#RinchenpongMonastery is situated above the twin villages of #Rinchenpong (#Richenpong) and #Kaluk in #WestSikkim, at a height of over 1,700 metres (5,500 ft) in the northeastern state of Sikkim, India. This 18th century monastery is a popular tourist attraction in West Sikkim. Location - On a hill above Rinchenpong town Rinchenpong Monastery is situated at the giddying height of 5,500ft. The third oldest monastery in Sikkim is perched on a mountain trail and offers a brilliant view of the Kanchenjunga. Besides the picturesque location, this gompa has a statue one doesn’t find in most other monasteries- Ati Buddha seated in the Yab-Yum position. For nearly three centuries, this monastery has been part of Rinchenpong village and if you want to cover the heritage circuit of Sikkim, there’s no way you can skip this one. Everywhere in Sikkim, the beauty of a monastery is somehow heightened by the village. Rinchenpong is a quaint little hamlet above which sits the gompa. Geographically well-endowed, this village offers a stupendous view of the Kanchenjunga and other mountains of the Himalayan range. As one takes the trail that leads up to the gompa, bounded by towering prayer flags flapping in the wind, one understands the perfect union of ancient structures and nature in Sikkim. Rinchenpong Monastery was established in 1730 by the Ngadakpa Lama in the village of Rinchenpong. It is the 3rd oldest monastery in Sikkim, starting with around 98 lamas. The monastery houses a rare Ati Buddha (Adi-Buddha) statue in the Yab-Yum position. Ati Buddha, also termed as The Primordial Buddha is said to be the true Buddha, symbolically represented as a naked Buddha in blue. In the Yab-Yum position, the Buddha is shown meditating while embracing a woman. In Buddhism it signifies the power of union of the male and female. Rinchenpong Monastery is popular with tourists visiting West Sikkim for its scenic beauty and singular Buddha statue. It is situated on a mountain trail above the village of Rinchenpong. The villages of Kaluk and Rinchenpong are at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,500 ft) and about 5 hours by road from Siliguri.