Do Drul Chorten Stupa is one of the most important and biggest stupas in Sikkim. It is located in the Deorali area of Gangtok, near the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.
The stupa was built in 1945 by Trulshik Rinpoche, who was the head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. The name “Do Drul” means “Victory of the Rock” in the local language.
This place has a very interesting history. Locals believe that this spot was once haunted by evil spirits, so Trulshik Rinpoche built this stupa to drive them away.
Today, it is a very peaceful place. The stupa is surrounded by 108 Mani Lhakor or prayer wheels. These wheels have mantras inscribed on them.
The stupa has a golden top dome which can be seen from many places in Gangtok. Inside the stupa, there are complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Vajra Kilaya), holy books (Kangyur), and other religious objects.
It is a spiritual spot for peace lovers and Buddhist devotees. Because of its history and beauty, Do Drul Chorten Stupa is a must-visit during your Gangtok tour.
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Best time to visit Do Drul Chorten
Before planning your visit to Do Drul Chorten Stupa, it’s important to understand how weather affects your travel experience. Since this is a religious site and viewpoint, pleasant weather makes it more enjoyable.
You can visit this place throughout the year, but clear weather is better for sightseeing. Summer and Autumn are considered the best seasons to visit Do Drul Chorten Stupa.
Summer (March–June)
Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Do Drul Chorten Stupa. Because in this season, the weather is pleasant with clear skies. In this season, temperature stays between 12°C – 22°C in Gangtok, that is cool and comfortable for walking around the stupa.
In this season, you can spin the prayer wheels and enjoy the peaceful environment. This season is great for sightseeing and photography. If you are planning your Gangtok trip next year, choose this season.
Monsoon (July–September)
Monsoon is not recommended to visit Gangtok because of heavy rainfall. The roads become slippery and there is a risk of landslide in the hilly areas.
However, since Do Drul Chorten is inside the city, you can still visit if you are in Gangtok. But the weather is very cloudy and foggy, so visibility remains low. Most of the travellers avoid this season.
Autumn (October–November)
After summer, Autumn is also the best season to visit Gangtok and Do Drul Chorten Stupa. 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 8°C – 18°C in Gangtok, make it cool. This is a great season for capturing photos of the golden stupa against the blue sky. So you can visit Gangtok in this season.
Winter (December–February)
In Gangtok the winters are very cold because of Himalayas. But you can still visit Do Drul Chorten Stupa in winter if you are comfortable with colder temperatures.
In this season temperature remains between 3°C – 12°C. Mornings are chilly, but the air is clear. You will feel relaxed and calmness in this season. So if you want a quiet spiritual visit, this season will be perfect for you.
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How to Reach Do Drul Chorten
If you are planning to visit Gangtok and Do Drul Chorten Stupa you must have to take some knowledge about the transportation system in Gangtok to make your journey easy and hassle free.
Do Drul Chorten is very easy to reach because it is located in the Deorali area, just 2–3 km from MG Marg. There are many ways to reach to Gangtok and Do Drul Chorten:
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, book a local taxi to Do Drul Chorten Stupa. It is a short drive. No permit is required to visit the stupa.
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 local taxi to the Stupa.
By Road
This is the most convenient and best way to reach Do Drul Chorten. It is located in Deorali, about 2–3 km from Gangtok city center (MG Marg).
The road is smooth and well connected. You can easily reach by taxi or local shared jeep. It takes around 10–15 minutes from MG Marg. So you can visit easily.
Tour Package
If you want a stress-free travel experience, you can book a Gangtok Tour Package that includes Do Drul Chorten Stupa in the itinerary.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
These are nearby places to visit in Gangtok and Do Drul Chorten Stupa.
FAQs
Why is Do Drul Chorten Stupa famous?
Because it is one of the biggest stupas in Sikkim, has a golden dome, and is surrounded by 108 prayer wheels. It is a very important spiritual place.
Where is Do Drul Chorten Stupa located & how far from Gangtok?
It is located in Deorali area, near Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It is about 2–3 km from Gangtok MG Marg. It’s a quick drive of around 10–15 minutes.
Is there an entry fee or permit needed?
No, there is no entry fee or permit required to visit Do Drul Chorten Stupa.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer (March–June) and Autumn (October–November) are the best times for most travellers.
What are the timings of the Stupa?
You can visit the stupa from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week.
