Pelling, Yuksom & South Sikkim · monastery town

Tashiding

The heart-shaped hill of the sacred Bumchu vase

Altitude1,465m Nights0–1 BestFeb – Apr · Oct – Nov

Photo: walter callens · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

In brief

Tashiding is a small market village in West Sikkim, below a hilltop monastery founded in 1641 between the Rathong Chu and Rangeet rivers. Pilgrims come for the Thongwa Rangdol chorten and the Bumchu festival in February or March. It sits about 19 km from Yuksom, so most people see it on the way to or from there.

The local story

A monastery older than the kingdom

Tashiding Monastery was founded in 1641, a year before the first Chogyal was crowned at Yuksom, by Ngadak Sempa Chempo, one of the three Tibetan lamas who would crown him. The name is usually translated as 'the devoted central glory'. The site is a steep, heart-shaped hill rising between two rivers, the Rathong Chu and the Rangeet. In 1717, during the reign of the third Chogyal, Chakdor Namgyal, the monastery was enlarged, and it grew into one of the most revered sites in Sikkim.

Its holiest object is not a building but a chorten. Thongwa Rangdol, among the many white chortens on the hilltop, is said to wash away the sins of anyone who simply looks at it, and its name is often read as 'saviour by mere sight'. Around the chortens lie long rows of mani stones, slabs carved with prayers such as Om Mani Padme Hum, added over generations by pilgrims and carvers. Walking among them clockwise, turning prayer wheels, is the heart of a visit.

Once a year, on the 14th and 15th days of the first Tibetan month, usually in February or March, Tashiding holds Bumchu. Monks open a sacred vase of water, kept sealed through the year, and read the level of the water as a forecast: full means plenty, low means scarcity, and murky is taken as a sign of trouble ahead. Pilgrims come from across Sikkim and from Nepal and Bhutan, and many carry a little of the blessed water home for family members who could not make the journey.

Tashiding Monastery was founded in 1641, a year before the first Chogyal's coronation at Yuksom, by Ngadak Sempa Chempo, one of the three lamas who crowned him.

The Thongwa Rangdol chorten at Tashiding is said to wash away the sins of anyone who simply looks at it; its name is read as 'saviour by mere sight'.

At Bumchu, on the 14th–15th day of the first Tibetan month, monks open a sacred vase and read the year ahead from its water level.

About Tashiding

Tashiding village is a short row of shops, eateries and houses on the road between Legship and Yuksom, at about 1,450 m. The monastery stands on the hill above, reached by a road and then a steep path with steps, prayer flags and chortens. From the top you look down on two river valleys and across to the ridges of Pelling and Ravangla. It is about 19 km and an hour from Yuksom, and roughly 40 km and 1.5–2 hours from Pelling.

Most visitors give Tashiding two or three hours on the way to or from Yuksom, and that is enough for the monastery and chortens. Stay a night if you come for Bumchu, or if you want an unhurried evening walk among the mani stones after the day visitors leave. Outside the festival the village is quiet and cheap, with simple lodges and homestays and good local food. Indians need no permit; foreign nationals need the Sikkim Restricted Area Permit.

What to see and do

The hilltop monastery

Founded in 1641 and enlarged in 1717, Tashiding Monastery sits on a heart-shaped hill between the Rathong Chu and the Rangeet. The climb from the road takes 20–30 minutes on steps lined with prayer flags, and the view over both valleys is the reward.

Thongwa Rangdol chorten

Among the white chortens on the hilltop, Thongwa Rangdol is the one pilgrims seek out, believed to cleanse sins by sight alone. Walk around it clockwise as local people do, and spend a few minutes watching pilgrims of all ages make their rounds.

Fields of mani stones

Long rows of slabs carved with prayers line the hilltop, laid down over generations. Some are old and mossy, others freshly cut. Do not move or sit on them. Walking slowly past them, clockwise, is one of the quietest experiences in West Sikkim.

Bumchu festival

On the 14th–15th day of the first Tibetan month, usually February or March, monks open the sacred vase and read the year's fortune from its water. Thousands of pilgrims come from Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan. Book rooms early and check dates before you travel.

Cardamom country around the village

The warm, damp slopes around Tashiding grow large cardamom under shade trees, and Sikkim is India's largest producer of it. From late summer into autumn you may see pods being harvested and smoke-dried in village kilns. Ask before walking into a farm.

How to get there

Shared jeep from Jorethang: Jeeps for Yuksom from Jorethang pass through Legship and Tashiding, roughly ₹150–250 a seat to Tashiding and 2.5–3 hours. From Siliguri, take a jeep to Jorethang first (₹250–350). Most departures are before noon, so start early. Fares are indicative; check at the stand.
From Yuksom or Pelling: Tashiding is about 19 km and an hour south of Yuksom, and shared jeeps between Yuksom and Jorethang stop here. From Pelling it is about 40 km via Legship, 1.5–2 hours; a reserved car makes it an easy day trip along with Khecheopalri or Yuksom.
Reserved car: A small car from NJP or Bagdogra takes about 5.5–6.5 hours for roughly 145 km via Melli, Jorethang and Legship and costs about ₹5,500–7,000. The Teesta valley road has had long closures since the October 2023 flood, so check current status before you travel.

Where to stay

Tashiding has a few simple lodges and family homestays in and around the village, priced for pilgrims and trekkers at about ₹1,500–2,500 per person with dinner and breakfast. Rooms are basic but clean in most places, with hot water by bucket in cold months. During Bumchu every room fills with pilgrims, so book weeks ahead or stay in Yuksom or Pelling and come in early on the main day. At other times you can usually find a bed by asking in the village, but book ahead if you arrive late in the day.

