Ralang Monastery (New Ralang), Ravangla: History and respectful visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Ralang Monastery (New Ralang)

The Ralang establishment dates to 1768, according to Wikipedia's infobox, with the earlier monastery rebuilt between 1975 and 1981. The new monastery, called Ralong Palchen Choling, was completed in 1995 under the 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, and keeps the Tibetan style of the older buildings.

The monastery follows the Kagyu school. Its festival calendar includes Pang Lhabsol and Chaam (cham) dances, though exact dates change each year with the lunar calendar.

Useful facts

Ralang Monastery (New Ralang) facts at a glance

Location

Ralang, below Ravangla, South Sikkim

Faith

Tibetan Buddhism, Kagyu school

Deity/dedication

Shakyamuni Buddha and Kagyu lineage

Visitor note

Shoes off in halls; ask before photographing inside

Built

New monastery completed 1995; older site dates to 1768

Why it matters

Why Ralang Monastery (New Ralang) is worth your time

Ralang belongs to the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, whose spiritual head, the Karmapa, has long had close ties with Sikkim. The monastery is one of the major Kagyu centres in the state and a working institute, not just a museum, with resident monks and a calendar of rituals.

The present monastery is relatively new, but it preserves traditional Tibetan architecture and a large collection of paintings and thangkas. Seeing it alongside the older monastery below shows how Sikkim's Buddhism has been rebuilt and continued over the past century. For travellers who have only seen Buddha Park, Ralang adds the living, ritual side of the same tradition.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   The main prayer hall

   A large seated Buddha and walls of paintings give the hall a rich, quiet feel, especially in the morning during chanting.

2. 02

   Thangka collection

   The monastery is known for its thangkas and murals, which are good to look at slowly with a guide or monk.

3. 03

   The courtyard

   Cham dances are staged in the courtyard on festival days, and its open space has long valley views.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Plan Ralang as a morning outing from Ravangla. Distances in guidebooks vary between roughly 6 and 13 kilometres, so ask your driver for the actual road time, and expect a slow, winding descent rather than a quick hop. Arrive in time for the morning chanting if possible; monks have been described as chanting together in the mornings and afternoons, but timings change, so ask on arrival.

The main hall holds a large seated Shakyamuni image, about 30 feet according to one guide, with walls covered in paintings and thangkas. The architecture is Tibetan in style, with a courtyard where masked cham dances are staged on festival days. Walk the courtyard and veranda slowly, and spend a few minutes quietly in the hall rather than treating it as a photo stop.

On the way back, stop at the Old Ralang Gompa, about 1.5 kilometres downhill, which is smaller and much quieter. Combined with Kewzing's Bon monastery, Ralang makes a satisfying monastery circuit for a day.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Ralang, on the hill road below Ravangla, South Sikkim

Time needed

1–1.5 hours, plus the drive

Best time

Morning, when monks chant; March–May and October–November for clear weather

Walking level

Moderate

Senior comfort

The drive is on winding hill roads, which some travellers find tiring. At the monastery there are steps up to the main hall and courtyards, but the climb is short and you can go at your own pace. Cold stone floors inside; carry socks.

Tickets and access

Monasteries in Sikkim generally have no fixed ticket, but a small donation is customary. Remove shoes before the main hall, dress modestly, and ask before photographing inside. Check with your driver or hotel for current visiting hours.

Plan it with

FAQs