Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Gangtok Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
- 10 per person
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Gangtok Phone
09832 031614
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| 4/5 stars
Based on total 29 reviews
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Gangtok Address: Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737101, India
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is one of its kind education centers in Gangtok. It’s home to centuries-old Tibetan-Buddhist religion, literature and science brought from Tibet in the 1950s. And it was built to preserve all those invaluable textual materials.
Despite being a place for study and research, the institute is a major tourist attraction in Gangtok. It houses a museum and two libraries that are open to visitors.
The collection of artifacts in Namgyal Institute of Tibetology includes thangkas, statues, ritual instruments and several other treasures. It not only preserves the glorious past of Tibetan culture but also seeks to document the social history of Sikkim.
Located in the Deorali area of Gangtok, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has been open since 1958. Its foundation stone was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1957. The site belonged to Tashi Namgyal, the 11th Chogyal of Sikkim. His successor, Palden Thondup Namgyal, helped in establishing the institute.
Things to do at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
1. Visiting the museum – Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has a museum with an impressive collection of Tibetan art and artifacts. The exhibits display various thangkas, coins and ritual objects. A large Manjushri picture brought from Tibet is another of the prominent attractions here. The images of the first king of Sikkim, the three founders of Sikkim and Padmasambhava and a statue of Namgyalma are other stand-out art pieces.
2. Exploring the institute's library – The institute has two libraries. The Tibetan library preserves sacred Buddhist literature, Tantric texts and other rare literary works. The General library of Namgyal Tibetology Institute has books about the societal norms of Sikkim and neighbouring countries. While tourists have limited access, you can check with the administration to browse the entire collection.
3. Admiring the architecture – The institute's building itself is a work of art. Take some time to appreciate the design and click photographs. It’s an imposing monument with traditional Tibetan architecture. And it stands tall amidst the lap of landscaped gardens.
4. Learning about Tibetan Buddhism – Apart from preserving Tibetan history and art, the institute promotes the study of literature, religion and philosophy of Tibet. If you're interested in Tibetan Buddhism, seek the schedule of upcoming lectures and seminars. With permission, you might even be allowed to observe ongoing classes.
5. Relaxing at the cafe – A few steps away from the institute is a cozy cafe. It’s a good place to sit and relax after the tour. The cafe serves hot beverages like tea and coffee and a selection of snacks and other refreshments.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Timings and Entry Fee
Sikkim Namgyal Institute is open Monday through Saturday. The opening time is from 10 AM to 4 PM. It’s closed only on Sundays and national holidays.
The best time to visit the institute is around the winter months, either in October/November or February/March. The weather is the most comfortable for exploration during these months. Summer season (March to June) is also suitable.
The tourist entry fee to the museum and library of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is ₹10. You need only around an hour to explore them.
How to reach Namgyal Institute of Tibetology?
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Gangtok is two km away from the city center, and only a few hundred meters away from Deorali bus stop. The nearest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri (117 km away), and the nearest airport is in Bagdogra (122 km away).
Now, here’s how to reach Namgyal Institute from Gangtok –
By bike – Rental bikes are available in the Gangtok market area. You can book one easily and explore the institute premises.
By cab/taxi – Hiring a shared taxi or private cab is the most comfortable way to visit Namgyal Institute and other tourist places nearby. SUVs are readily available for hire with the top car rental companies in Gangtok.
Plan a guided tour to Gangtok with our all-inclusive Gangtok tour packages to have a great time in the city. We at Gangtok Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, possess several years of experience in organizing tours to this amazing destination. To know more about our services, we request you to fill out the Contact Us form.
