Visiting Monasteries in the Northeast

cjlphoto · Feb 10th, 2008, 11:43

I’ll be traveling in the NE for the month of March, starting my time in Varanasi/Bodh Gaya. I’d like to spend the majority of my time in the Sikkim/Darjeeling/Kalimpong/Gangtok area.

I’d love to hear some recommendations for monasteries and ashrams in that area that offer lodging or with cheap lodging close by. I’ve heard Rumtek fits the description. I’m interested in contemplative atmospheres and older architecture.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Clint

dzibead · Feb 10th, 2008, 12:19

When you say "cheap lodging", what kind of range are you talking about?

Also, Rumtek might be busier than you're looking for, and the buildings are not old - they were built by the 16th Karmapa.

cjlphoto · Feb 11th, 2008, 03:26

Cheap for me means anything between Rs 100 and 500/ night.

dzibead · Feb 11th, 2008, 09:56

You might check out Phodang Gompa, which is about 40 km north of Gangtok. It's smaller and more out of the way than Rumtek, although I don't think the buildings at Phodang are particularly old, either.

As far as I know, the monastery isn't set up for visitors to stay there (I'm not sure any of them in Sikkim are, and I'm not aware of any "ashrams", as such), but there are a couple of guesthouses/hotels in the nearby village that I think are in your price range: Northway Lodge and Yak & Yeti Lodge. I haven't stayed in either so I can't give a first hand report.

Labrang Gompa is also not far from Phodang.

rangers · Feb 11th, 2008, 10:19

Clint..go beyond Darjeeling and Kalimpong to LAVA and KAFER to the tops of those villages.I am doing it again this march too.
Om namah sibaya.

Feb 10th, 2008, 11:43	#1
cjlphoto cjlphoto Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: washington Posts: 2	Visiting Monasteries in the Northeast I’ll be traveling in the NE for the month of March, starting my time in Varanasi/Bodh Gaya. I’d like to spend the majority of my time in the Sikkim/Darjeeling/Kalimpong/Gangtok area. I’d love to hear some recommendations for monasteries and ashrams in that area that offer lodging or with cheap lodging close by. I’ve heard Rumtek fits the description. I’m interested in contemplative atmospheres and older architecture. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Clint

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Feb 10th, 2008, 12:19	#2
dzibead Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,915	When you say "cheap lodging", what kind of range are you talking about? Also, Rumtek might be busier than you're looking for, and the buildings are not old - they were built by the 16th Karmapa.

Feb 11th, 2008, 03:26	#3
cjlphoto cjlphoto Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: washington Posts: 2	Cheap for me means anything between Rs 100 and 500/ night.

Feb 11th, 2008, 09:56	#4
dzibead Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,915	You might check out Phodang Gompa, which is about 40 km north of Gangtok. It's smaller and more out of the way than Rumtek, although I don't think the buildings at Phodang are particularly old, either. As far as I know, the monastery isn't set up for visitors to stay there (I'm not sure any of them in Sikkim are, and I'm not aware of any "ashrams", as such), but there are a couple of guesthouses/hotels in the nearby village that I think are in your price range: Northway Lodge and Yak & Yeti Lodge. I haven't stayed in either so I can't give a first hand report. Labrang Gompa is also not far from Phodang.

Feb 11th, 2008, 10:19	#5
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	Clint..go beyond Darjeeling and Kalimpong to LAVA and KAFER to the tops of those villages.I am doing it again this march too. Om namah sibaya.

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