Culture · Labrang
Looking at Labrang's statues, texts and murals
Spend time in Labrang's museum and prayer hall, where Wikipedia records a large collection of Buddha statues, sutras and murals, and a bronze statue of Karma Guru. A short, close look at Tibetan Buddhist art in Sikkim.
Photo: Prof Ranga Sai · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Wikipedia's article says the monastery houses a museum with a large collection of Buddha statues, sutras and murals. The museum is small, and opening hours depend on the monastery, so ask at the gate. If it is closed, the prayer hall holds statues and paintings that are worth the stop.
Look at how each figure is painted and posed: hands, colours and what the figure holds. A caretaker or monk may explain a few of them if you ask politely. The bronze Karma Guru is a wrathful form of Padmasambhava, and Wikipedia lists it among the notable objects.
Do not touch statues, murals or books, and do not photograph inside unless permitted. Keep to the path and speak quietly. If you are interested in texts, remember that sutras are sacred objects, not display pieces. Check current status before you travel.
Good for
Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Is there a museum at Labrang?
Wikipedia says the monastery houses a museum with a large collection of Buddha statues, sutras and murals. Opening hours depend on the monastery and visits may need a caretaker to unlock it. Check current status before you travel and ask at the gate.
Can I take photos inside Labrang?
Ask first. Many Sikkim monasteries allow photography in the courtyard but not inside the prayer hall or museum, and some charge a fee. Follow any sign and the caretaker's advice, and never use flash near murals or statues.
What is Karma Guru?
Karma Guru is a wrathful form of Padmasambhava, the teacher honoured in the Nyingma school as bringing Buddhism to Tibet. Wikipedia records a bronze statue of it at Labrang. If you want to understand the form, ask a monk politely, and do not touch the statue.
Also in Labrang
More hours worth planning
Monasteries and shrines
Visiting Labrang Monastery
A quiet hour at a Nyingma monastery built between 1826 and 1843, on a forest ledge above Phodong. See the courtyard, prayer …
Nature
Walking up from Phodong to Labrang
Walk the steep 2 km lane from Phodong up to Labrang through forest, with the option of taking a car back. A …
Culture
Two monasteries in one morning
Visit Phodong Monastery, a Karma Kagyu house credited to 1740, and Labrang, a Nyingma monastery built 1826 to 1843, in one outing. …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
- No payment to start
- Permits handled through registered partners
- Every hotel, car and fee listed