About Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa)
Rinchenpong Monastery — also called Phur-Bha Gompa — is a 17th-century Nyingma gompa on the ridge above Rinchenpong town, reached by a 20-minute forest walk from the main road. This is one of the genuinely undiscovered monasteries of West Sikkim: the stone gate, carved wooden columns and original wall murals have never been heavily restored and retain an authentic, lived-in quality that larger gompas rarely have. The courtyard looks directly at the Kanchenjunga massif on clear mornings. If you are staying in Rinchenpong you will probably have it entirely to yourself — which is rare for a 17th-century monastery.
Why go to Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa)
Original 17th-century murals — never heavily restored
Unlike many Sikkim monasteries repainted in recent decades, Rinchenpong's murals retain their original brushwork and pigment, giving the prayer hall an atmospheric quality that restored gompas lack.
Kanchenjunga from the courtyard
The monastery courtyard faces west — the Kanchenjunga group fills the horizon on clear mornings. Arguably the best Kanchenjunga courtyard view in West Sikkim.
Forest walk through temperate woodland
The approach path passes through oak, alder and wild rhododendron. Bird diversity is high and the forest floor has wild cardamom in the lower sections.
The significance of Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa)
A 17th-century Nyingma monastery on the Rinchenpong ridge — one of the oldest and least-visited gompas in West Sikkim. Never heavily restored, the original murals and carved columns give the prayer hall an authenticity that is rare.
What to see inside
Main prayer hall
Original 17th-century murals covering all four walls — slightly faded, never repainted, with an atmosphere that freshly restored halls cannot replicate. Carved wooden columns with lotus-capital detailing.
Monastery courtyard
The courtyard faces west, with direct sight-lines to the Kanchenjunga massif. On clear October to February mornings the snow peaks fill the view above the courtyard gate — one of the best monastery-and-mountain compositions in West Sikkim.
Forest approach path
The 20-minute forest walk from Rinchenpong passes through oak and rhododendron with wild cardamom at the lower section. The approach is as much part of the experience as the monastery itself.
Etiquette — please read before you go
- Remove shoes at the entrance to the prayer hall.
- Walk clockwise around any chorten or statue.
- No photography during active puja without permission from the monks.
- Dress modestly — no shorts or sleeveless tops.
- Speak quietly in and around the prayer hall.
How to reach Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa) from Rinchenpong
The trailhead is at the upper end of Rinchenpong village — any homestay host will show you the start. The forest path climbs steadily for 20 minutes. No vehicle access to the monastery itself.
Best time to visit Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa)
Year-round — the monastery is open in all seasons. October to April gives the clear Kanchenjunga views from the courtyard. The morning puja is at approximately 7 am.
Time of dayWalk up from Rinchenpong at 6:30 am and you will arrive as the monks begin the morning puja. The walk through the damp morning forest to the sound of the monastery drum is one of the great small experiences of West Sikkim.
Things we always tell our guests about Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa)
- Start the walk at 6:30 am to arrive at morning puja. It is the best time at any monastery.
- The forest path has no signs — your homestay host or driver can show you the first 200 m.
- Remove shoes at the prayer hall entrance. Dress modestly.
- From the monastery you can continue on forest tracks to Darap Village (45 minutes downhill) — ask your homestay to arrange a jeep pick-up at Darap.
Rinchenpong Monastery (Phur-Bha Gompa) — your questions answered
Other places in Rinchenpong
- ViewpointValley