Tashiding Monastery, located at a distance of 19 km to the south-east of Yuksom and 40 km from Gyalshing, is a Buddhist monastery. Dating back to 1641, the monastery is perched on the top of the hill located between the Rangit River and Rathong River. This Monastery is constructed on the top of a heart-shaped hill with the backdrop of the sacred Mount Kanchenjunga. It is basically known for two reasons - the Holy Chorten called 'Thong-Wa-Rang-To' and sacred water festival.
The monastery was founded by Ngadak Sempa Chempo Phunshok Rigzing, who belonged to Nyingma sect. However, in 1717, this monastery was renovated and extended during the reign by third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal. In addition, the monastery is constructed on the site, which is believed to be blessed by the great Guru Padmasambhava.
According to a legend, it is said that Guru Padmasambhava shot an arrow in the air so as to select the place for his meditation. The site where the arrow stroked became the place of Tashiding Monastery.
At present, the monastery is encircled by chortens, traditional buildings and mani. Mani are the stone plates, which have Buddhist inscriptions inscribed on it. These stone plates are crafted by master craftsman, known as Yanchong Lodil. The 'Thong-Wa-rang-Dol' is the most significant chorten of all the chortens located around this monastery.
The Bumchu Ceremony is the annual festival of the monastery, which is held on the 14th and 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan Calendar. Held during the midnight, this festival attracts several devotees from all around the world.
The monastery is located only 40 km from Geyzing and is easily accessible by buses and Jeeps from the town. It is surrounded by rivers on its both sides – the Rathong river and the Rangit river. The mighty Kanchanjunga in its backdrop gives a rare opportunity to the tourists to enjoy the mesmerizing views of the world's third highest peak. The monastery is also called Chogyal Lakhang. It is situated on a beautiful hill dotted with myriad trees. The monastery houses a sacred stone jar which is as old as the monastery itself. The jar is believed to possess some heavenly power as it never runs dry. Devotees from far and wide come to the monastery to sip the sacred water.
Tashiding Monastery was built in 1717 by Ngadak Sempa Chembo during the rule of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal. The pillars of the monastery are adorned with the holy mantras of Buddhism. “Om Mane Padme Hum” is one of the mantras carved by the known craftsman Yanchong Lodil. Like other religious centres Tashiding Monastery has its own traditions, the most important is the ceremony of Bumchu. It is held at midnight of the 14th and 15th of the first Tibetan month.
A sacred Chorten(stupa) is an attraction of the monastery. This stupa is called 'Thong-Wa-rang-Dol', meaning 'Saviours'. It is believed that if one sees this stupa, all his/her bad karma are destroyed. According to the Buddhist scriptures, Guru Padma Sambhava blessed the land of Sikkim at this point in the 8th century. Also notable are the ' manis' (stone plates) reading the Buddhist mantras.