Local tips

Climb to the monastery early in the morning or after 3 pm, when the stone steps are cooler and the hilltop is quieter.
Walk clockwise around chortens and mani stone walls, and never sit or step on the carved stones.
For Bumchu, check the exact dates on the Tibetan calendar, book rooms early and expect long queues for the blessing.
Carry cash from Jorethang, Gyalshing or Pelling; small-village ATMs are not reliable.
Combine Tashiding with Yuksom: shared jeeps between them are cheap, and the two together tell the whole founding story of Sikkim.

02,7005,400

Altitude1,465 m

Hill-station height: cool evenings, a sweater most of the year.

What it costs here

Shared jeep Jorethang–Tashiding₹150–250 a seat (indicative)

Shared jeep Tashiding–Yuksom₹60–100 a seat (indicative)

Reserved car Yuksom–Tashiding, one way₹1,500–2,000 (indicative)

Village homestay with dinner and breakfast₹1,500–2,500 pp

Thali · momos in the village₹150–250 · ₹80–150

Monastery entryFree · donation welcome

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Feb – May · Oct – Nov
Nights we suggest: 0–1 (1–2 for Bumchu)
From Siliguri: ≈ 145 km · 5.5–6.5 h
Altitude: about 1,450 m
Known for: 1641 monastery, Thongwa Rangdol, Bumchu
Network: Jio and Airtel in the village; weaker on the hill

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Tashiding

Monasteries · 2–2.5 hoursClimb to Tashiding Monastery on its hillTashiding · Free · donation welcome

Culture and history · 1 hourThongwa Rangdol and the mani stone koraTashiding · Free

Culture and history · 1–2 daysBumchu night with the pilgrimsTashiding · Free · rooms ₹1,500–3,000 pp, book early

Food · 2 hoursCardamom farms and lanes below the monasteryTashiding · Free · ₹1,500–2,500 for a local guide (…

On the map

Tashiding and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Trips that stop here

Go to Tashiding on a ticket

Value West & South Sikkim7 nights · Mixed Sacred lakes and monasteries of West Sikkim Pelling · Khecheopalri · Yuksom · Tashiding ₹24,000per person
about ₹3,000 a day

Close by

Nearby places

village1,780 m Yuksomयुक्सम Sikkim's first capital and the trailhead for Goecha La

lake1,700 m Khecheopalri The wishing lake where no leaf is left on the water

hill station2,150 m Pellingपेलिङ Kanchenjunga at dawn above the monasteries of old Sikkim

town2,100 m Ravangla A 130 ft Buddha, old gompas and a ridge town between two hills

Festivals

Bumchu at Tashiding

Ways to travel

Monasteries Festivals Solo and backpacking Off-season and monsoon

Questions people ask

Questions about Tashiding

How do we reach Tashiding?

From Siliguri, take a shared jeep to Jorethang (₹250–350), then a Yuksom-bound jeep via Legship, roughly ₹150–250 to Tashiding. From Yuksom it is about 19 km and an hour by shared jeep or car; from Pelling, about 40 km and 1.5–2 hours. A reserved car from NJP costs about ₹5,500–7,000. Fares are indicative.

What is the Bumchu festival?

Bumchu, meaning 'sacred vase', is Tashiding's yearly festival on the 14th and 15th days of the first Tibetan month, usually February or March. Monks open a sealed vase of holy water and read the coming year from its level, then share the water as a blessing. Thousands of pilgrims attend from Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan.

How much time do we need at Tashiding?

Two to three hours is enough for the climb, the monastery, the chortens and mani stones on a normal day. Most people visit on the way to or from Yuksom. Stay a night if you want a slow evening kora after the day visitors leave, and one or two nights if you come for Bumchu.

Is Tashiding Monastery a difficult climb?

It is short but steep. After the road ends, a path with stone steps takes most people 20–30 minutes to the top. Go slowly, rest at the bends and carry water. Seniors can usually manage it with care. The steps can be slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip.

What is special about Thongwa Rangdol?

Thongwa Rangdol is a chorten on Tashiding hill that pilgrims believe cleanses sins simply by being seen; its name is often read as 'saviour by mere sight'. It stands among other white chortens and long rows of carved mani stones. Walk around them clockwise, as local pilgrims do.

What is the best time to visit Tashiding?

February to May and October to November are best. Bumchu in February or March brings crowds and colour; spring and autumn bring clear, comfortable days for the climb. December and January are cold but quiet. June to September is wet, with leeches and landslide risks on the roads.

Where can we stay in Tashiding?

There are a few simple lodges and family homestays in and around the village, costing roughly ₹1,500–2,500 per person with dinner and breakfast. They are basic but friendly. During Bumchu they fill with pilgrims, so book early or stay in Yuksom or Pelling. At other times you can usually find a room by asking locally.

Do we need a permit to visit Tashiding?

Indian citizens need no permit for Tashiding. Foreign nationals need the Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, available online or at entry points such as Rangpo and Melli, which covers this part of West Sikkim. Carry passport and visa copies. Rules change, so check current status before you travel.

Can we combine Tashiding with Yuksom and Pelling?

Yes, easily. A common loop is Pelling for two nights, Yuksom for one or two, and Tashiding on the way back down to Jorethang. Shared jeeps link Yuksom and Tashiding cheaply, and a reserved car can do Pelling, Khecheopalri, Yuksom and Tashiding over two relaxed days.