Above Yuksom
Sikkim's oldest surviving monastery stands an hour's climb above the village where its first king was crowned. It has a single resident monk, and he opens the door if you send word.
Photo: Labun Hang Limboo
1701
Dubdi was founded in 1701, and its name means the retreat. It sits on a spur at 2,100 m (6,890 ft), above Yuksom at 1,780 m, where Sikkim's first Chogyal was crowned in 1642.
Photo: Arijit Dey / Pexels
The walk
The path climbs about 3 km through cardamom and oak, an hour at a steady pace. It is steep, and slippery in rain, so in a wet spell the plan changes to the coronation ground at Norbugang instead.
Photo: Arjis Kundu / Pexels
The building
Dubdi is two stories of stone under a gilded finial, with old manuscripts shelved in its side aisles. It stands on its spur above the forest, the oldest of Sikkim's monasteries still standing.
Photo: Soumyojit Sinha / Pexels
Inside
Inside are statues of the three lamas who crowned Sikkim's first king, and a green image of Lhatsun Chempo, the lama whose seat on the coronation throne at Norbugang was set higher than the king's.
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One monk
Because Dubdi has one resident monk, word goes to him the day before that you are coming, and he opens the hall for you. Inside, every visitor is welcome.
Photo: Soumyojit Sinha
For trekkers
Walkers bound for Goecha La climb to Dubdi the afternoon before the trail, while the guide learns their pace. If you arrive at the top talking in single words, say so that evening: pace is set now, not at Dzongri.
Photo: Bliss / Pexels
Who it suits
Anyone happy to climb for an hour should go up. Anyone who would rather not keeps the Norbugang garden in the village, on a short level path with the car close by, and loses nothing of the coronation story.
Photo: Unsplash