Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a distinguishing Tibetan museum that is located on the enchanting mountaintop of Gangtok. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which was founded in 1958, is a well-known and significant institution in the world for its extensive research on the Mahayana sect of Buddhism and Tibetan language and culture. The property on which the institute now sits in Deorali, less than 2 km from the capital Gangtok, was donated by the late Sikkim king Sir Tashi Namgyal in honor of his son Late Palden Thondup Namgyal (the Chogyal of Sikkim), and the institution was afterward named in his honor.

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Namgyal Institute of Tibetology History

The 14th Dalai Lama placed the foundation stone for the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology on February 10, 1957, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave it it’s official opening on October 1, 1958. The institute is surrounded by a luxuriant forest of oak, magnolia, and pine trees. The institute’s main structure is an imposing monument, a magnificent illustration of Sikkimese architecture, and it continues to be one of the finest examples of traditional Tibetan architecture in existence. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology publishes the Bulletin of Tibetology and numerous other important books, and its library houses one of the biggest collections of Tibetan writings outside of Tibet. The institute also operates a museum of Tibetan iconography and sacred art.

It has over 60,000 volumes that include translations of the original teachings of Lord Buddha, thesis and articles from imminent Buddhist scholars from all over the world, and xylographs (that are created from wooden plates where the transcripts are embossed in reverse order). Besides the voluminous collection of Buddhist books and manuscripts the museum of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology contains many rare collections of coins, Tibetan cloth paintings called thangka, statues, human thighbone trumpets, and a kapala – bowl made of a human skull, all explained completely by detailed captions.

But one of the most prominent items stored in Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is the grand and majestic image of Manjushree (bodhisattva of knowledge and wisdom) which was brought all the way from Tibet. New programs are being created, with lectures, publications, and seminars by foreign scholars being undertaken, all in the hope to transform the institute as a research center in the Eastern Himalayas.

For souvenirs, there is a gift shop within the premises of institutes. Tourists who came with little to no knowledge about the Buddhist religion will get an insight into the tradition and culture followed from the ancient era through a visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The vast collection of rare manuscripts has attracted scholars who are doing an in-depth study of the Tibetan culture to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The institute is an excellent example of art and history. The vast collection of astounding and ancient Buddhist artifacts has made Namgyal Institute of Tibetology one of the favored places to visit in Gangtok.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Attractions

At Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, visitors and scholars are astounded by the vast collection of manuscripts, writings, and artifacts related to the decades-old tradition and culture of the Buddhist religion that is still practiced. The human mind has always been fascinated by the ancient rituals and traditions practiced by other religions and it thrive to learn about the reason behind the creation of those traditions.

A trip to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology guarantees learning about Tibetan art, culture, and language as well as take in the breathtaking view of the neighbouring valley from the hills. With its amazing relics and exquisite architecture, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, perched on the beautiful hilltop of Gangtok, has become a must-see location when visiting Sikkim.