monastery?
There is usually no fixed entry fee at Ralang's monasteries, and a small donation in the box is welcome. Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering prayer halls and ask before taking photographs inside. Hours depend on prayer and teaching schedules, so mornings are the most reliable time to find halls open.
When are the masked dances at Ralang?
Ralang holds cham, or masked dances, at certain festivals, including around Pang Lhabsol in August or September and in the winter months. Dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar and change each year, so check with the monastery, Sikkim Tourism or your Ravangla hotel before planning a trip around them, and book rooms early for festival days.
Also in Ravangla
More things to do
Culture and history · 1.5–2 hoursBuddha Park in the quiet first hourRavangla · Entry roughly ₹50–100 pp; check
Treks and walks · 8–9 hours returnDay trek to Maenam Hill above RavanglaRavangla · Guide ₹1,500–2,500 plus sanctuary fee
Culture and history · Overnight or half dayKewzing village homestay and Bon monasteryRavangla · Homestay ₹1,500–2,500 pp with meals