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The Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang, is within the palace grounds.
Popularly called Tsulakhang Royal. It is the principal place of worship
and assembly and the repository of a vast collection of Buddhist
scriptures. A magnificent portal breaks the starkness of its great façade,
at each corner of the building, is a wood sculpture in relief, the
formidable head of a snow lion.
Resplendent Buddhist murals span the stoutly ornate wood of the wall,
while the eternal butter lamp burns before the floor ceiling altar; the
fragrant Juniper incense that pervades the chapel air heightens the air of
peace and calm.
Venue Of Celebration
Here are performed the important religious ceremonies of the "Kagey
Thuetor" - the worship of the snowy range and the "Gungsar"
celebrations of the Tibetan New Year. A venue of state ceremonies of
national importance, it is here that the kings of Sikkim have been
crowned, their children married and their councilors sworn in. Mahayana
Buddhism is the state religion of Sikkim; the
predominant Nepalese are Hindus.
