For history buffs, it’s always a pleasure to visit the historical places in Sikkim as it allows them to know the past and get some authentic information. A lot of tourists visit the historical places in this northeastern state to learn about the state’s rich history and various religions practiced here.
If you want to explore India’s history and want to get a feel of the exoticism of the place, then include Sikkim on your bucket list. Many historical places in Sikkim hold some religious significance, out of which a few are written below:
8 Must-See Historical Places in Sikkim
- Yuksom
- Rabdentse Ruins
- Siddheshwar Dham
- Rumtek Monastery
- Dubdi Monastery
- Pemayangtse Monastery
- Coronation Throne of Norbugang
- Namchi
1. Yuksom
Yuksom is a small town situated in the northern Indian state of Sikkim. The town is surrounded by beautiful natural beauty, including lush forests and snow-covered mountains. The town is popular for its rich cultural heritage and for being an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
The town is home to many historical landmarks like the Coronation Throne of Norbugang, the Dubdi Monastery, etc. also this is an ideal destination for trekkers due to the existence of several trails leading through the surrounding mountains and forests.
2. Rabdentse Ruins
- Best time to visit: The summer season starting March-May is the best time to visit due to pleasant weather.
- Location- Geyzing, Sikkim 737111
- Timing- 10am–5pm
Rabdentse Ruins is among the beautiful historical places in Sikkim, it is a must-visit attraction for tourists who want to dig into the past. The place was the 2nd capital of Sikkim’s former Kingdom from 1670- 1814 but was destroyed by invading Gurkha army and only the ruins of the palace and the chortens are seen here now.
Today also one can see the damaged parts of Rabdentse here.
3. Siddheshwar Dham
- Location- Namchi, Namthang Rd, Sikkim
Another historical places in Sikkim is Siddheshwar Dham which is a popular Hindu temple. The temple is also known as Char Dham Temple and is located on the Solofolk hill at a distance of about 5 kilometers from the main city of Namchi. The key attraction of this temple is the 108 feet high statue of Lord Shiva which is easily visible from a distance of many kilometers as well. The temple is built quite similar to the Char Dham temples of India and hence has been named accordingly.
The 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva are also replicated here including Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameshwar and Ghushneshwar which with the idol of Lord Shiva in the center.
4. Rumtek Monastery
- Location- Dharma Chakra Centre, Sikkim
- Timing- 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Rumtek Monastery which is also known as the Dharma Chakra Centre, is located around 23 km from Gangtok. It is a very beautiful monument in Sikkim. Established by the Wangchuk Dorje, 9th Karmapa Lama in the 16th century, Rumtek is among the largest monastery in Sikkim which is quite similar to the original monastery in Tsurphu in Tibet.
Also, the monastery has a world-renowned center for Kagyu teachings, consisting of some of the rarest and oldest Buddhist religious art objects found in the world.
5. Dubdi Monastery
- Location- Near Yuksom, Yuksom, Sikkim 737113
- Timing- 07:00 am – 04:00 pm
Dubdi Monastery/ Yuksom Monastery is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Established in 1701 by Chogyal Namgyal, the monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the state being located at a height of 2,100 m. The monastery is a two-story structure and has images of divinities, saints, other symbols, and a collection of manuscripts and texts.
Visitors coming to this place can have a magnificent bird’s eye view of the entire place.
6. Pemayangtse Monastery
Despite being a 300 years-old monastery, it is in excellent condition today as well. the monastery is located at an altitude of over 6500 feet and the three-sided structure with different statues, including Padmasambhava, is the key attraction. Pemayangtse Monastery is the second and oldest monastery in Sikkim.
Being located at a higher altitude of 5840 feet, travelers can get a scenic view of snow-capped hills and valleys with dense forests.
7. Coronation Throne of Norbugang
- Location- Norbu gang, Coronation throne of Namgyal Dynasty, Sikkim
In 1642, at the Coronation Throne of Norbugang, the first Chogyal king – Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned. After the ceremony, a wall-like structure – Norbugang Chorten, was erected here.
The place is very popular for the presence of one of the three Lamas that are embedded in a rock just opposite to the king’s throne. It is the center of Buddhist pilgrims with many monasteries like Dubdi Monastery, Kartok Monastery, and Tashiding Monastery located near it.
8. Namchi
- Best time to visit: March-May is the best time to visit the place due to the moderate temperature.
Namchi is one of the most popular historical places in Sikkim. The word Namchi has been originated from the Sikkimese word ‘Nam’ which means ‘sky’, and ‘Chi’ signifies ‘high’. The place is located at a height of 1,675m above sea level and thus presents a spectacular view of the Khangchendzonga range and Rangit valley. Namchi is home to the Buxa Formation of Manley, the stromatolite-bearing Dolomite Limestones- the same has been declared a national geological monument in Sikkim by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
The statue of Padmasambhava, which is almost 135ft high, is also present here. The statue is painted in copper and gold and located on a hill atop at the Samdruptse ridge.
Conclusion
The state of Sikkim has many stunning sites, from ancient ruins to mesmerizing nature treks to amazing waterfalls to historical places in Sikkim, there is so much to explore in this northeastern state. So, what are you waiting for? Get the best Sikkim honeymoon package that conveniently cover travel, accommodation, and much more by exploring our Sikkim tour packages.
FAQs About Historical Places of Sikkim
How many historical places are there in Sikkim?
Some of the popular historical places in Sikkim include Rabdentse Ruins, Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir, Namchi, Rumtek Monastery, Dubdi Monastery, Yuksom, Pemayangtse Monastery, etc. The historical places in Sikkim are known all over the world for their marvelous design and structure.
Which is the oldest monument in Sikkim?
Established in 1701 by Chogyal Namgyal, the first ruler of Sikkim, Dubdi Monastery is the oldest monastery in Sikkim. The monastery is located on a hilltop near Yuksom amidst the lush forests and stunning mountain views.
Name some of the famous places in Sikkim.
Some of the popular places in Sikkim include Lachen, Yumthang Valley, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Yuksom, Lachung, Teesta River, Ravangla, Pelling, Zuluk, Namchi, Khangchendzonga National Park, Rumtek Monastery, to name a few.
What is the best time to visit Sikkim?
The most preferred time to visit Sikkim is either between March-May or during the winter season beginning October – January. However, Sikkim remains accessible for tourists throughout the year due to pleasant weather and beautiful sightseeing places. But avoid coming to this place during the monsoon months, i.e. July and August.
When can I see snow in Sikkim?
The best time to see snow in Sikkim is from December to February.
Must Read – 9 Best Places to Enjoy Snowfall in Sikkim
Months Wise Sikkim Tour Guide
Sikkim in January ➩ Sikkim in February ➩ Sikkim in March ➩ Sikkim in April
Sikkim in May ➩ Sikkim in June ➩ Sikkim in July ➩ Sikkim in August
Sikkim in September ➩ Sikkim in October ➩ Sikkim in November ➩ Sikkim in December
