MONUMENTS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

There are three monuments of national importance in Sikkim which are located in
West District. These three monuments are under the direct administrative control of
the Archaeological Survey of India, Kolkata Circle. These monuments are well
maintained and protected under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains (Amended and Revalidation) Act 2010. Three monuments are as follows:
1.
Coronation
throne/Norbugang
Yuksom, West Sikkim:- The
1st King of the Namgyal
Dynesty Phuntsog Namgyal
was consecrated here in 1641
AD by the three saints,
Lhatsun Chenpo, Nagadak
Senpa Chenpo and Karthok
Rigzing
Chenpo.
Yuksom
st
meaning the 1
place of
meeting of these great lamas and became the first capital of Sikkim.
2.
Dubdi
monastery:
belonging to the Ningmapa
sects of Buddhist lamayasim,
this
monastery
was
established in 1701 AD during
the time of the 3rd Chogyal
Chador Namgyal

3.
Rabdentse
Ruined
Palace, PELLING, WEST
SIKKIM (Second Capiatl):Rabdentse was the second
capital of Sikkim built by
Tensung
Namgyal,
the
second Chogyal of Sikkim
and
son
to
Phontsog
Namgyal who shifted the
capital Yuksom to Rabdentse
in the late 17th Century. The
ruins of this ancient capital,
surrounded by a rubble
fortification are scattered
over a conspicuous spur within a
thicky forested valley on the
south
West
of
Pemayangtse
Monastery.

STATE MONUMENTS
There are remains of two monuments viz: Budang Gadi, Central Pendam, East
Sikkim and Ondichi Palace Tumlong, North Sikkim which are presently being
restored by the Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department. The department has taken
measures for their conservation with the help of Archaeological Survey of India and
local conservation experts. These monuments have direct historical links with the
state of Sikkim and their associations are linked with Namgyal dynasty.

BUDANG GADI, CENTRAL PENDAM, EAST SIKKIM

Budang Gadi or the Budang Fort was constructed between 1700 to 1717 AD during
the reign of Chador Namgyal. Presently the fort is in ruins of which half portion of
the total ruined structures are restored by the Cultural Affairs & Heritage
Department in the year 2007-08.

ONGDICHI PALACE, TUMLONG, NORTH SIKKIM

(Before conservation)

(After conservation)

Ongdichi Palace at Labrang, Tumlong was built in the year 1814 by the 7 th Chogyal
Tsugphud Namgyal. This is the third capital of the Namgyal Dynasty after Tashitenka
and Rabdentse. Presently Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department is restoring the
ruin site with the help of ASI, Kolkat Circle and local conservation experts.

TRADITIONAL HOUSES OF SIKKIM

Traditional Houses found in Sikkim are part of vernacular architecture which were in
practice in Sikkim. Vernacular architecture is the popular architecture that is
practice by the people without the help of the architects it is evolved over
generation by the people and their artisans for their own use. It relies on materials
and skills that are available in the area.
Khim (Bhutia Traditional House):The house is designed rinchen surgay are
the eight sided layout or plan. The
external walls of the house is made up of
neatly dressed stone, the wooden
members of the house are fixed mortise
and tenon principal.

House of Naksuk Bhutia, Lindokh

Doo-Kye-Moo / Rong Lee (Lepcha

House):- The house is supported by life
size wooden pillars which are placed
above boulders, all the wooden members
of the house are set in mortise and tenon
principal without using nails. The
basement or plinth of the house is an
open space, the walls of the upper storey
are done in wattle and daub (ekra)a
timber
board
style.
House of Mingma Lepcha, Ranka

Gharo
Ghar
(Nepali
Traditional
house):- The house is built entirely on
stone walls plaster with mud from ground
to the attic. The house is of two storied
structure with an attic, the upper floor is
supported by wooden pillars which are
set in pices of log and bamboos. The
upper floor of the house is accessed by
wooden ladder, there are two or three
clerestory windows for lights. Front face
of the house have lattice window (aakhi jhyal) a place to get pep outside the house.
House of Ganesh Nepal, Tumin, Barang.