Buddhist Heritage Village Called Yuksom, where Three Lamas Established Dubdi Monastery

By George On

Dubdi MonasteryDubdi Monastery

Yuksom is a beautiful Heritage village and Hill Station in Sikkim state, India. It was the capital city of the erstwhile Chogyal dynasty, which ruled the area for 333 years, from 1642 AD till 1975.

This area is known for its pristine beauty. It is also known as the ‘Meeting place of Three Lamas’, as the three Lamas assembled here in 1641 and selected the first monarch of the Chogyal dynasty in 1642. The monarch was given the title Chogyal, which means religious king. Lutsum Chembo, Sempa Chembo, and Rinzing Chembo were the three Tibetan Buddhist monks assembled here in 1641.

The first monarch was crowned at Norbugang near Yuksom. The coronation site of the first Chogyal King, Phuntsog Namgyal, and several other Chogyal monarchs are situated here. Yuksom was elected the first capital city by Phuntsog Namgyal, the first Chogyal King. Chogyal monarchy had 12 Monarchs, from 1642 to 1975.

Yuksom, a Hill station town in SikkimYuksom, a Hill station town in Sikkim.

Dubdi Monastery or Dubdi Gompa alias Hermit’s Cell at Yuksom is the first & oldest monastery in Sikkim. Dubdi Monastery was established in the year 1701 by the Chogyals. It takes around one hour’s walk from Yuksom. Mallu Monastery, a smaller Monastery, is also situated here.

This hill station town is the top station of Khangchendzonga National Park. Yuksom and the surrounding Kanchenjunga Himalayan mountain ranges are famous for trekking. It is also the base camp for Kanchenjunga trekking by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and is best suited for adventure holidays. Adventure tourists can trek to different places like Tashiding or Dzongri Peak or Goecha La alias Goechala from here.

How do I go to Yuksom Buddhist Heritage Village?

The nearest airport is Bagdogra, at around 170 kilometers distance, in the nearby West Bengal state. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station in West Bengal state, is the nearest railway station around 150 kilometers away, which takes approximately 6 to 7 hours to drive. Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim state is approximately 123 kilometres away.