Do Drul Chorten
A large whitewashed stupa in Deorali built in 1945–46 by Trulshik Rinpoche, encircled by 108 prayer wheels.
Overview
Do Drul Chorten is a serene Buddhist stupa and one of the classic places to visit in Gangtok. Built in 1945–46 and circled by 108 prayer wheels, it sits a short walk from the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.
Do Drul Chorten (also spelled Do-drul or Dro-dul) is one of the most important stupas in Sikkim, located in the Deorali area of Gangtok just above the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It was built in 1945–46 by Trulshik Rinpoche, a senior master of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, who consecrated it by placing a complete set of Dorjee Phurba (Vajrakilaya) relics, holy texts and mantras inside its central chamber.
The white chorten has a square base, a rounded dome and a gilded spire, and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels inscribed with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. Devotees walk around it clockwise, turning each wheel. The surrounding complex includes smaller chortens and monastic buildings.
Incredible India lists visiting hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. No entry fee has been found in any source, but this is not officially confirmed. The site is compact and can be seen in 30–45 minutes, and it pairs naturally with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology a short walk away. Keep to the clockwise direction, dress modestly and avoid touching ritual objects.
Entry fees
Entry
All visitors
No entry fee found in any source; not officially confirmed
Free
Needs verification
No fee mentioned by Incredible India or other sources.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
- Mon – Sun
- 9 AM – 5 PM
Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Incredible India).
Days of closure, if any, not stated.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- Year-round; clear skies March–May and October–December
- Best time of day
- Morning
- How long to spend
- 30–45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Walk and spin prayer wheels clockwise
- Dress modestly
- Do not touch ritual objects
Location
Photos
Do Drul Chorten, Deorali, Gangtok. Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Do Drul Chorten, Deorali, Gangtok. Photo: Subhrajyoti07 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Monks at the prayer wheels. Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 The butter lamp house. Photo: Anjan Kumar Kundu / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
Who built Do Drul Chorten?
Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order, built it in 1945–46.
What are the timings?
Incredible India lists 9 AM to 5 PM.
How many prayer wheels are there?
The stupa is surrounded by 108 prayer wheels.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 28 September 2026
Not yet confirmed
- free entry
Not available yet
- official monument page
- Incredible India – Do Drul Chorten · Tourism board
- Wikipedia – Do-drul Chorten · Encyclopedia
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