Rumtek, famous for its gompas and their fascinating monastic ceremonies, lies in the lap of the Himalayas, the eastern Indian state of Sikkim. Rumtek, being the seat of His Holiness, the XVIth Gyawla Karmapa, is the head of the Karma Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. On the 28th and 29th day of the tenth lunar month (July) the cham dance is performed by monks wearing grotesque masks and colourful dresses, culminating in a ritual dismembering of an effigy symbolising evil. It is about 24 km from Gangtok.

    It is the head-quarters of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Lamaistic Buddhism, built by 16th Gwalpa Karmapa who took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. They brought with them whatever statues, thangkas and scriptures they could. It now houses the Dharma Chakra Centre and the golden reliquary of the 16th Gwalpa. The important chaam (religious mask dance) of Rumtek is performed here. The dance presents eight manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche. This is highly colourful and spectacular and draws many pilgrims and visitors.

    There is a regular bus service to Rumtek and taxis are also abundantly available. Whereas the bus to Rumtek from Gangtok is about Rs 12/- one way hiring a taxi to Rumtek and back would cost about Rs 350 /-. Cheap accommodation is offered in the few hotels around the monastery besides there are also a couple of shops and one or two tea shops. Half a kilometre before the Main Monastery is the Shambala Tourist Resort which provides modern amenities in typical rural setting whith tourist huts built in traditional Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali style.

    A trditional spot, which is five kilometres away towards Siang is the Martam Village Restort. A full day's trip by car from Gangtok, the monastery at Pemagyantse (the perfect sublime lotus) is 140 kms west of Gangtok. Pemagyantse, situated at an latitude of 2085 metres, presents a panoramic view of the high Himalayas. Legand has it that the great tantric saint, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, searching for a place to meditate, shot an arrow in the air. The place where the arrow landed is where Pemagyantse monastery stands. The monastery houses on its top floor a wooden, intricately crafted structure, depicting Guru Rinpoche's abode. The annual Cham festival is held in February.

How to reach
The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 124 kms from Gangtok, and the nearest railway stations are at Siliguri, 114 kms, and New Jalpaiguri, 126 kms from Gangtok.