Rinchenpong Monastery

Rinchenpong Monastery stands at 1700 meters elevation above twin villages and features traditional architecture with colored prayer flags and spinning wheels. The complex includes multiple temple halls and residential sections arranged around courtyards, displaying characteristic design elements of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.

The monastery was established in 1730 by Ngadakpa Lama and ranks among the three oldest religious institutions in Sikkim. Its founding coincided with the expansion of Tibetan Buddhism throughout the Himalayan region during the 18th century.

The monastery houses an Ati Buddha statue in the Yab-Yum position, representing the union of masculine and feminine principles in Buddhist practice. Visitors can observe this sacred sculpture within the inner sanctuaries and notice how prayer flags and ritual objects fill the spaces around it.

Reaching the monastery requires hiking a mountain trail from Rinchenpong bazaar, with the journey from Siliguri taking around five hours by road. The best time to visit is during drier months when trails are more accessible and views of the surrounding hills are clearer.

The complex functions as a teaching center where young lamas actively study and practice ancient Buddhist texts and meditation. This role as a living school distinguishes it from many other historical monastic sites in the area.