Do-Drul Chorten

The Do-Drul Chorten (or Duddul Choedten) is one of the most recognisable stupas in Gangtok. It is said that this site was haunted by spirits, who troubled anyone who came here. Then a powerful Lama arrived from Tibet, subdued the spirits, and built a monastery. A stupa was built later, so that the spirits could be contained even after his passing. Inside the stupa are placed sacred texts, statues of the gods and other such religious objects.

There are two other, smaller stupas here, containing statues of the head of the order. Around these Stupas are 108 prayer wheels, which people turn continually, and on one side is an enclosure where lamps are lit by the devout for their departed ancestors. Surrounding all this is the monastery with residences for the monks who come here to study.

Additional information: The Do-drul Chorten is walking distance from the Institute of Tibetology.