Dubdi Monastery, occasionally called Yuksom Monastery is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism near Yuksom, in the Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim District, in northeastern India.
Shrine’s History
The dubdi monastery is central to the history of Sikkim as it is closely linked to the founding of the State of Sikkim at Yuksom in the middle of the 17th century by Lhetsum Chenpo and his two associate lamas. Chenpos green image is enshrined in the Dhubdi monastery as it was established by him to commemorate the founding of the Kingdom of Sikkim. It is the only monastery (purported now as the first monastery built in Sikkim) surviving out of the four built at that time, the other three locations are now identified by a cluster of four juniper trees was the location where a monastery of Khardokpa sect existed; another location of a monastery established by Lama of Nadakpa sect now seen in the form of a rocky mound and two juniper trees, and the third site has now a chorten, which was originally the location of the residence of the King of Sikkim who was crowned at Yuksom by the three lamas. Monastery had thirty monks some time back. Now to gain access to the monastery, the only monk who stays in the monastery has to be informed in advance.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
Dubdi stands at an altitude of 2,100 metres on a spur. Established during the reign of Chogyar Namgyal, the Monastery has an elaborately painted interior area. Images of divinities, saints, other symbols and collection of manuscripts and texts are housed in the monastery. The statues of three lamas who were responsible for establishing Yuksom are also installed in the monastery. It is a two-storied structure built in stone. It is square in plan and faces south. It has a tapering tower with a flat roof made of iron sheets with projecting eaves. The top of the roof has a bell-shaped gilded dome known as Gyaltshen?. The monastery has two side aisles where a rare collection of manuscripts and other ritual texts are preserved
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The nearest Bus stop is Yuksom
By Rail
The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri
By Air
The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, 12 km west of Siliguri and about 170 km from Yuksom.
