Tendong Gumpa

Tendong Dichhen Salhun Gumpa, usually called Tendong Gumpa, is a Buddhist monastery at 8,530 ft on Tendong peak in Sikkim, surrounded by reserve forest. It can be reached only on foot, 6 km from Damthang or 7 km from Perbing, and is so secluded that no monks or nuns live there. Lamas meditated on the peak long before 1930; the chortens date from 1951–52, and the gumpa was built in 1955 with help from the King and Queen of Sikkim. Partly damaged in the 2011 earthquake, it was repaired.

The complex has a two-storey Gurulakhang with a small library, a manilakhang for Chenrezig with a prayer wheel, a holy meditation cave and a two-room hut for staying. A 50 ft tower gives all-round views of the mountains, including Kanchenjunga, and of sunrise on clear mornings. On Tshechu in March–April thousands of young people climb up to pray. The forests hold rhododendron, magnolia and oak, with barking deer, flying squirrels, bears and wild boar.