Culture · Gangtok, Sikkim
Tibetology museum and the Do Drul Chorten
Spend a morning with Sikkim's best collection of Buddhist art at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, then walk five minutes uphill to the Do Drul Chorten, a white stupa ringed by 108 prayer wheels. Together they explain much of what you will see in monasteries across the state.
Photo: Drmarathe · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsThe Namgyal Institute of Tibetology stands in a garden in Deorali, south of the centre. The building follows traditional Sikkimese style, with painted windows and a sloping roof. Opened in 1958, it was founded to support research on the language and culture of Tibet and the Buddhist Himalaya, and it holds a large library of manuscripts and block prints.
The museum on the ground floor is small but rich: thangka scroll paintings, bronze statues, ritual masks, old coins and objects from Sikkim's monasteries, with labels in English. It is a good primer before Pemayangtse, Rumtek or the cham dances. Check opening days before you go, as it closes on Sundays and some public holidays.
A short walk up the road, the Do Drul Chorten was built in 1945 and is surrounded by 108 prayer wheels, turned clockwise by pilgrims walking around it. A smaller shrine nearby holds large statues of Guru Rinpoche. The cable car station is also at Deorali, so you can combine the visit with a ride across town.
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Questions
Before you book
What are the opening hours of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology?
It has generally opened on weekdays and Saturday from about 10 am to 4 pm, closing on Sunday and some holidays. Hours can change, so check current status before you travel.
Is the Tibetology museum worth visiting?
Yes, especially early in your trip. Its thangkas, statues and ritual objects explain the art and symbols you will see in Sikkim's monasteries, and it takes only an hour or two.
How do I walk around the Do Drul Chorten?
Walk clockwise around the stupa, keeping it on your right, and turn the prayer wheels with your right hand as you pass. Remove hats inside the shrine and keep your voice low.