The Buddha statue at Ravangla's Buddha Park, also called Tathagata Tsal, stands about 130 feet high and was consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama in March 2013 to mark the 2,550th anniversary of the Buddha's birth.
Source: Buddha Park of Ravangla
Town in Sikkim
Ravangla
A ridge town with a giant Buddha and Sikkim's only tea garden
Ravangla is a small town at about 2,100 m in South Sikkim, on the ridge between Gangtok and Pelling. It is known for Buddha Park, with a 130-foot statue of the Buddha consecrated in 2013, Ralang monastery and nearby Temi, Sikkim's only tea estate. Plan one or two nights as a stop on the west Sikkim loop.
Photo: Devsutapabublu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsRavangla sits on a saddle below Maenam hill, a cluster of hotels, shops and monasteries along the road that links South and West Sikkim. It is cooler and quieter than Gangtok, with long views west to Kangchenjunga on clear mornings and a steady flow of monks and pilgrims between its gompas.
Its best-known sight is Buddha Park, or Tathagata Tsal, just outside town. A 130-foot statue of the Buddha stands on a platform above landscaped gardens and a pilgrimage path, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 2013 to mark the 2,550th anniversary of the Buddha's birth. Nearby, Ralang monastery and the Kagyu monastic institute below it are important centres for the Pang Lhabsol and Kagyed dances.
Ravangla is also the base for Maenam hill and the wildlife sanctuary around it, and for Temi tea garden on the slopes of Tendong hill, about 20 km away. Most travellers stop here for a night on the way between Gangtok and Pelling, but two nights give time for the tea garden and a walk.
Say it like a local · Pali / SanskritTathagata
one who has thus gone, a title of the Buddha that gives Buddha Park its name, Tathagata Tsal
What to do in Ravangla
Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal)
A 130-foot statue of the Buddha on a ridge just outside Ravangla, consecrated in 2013, with landscaped gardens, a museum and a circular pilgrimage path. Early morning light and Kangchenjunga in the background make it the town's main sight.
Ralang monastery
About 13 km from Ravangla, Ralang holds an old Kagyu monastery and the newer Palchen Choeling monastic institute, a large complex known for its masked dances during Pang Lhabsol and other festivals.
Temi tea garden
Sikkim's only tea estate, established in 1969, covers the slopes of Tendong hill about 20 km from Ravangla. Walk the tea terraces in the morning and buy a pack of Temi tea from the estate shop.
Maenam hill and sanctuary
Above Ravangla, Maenam hill rises to over 3,200 m within the Maenam wildlife sanctuary. A full-day trail climbs through forest to the summit for wide views; go with a local guide.
Sunrise from the ridge
On clear mornings from October to December, the ridge around Ravangla catches early light on Kangchenjunga and the western peaks. Many hotels face west for this view.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Ravangla
Temi tea garden, established by the Government of Sikkim in 1969, is the only tea estate in the state, and its tea is grown on the slopes of Tendong hill.
Source: Temi Tea Garden
Lepcha tradition holds that Tendong hill, above the Temi tea garden, rose to save the Lepcha people from a great flood, and the hill is honoured in an annual festival.
Source: Tendong Hill
Experiences
Three days worth having in Ravangla
Photo: Revant Singh Rathore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Ravangla · 2 hours
Buddha Park and the 130-foot statue
Walk the gardens and pilgrimage path of Buddha Park, or Tathagata Tsal, where a 130-foot statue of the Buddha stands on…
Entry ₹50–100
Photo: Subhrajyoti07 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Ravangla · Half day
A morning in Temi tea garden
Drive about 20 km from Ravangla to Temi, Sikkim's only tea estate, set up by the state government in 1969. Walk among t…
Taxi ₹1,500–2,500 return; free to walk
Photo: Joydeep · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Ravangla · Half day
Ralang monastery and its masked dances
Visit Ralang, about 13 km from Ravangla, home to an old Kagyu monastery and the large Palchen Choeling monastic institu…
Free; taxi ₹1,200–2,000 return
Real prices
What things cost in Ravangla
ItemIndicative 2026
Shared jeep seat, Gangtok–Ravangla₹200–350
Private taxi, Gangtok–Ravangla₹2,500–3,500 one way
Buddha Park entry₹50–100
Taxi to Temi tea garden and back₹1,500–2,500
Guide for Maenam hill trek₹1,500–2,500 per group
Pack of Temi tea₹200–600
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Ravangla
Road
Ravangla is about 65 km from Gangtok via Singtam and Damthang, 2.5–3 hours, and about 45 km from Pelling via Legship, 2–2.5 hours. Shared jeeps run from Gangtok, Namchi and Jorethang. Landslides are common in the monsoon; check current status before you travel.
Rail
New Jalpaiguri is the nearest major railway station, about 115 km away. Shared jeeps go from Siliguri to Jorethang or Namchi, then on to Ravangla.
Air
Bagdogra Airport is about 120 km away, 4.5–5 hours by road via Melli and Namchi or via Singtam.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Ravangla
Saver: small hotels and guesthouses along the main road charge about ₹1,200–2,500 for a double, often with simple meals. Comfort: a few resorts and larger hotels on the edges of town have west-facing rooms with views of Kangchenjunga; ask your agency for current picks. Ravangla has no luxury hotel; signature trips usually pass through for the day and stay in Pelling or Gangtok.
Trips that stop here
See Ravangla on a trip
Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
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Questions
Ravangla, answered
How far is Ravangla from Gangtok?
About 65 km via Singtam and Damthang, 2.5–3 hours by road. Shared jeeps run from Gangtok; a private taxi costs about ₹2,500–3,500.
How far is Ravangla from Pelling?
About 45 km via Legship, 2–2.5 hours. Many travellers stop at Ravangla on the way between Gangtok and Pelling.
What is the best time to visit Ravangla?
March to May and October to December. Spring brings flowers and clear mornings; autumn has the best mountain views. June to September is rainy and roads can close.
Is one night enough in Ravangla?
One night covers Buddha Park and Ralang monastery. Two nights let you add Temi tea garden, Maenam hill or a slower morning.
Do I need a permit for Ravangla?
Indian nationals do not need a permit. Foreign nationals need the Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, which covers Ravangla. Check current status before you travel.
Is Ravangla good for families?
Yes. Buddha Park has wide paths and gardens, the altitude of about 2,100 m is comfortable, and drives to Temi and Ralang are short.
Is there mobile network and ATM in Ravangla?
Yes, Ravangla has mobile coverage and at least one ATM, though it can run out. Carry some cash as a backup.
What is Ravangla famous for?
Buddha Park and its 130-foot statue, Ralang monastery and its masked dances, Temi tea garden nearby and the Maenam hill trek.
Can I see Kangchenjunga from Ravangla?
Yes, on clear mornings, especially from October to December. Ask for a west-facing room and set an alarm for sunrise.