About Lachung Monastery
Lachung Monastery (officially Lachung Gompa) is the primary Buddhist monastery of Lachung village in North Sikkim, perched on a hillside above the confluence of the Yumthang and Lachung rivers at 2,750m. Originally built in the 19th century and significantly renovated in the 20th, it is a Nyingma monastery serving the Bhutia community of the valley. The prayer hall is small but richly decorated with murals, thangkas and butter lamp offerings. The monastery is an active daily practice centre — monks and village women attend morning prayers year-round regardless of the tourist season.
Why go to Lachung Monastery
Active North Sikkim monastery above a river confluence
The monastery commands a view over the two rivers meeting in the valley below. Morning prayers (6–7am) include horn blowing and traditional chanting.
The significance of Lachung Monastery
The spiritual centre of the Lachung valley community. The resident Lama is a figure of significant respect in the village — both religious and social matters are brought to him. The monastery predates the modern tourist presence in North Sikkim.
What to see inside
Main Prayer Hall
Central Buddha statue, butter lamps and thangkas. Small but richly decorated in the Nyingma style.
Valley View Courtyard
The monastery courtyard looks directly over the confluence of the Yumthang Chu and Lachung Chu rivers — particularly dramatic in morning light.
Etiquette — please read before you go
- Remove footwear
- No photography during active prayer
- Circumambulate clockwise
- Dress modestly
How to reach Lachung Monastery from Lachung
A 2 km walk uphill from Lachung village (30–40 min) or vehicle to the monastery gate (5 min). Most guesthouses can arrange a jeep if the walk seems too much.
Best time to visit Lachung Monastery
Year-round. Morning puja (6–7am) is the most atmospheric time — arrive just before sunrise and you can hear the horns and drums from the village.
Time of dayDawn is best. The monastery faces east and catches the first light on clear mornings.
Things we always tell our guests about Lachung Monastery
- Remove footwear before the prayer hall entrance.
- Morning puja usually begins at 6am — arriving at 5:45am means you can sit in the courtyard as the monks arrive.
- The walk up from the village is a pleasant 30-minute trail through cardamom gardens — better than the road.
Lachung Monastery — your questions answered
Other places in Lachung
- ValleyMountain PassTrek