Samdruptse
Samdruptse things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A visit to Samdruptse Hill is inevitable if you’re visiting Namchi for it is on top of this mountain that the world’s tallest statue of Guru Padmasambhava is perched. Towering at a height of 148 feet and surrounded by emerald forests, you will be able to spot this magnificent gilded statue of Sikkim’s guardian saint from miles away. As you walk uphill towards the statue sitting on a lotus-shaped pedestal, your eyes will meet the piercing gaze of Padmasambhava which make him resemble a wrathful deity. In fact, the wide-open eyes represent a form of meditation practiced by him—a symbol of the highest form of awareness. A marvelous amalgamation of art and engineering, the giant idol, commissioned by the government of Sikkim, took seven long years to complete. In fact, the foundation stone was laid down by the Dalai Lama himself. The base of the statue has an archive with a vintage collection of photographs of Sikkim. It also has a small prayer room. Take a cable car ride from the car park to the nearby rock garden for some glorious views of Namchi and its surrounding hills. You can also see Char Dham, another popular tourist spot with a giant Shiva statue from here. If you’re the adventurous kind, there is a scenic trekking route from here to Maenam Hill and Tedong Hill. Samdruptse Hill is located about 7 km away from Namchi, the district headquarters of South Sikkim. There are plenty of local taxis that ply to Samdruptse available from Namchi. The complex is open to visitors everyday between 9 am to 5 pm. Anytime between March to June and September to November is a good time to visit this area of Sikkim. Padmasambhava, after Gautama Buddha, is the most revered saint in the Mahayana school, the most widely practiced form of Buddhism across the Himalayan region. He was a tantric yogi born in India sometime during the 8th century. His travels led him across the Himalayas via Sikkim to Tibet where he spread the tenets of Buddhism through his teachings. Hundreds of legends and myths revolve around him, especially in Sikkim where he is popularly known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of the state. Many locals believe that the Samdrupste Hill is a dormant volcano and it can only be kept from exploding through extensive prayers. Buddist monks from neighbouring monasteries as well as locals often visit the hill to offer prayers. Samdrupste is also known as the ‘wish-fulfilling’ hill. Since the hill is located at a height of more than 7000 ft, it can get chilly on a coudy day, especially in the evenings. Make sure you carry adequate warm clothes.
Anwesha Neogy
00
High above Namchi on the Samdruptse ("wish fulfilling") hilltop sits Sikkim's patron saint, Padmasambhava (aka Guru Rimpoche). The giant gilt and copper-painted statue (45 metres high) on its lotus plinth shimmers in the sun and catches the eye from afar as one drives along. It is just 7 km away from Namchi and is at an altitude of about 7,000 feet. The shape of the hill adds to the local belief that it is a dormant volcano, kept from erupting by the regular prayers offered by the monks. You could see a flight of steps rising to the summit (behind the statue) where the monks make their offerings. This, again, was a government-funded project, the foundation stone for which was laid by the Dalai Lama in 1977. The concept is grand and the engineering is praiseworthy. It took seven years for the project to be completed. Beautiful mountain vistas surround the hill, with Mt Kanchenjunga occupying pride of place. The ground floor houses a collection of historical photographs of Sikkim, including the fading photos of Mahatma Gandhi, more attuned to the tastes of history buffs. The scale of the monument and its serene atmosphere are sure to touch the hearts of visitors. Another place of interest near the town of Namchi is the ancient Ngadak ("promise") Monastery which exudes charm and spirituality. What is unique is that a visitor here has to make a promise to return again to the monastery-- surely something that one is likely to wish for when one experiences first-hand the spiritual peace that pervades the place. Unfortunately time constraints did not give us an opportunity to visit.
Unnikrishnan Panickar. K
00
Samdruptse or commonly referred as the 'Wish Fulfilling Hill' is just about 5 kilometres from the main town of Namchi, South Sikkim and is situated at an altitude of 7000 feet. This epic hill is ornamented with a giant statue of the Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) who was the patron saint of Sikkim and who has been showering its blessings since more than 1,200 years. The locals believe that the hill is actually a dormant volcano. The Buddhists lamas have been regularly offering prayers so that the volcano does not erupt. It has stayed calm so far. Buddhist prayer flags flutter on one side of the pathway. It is advised to take off your shoes before you climb the flight of steps to reach the upper platform. Samdruptse is a 45 m tall statue, overlooking the whole town and the face is coated with gold that glitter in the sun. The statue is an incredible triumph of engineering, that took around 7 years for its construction under the sponsorship of the Sikkim State Government. The foundation stone for the statue was laid by Dalai Lama in the year 1997. The best time to visit this place is from February to May and September to mid December, when the weather is pleasing and the views are soul fulfilling. It is a must visit while you are in Sikkim.
Vivek
00
Enroute Namchi to Ravangla we visited Samdruptse Monastry. It is located on Samdrupse Hill. For entering into the monastry, there is entry charges of Rs. 50 per head. Outside monastry gate, one can enjoy a ride of cable car for going to the garden or Namchi market. There are also few souvenior shops and local food outlets located outside the gate. After entering into the campus, you will see various coloured Tashis are welcoming you with a mystic backgroud music. No wonder this will have long lasting relaxing effect on your mind. The centre of attraction of this place is the 135ft high status of Guru Padmasambhava. Guru Padmasambhava introduced the people of Tibet to the practice of Tantric Buddhism. You will have to remove your shoes to climb up to the top. From the backside of the statue, there is stairs to go to the top. View from the top is breathtaking and on a clear sunny day, you can even witness the Shiva Statue of Char Dham from here. There is a souveneir shop located at the down of the statue but I found the prices of the products a bit expensive.
Prajna Paul
00
Wonderful place to be visited once. Visible for miles, this 45m-high statue of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) is painted in shimmering copper and gilt and sits on a lotus plinth high above Namchi on the forested Samdruptse ridge. Completed in 2004 on a foundation stone laid in 1997 by the Dalai Lama, the statue turns his back on a superlative view of the Khangchendzonga Massif, which is best seen from beside his right haunch. Around the base are some fading historical photos of old Sikkim and within is a prayer room. From the car park, a 15-minute cable car excursion takes you down to a rock garden and back. Samdruptse is 7km from Namchi, 2km off the Damthang/Ravangla road. Taxis from town charge ₹330 return. Or pay ₹930 to charter a one-way to Ravangla with a Samdruptse side trip en route. Near by place : Char Dham 30min drive from here.
Amit Ginani
00
Once you get there, a short uphill walk on a paved road amidst a forested area takes you to a giant statue of the great Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche. He was a scholar, magician, master and an object of veneration. Besides an up-close view of the statue, you can enter the temple premises to look at several Buddhist deities/masters, including Guru Rinpoche. It's a good place to spend in silence or meditation briefly before looking around and soaking in the surrounding views as Samdruptse is situated high atop a mountain. There are some information boards on walls that provide some key Buddhist knowledge. All in all, a great place. There's a store too where you can pick up souvenirs, with a couple more options near the parking area and a couple of restaurants if you happen to be hungry.
Karan Kamble
00
Nearby Attractions Of Samdruptse
Namchi Rock Garden
Namchi Rock Garden
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