Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

The Sikkim Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, located in Deorali, is a short walk from Gangtok's main town. Nearby, you'll find the Dotrabu Chorten of Guru Padmasambhava and a small temple dedicated to him, housing a 60-foot statue. Formerly known as the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, named after Sikkim's late Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, this institute is now called the Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology (SRIT). It's renowned for its collection of Tibetan literature, rare manuscripts, paintings, thangkas, statues, religious objects, and other artworks and historical items.

The institute was set up to study the language and traditions of Tibet and the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. It houses around 30,000 volumes, mostly xylographs (documents printed using wooden slabs). These include translations of Buddha's teachings and writings by Buddhist scholars worldwide. The museum at the institute displays rare antiques like statues, coins, and thangkas (scrolls with paintings).

It's one of the world's leading institutes for Tibetan language and culture research, with distinguished scholars on its faculty. The institute's library and museum are open to the public every day, including holidays and Sundays, with a small entry fee of Rs 2/-. The foundation stone was laid by the Dalai Lama in February 1957, and it was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in October 1958.