Tashiding Monastery

Sikkim is a state in northeast India. It is sandwiched between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north, Nepal to the west and Bhutan to the east. Sikkim is also bordered by the Indian state of West Bengal to the south. The state has a population of around six hundred thousand people, most of whom are of Nepali origin. The official language of Sikkim is Nepali. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok. The Tashiding Monastery is located in the town of Tashiding in the west of Sikkim. The monastery is a major pilgrimage centre for Buddhists and is said to be one of the most sacred places in Sikkim. The monastery is built on a hilltop and commands a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. The monastery is said to date back to the eighth century and is home to a number of Buddhist sculptures and paintings.