Morning prayers at Lava monastery
The monastery stands on a rise just above Lava bazaar, a short walk from most stays. It belongs to the Karma Kagyu school and was built on land offered by the local Buddhist community to the third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. It opened in 1990 and now has over a hundred monks.
Come early to hear the long horns and chanting of morning prayers, then walk around the prayer wheels and the lawns. On clear days the hills of East Sikkim and Bhutan's border ridges show to the north and east. Next door is the Mane Lhakhang, a community temple opened by the Dalai Lama in 2001.
Dress modestly, remove shoes before the halls and walk clockwise.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What time are prayers at Lava monastery?
Morning prayers usually start soon after dawn, and there are often prayers again in the late afternoon. Times vary with the season and the monastery calendar. Ask at your homestay or at the monastery the evening before, and arrive quietly. You can sit at the back of the hall if invited.
Is Lava monastery the same as Ratnarishi Bihar?
Yes. The Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery is also called Ratnarishi Bihar Buddhist Gumpa, and locals often just say the Lava monastery or Lava gompa. It is a Karma Kagyu monastery opened in 1990, standing beside the Neora reservoir above the bazaar.
Can I take photographs at the monastery?
You can photograph the outside, the courtyard and the views. Inside the prayer hall, ask first and avoid flash; some days photography is not allowed. Do not photograph monks during prayers without permission, and do not step over cushions or sit on raised seats.
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