Monasteries and shrines · Phodong
Visiting Phodong Monastery
A calm hour at a Karma Kagyu monastery that Wikipedia credits to Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal in 1740: courtyard, prayer hall, murals and monks at work. A short, rewarding stop on the road north.
Photo: dhillan chandramowli · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Park below the monastery and walk up through the gate. The courtyard is wide, with the main prayer hall on one side and monks' quarters around it. Wikipedia's article records old murals and about 260 monks, though numbers change. A caretaker may open the hall for visitors, and you are welcome to sit quietly at the back.
Take off your shoes and hat before going inside. Ask before photographing the murals or statues, and follow any sign. Do not touch the paintings or instruments. If monks are chanting, stay for a few minutes and listen, because the long horns, cymbals and drums are part of the tradition.
Arrive in the morning, when the light is soft and the hall is least crowded. Monasteries are working institutions, and opening hours and fees are set by the monastery, so check current status before you travel. A small donation in the box is appreciated and is a good way to say thank you.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
What are the opening hours of Phodong Monastery?
We do not have fixed hours to quote. Many Sikkim monasteries welcome visitors through the morning and early afternoon, with a pause at midday, but this varies with prayers and festivals. Ask your driver or check current status before you travel, and aim to arrive between 9 am and noon.
Is there an entry fee for Phodong Monastery?
As far as we know there is no fixed ticket, but a donation box is usual and a small offering is welcome. Photography fees or restrictions may apply inside the prayer hall. Arrangements can change, so check current status before you travel and follow signs and the caretaker's advice.
What should I wear at Phodong Monastery?
Wear modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and shoes that slip off easily. You will leave your shoes and hat outside the hall. Carry a warm layer, since the stone floors and courtyard are cold in winter and the prayer hall is often cool even on sunny days.
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