Visit Tashiding Monastery on its sacred hill
The monastery was founded in the seventeenth century in the line of the lamas who crowned the first king. The hill is a field of chortens, prayer walls carved with mantras, and shrines, with a long line of white chortens holding the relics of revered teachers. The view looks down on the two river valleys meeting below.
From the road head it is a steep 20 to 30-minute walk up to the main gate. Go slowly, walk clockwise around the chortens and carved stones, and spend time in the quiet courtyards. In February or March the Bumchu festival brings thousands of pilgrims.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How do I get to Tashiding Monastery
Tashiding is about 19 km from Yuksom and 40 km from Pelling. A reserved car from Yuksom costs about ₹2,500–3,000 return with waiting time; from Pelling about ₹3,000–3,500. From the road head a steep path climbs to the monastery in 20–30 minutes. Shared jeeps run between Tashiding bazaar and Gyalshing in the mornings.
What is the Bumchu festival at Tashiding
Bumchu is held at Tashiding on the 14th and 15th days of the first Tibetan month, usually in February or March. Lamas open a sacred vase of water and read its level as a forecast: full means peace, overflowing means trouble, low means famine. Pilgrims come from across Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan to receive a few drops.
Is there a dress code at Tashiding
There is no written dress code for visitors, but it is a living monastery, so wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees, remove hats inside halls and shoes where asked, and walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls. Do not climb on the carved stones or chortens, and ask before photographing monks or rituals.
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