The Enchey Monastery is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Gangtok. Built on a hillock with a majestic view of the mountains, its name comes from the fact that, at the time it was built, it was the solitary monastery here, with a very small settlement around. Today, however, it is a different story, for the TV tower is right outside the monastery and along with the beautiful mountain view, the monastery also has a commanding view of the city spread below.

The story of the monastery goes back to the times of the patron saint of Sikkim, Padmasambhava, who, it is said, subdued the spirits of the holy mountain Kanchendzonga, as well as the protective spirits in this monastery. These spirits are said to live on in the monastery, which draw the devout here even today.

The path to the monastery, like most others, is lined with prayer wheels. Here, unlike many other monasteries, a board explains the importance of the prayer wheels and the meanings of the chant engraved on them. The monastery itself is built in the Chinese style, with pagoda-like roofs and colourfully decorated windows. Originally built in 1840, the monastery has been rebuilt multiple times. The present structure is quite a recent one, renovated after an earthquake. It is an extremely serene and peaceful monastery, a definite must-visit in Gangtok.

Additional information: Enchey Monastery is located near the TV tower, about 3 Km from the city centre.