Phodong Monastery is one of the six most important and beautiful monasteries in Sikkim. It is located about 38 km from Gangtok city. It is a major stop for tourists travelling to Gangtok.
The monastery was built in the early 18th century (around 1740) by Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal. It belongs to the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Because of its history and spiritual importance, it is very famous among Buddhist.
This place is very peaceful and beautiful. The monastery is situated at an altitude of 4,500 feet, so you get a beautiful view of the valleys and mountains.
Inside the monastery, there are murals and paintings which are very old and beautiful.
It is a residence for around 260 monks. If you visit during the annual festival (usually in December or January), you can see the famous “Chaam” or masked dance performed by the monks. This is a very special experience.
It is a perfect spot for history lovers, spiritual seekers, and nature lovers. Because of its location and beauty, Phodong Monastery is a must-visit during your Gangtok tour.
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Best time to visit Phodong Monastery
Before you are planning your visit to Phodong Monastery, it’s important to understand how weather and seasons affect the travel experience.
Phodong is located about 38 km from Gangtok so the road condition and weather play a big role.
You can visit this place throughout the year, but clear weather is better for sightseeing and road travel. Summer and Autumn are considered the best seasons to visit Phodong Monastery.
But there is complete detail of each season.
Summer (March–June)
Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Phodong Monastery. Because in this season, the weather is pleasant and beautiful with cloud free clear skies. In this season, the temperature stays between 10°C – 20°C in this area, that is cool and comfortable.
In this season, the valley looks green and beautiful. This season is great for sightseeing, photography, and enjoying the drive from Gangtok. If you are planning your Gangtok tour, choose this season.
Monsoon (July–September)
Monsoon is not recommended to visit Phodong Monastery. Because the road conditions are not good and there is risk of landslides during heavy rain.
Heavy rainfall may make the roads slippery and dangerous. Also, the weather is very cloudy and foggy, so visibility remains low and you can’t enjoy the mountain views. Most of the travellers avoid this season for North Sikkim.
Autumn (October–November)
After summer, Autumn is also the best season to visit Gangtok and Phodong Monastery. This is post monsoon season so you will see greenery everywhere and with clear skies.
In this season, the weather becomes clear and pleasant. In this season, temperature stays between 5°C – 15°C, make it cool. This is a great season for capturing photos of the monastery and the surrounding landscapes. So you can visit in this season.
Winter (December–February)
In North Sikkim the winters are very cold. But you can still visit Phodong Monastery in winter if you are comfortable with colder temperatures.
In this season temperature remains between 0°C – 10°C. Mornings are very chilly. However, the annual festival with Chaam Dance usually happens in this season (December or January), which is a big attraction. So if you want to see the cultural dance, this season will be perfect for you.
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How to Reach Phodong Monastery
If you are planning to visit Phodong Monastery you must have to take some idea of how to reach to Phodong Monastery. It will make your journey smooth and easy. Phodong Monastery is located about 38 km from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach there from the city center.
By Flight
There are no airports in Gangtok city so you have to reach to the nearest airport first. The nearest airports are Pakyong Airport and Bagdogra Airport. You can reach any of the airport from both.
At any airport, you will easily taxi or cab to Gangtok. Once you reach Gangtok, you have to hire a vehicle to go to Phodong Monastery.
By Train
There are no train stations in Sikkim. Because trains not operate in Sikkkim because of the mountain area. So you have to reach to the nearest New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri train stations.
From here you can hire a local taxi or cab to Gangtok. You will get easily. And after reaching Gangtok you can book a taxi to Phodong.
By Road
This is the only way to reach Phodong from Gangtok. It is located on the North Sikkim Highway. You can hire a private taxi from Gangtok.
Shared jeeps are also available from the North Sikkim Stand in Gangtok that go towards Mangan. You can drop off at Phodong. The drive is scenic but the road can be rough in some places.
Tour Package
If you want a stress-free travel experience, you can book a Gangtok Tour Package that includes Phodong Monastery in the itinerary.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
These are nearby places to visit in Gangtok and Phodong Monastery.
