Tashiding Monastery
Tashiding Gonpa
A Nyingma sacred monastery on a heart-shaped hill between two rivers, famous for its annual Bumchu holy water prophecy festival.
Tashiding Monastery was built in 1641 on top of a heart-shaped hill between the Rangit and Rathong rivers. Sikkimese regard it as one of the most sacred monasteries, and tradition holds that Padmasambhava blessed the site. Many stupas and mani stones carved with scriptures surround it. Each year on the 14th and 15th days of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, the Bumchu festival is held. Monks open a sacred vase, and the amount of holy water in it is read as a prediction of good or bad fortune for the coming year, drawing large crowds of devotees. It is about an hour's drive from Pelling, followed by a 20-minute walk uphill.
Opening hours
About 07:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Rabdentse Ruins
- Pemayangtse Monastery
- Kanchenjunga Falls
- Rinchenpong
- Sanga Choeling Monastery
- Chenrezig Statue & Pelling Skywalk
- Dubdi Monastery
- Kathok Lake