Yuksom

Yuksom is one of the most historically important places in Sikkim, remembered as the first capital of the old Kingdom of Sikkim. Its name is widely associated with the origin story of the Sikkimese monarchy and the early spread of Tibetan Buddhism in the region.

Before the rise of a formal kingdom, the wider area was shaped by indigenous communities—especially the Lepchas—who lived close to forests and mountain rivers and maintained deep spiritual connections with the landscape. Over time, groups with Tibetan cultural influence, including the Bhutias, strengthened Buddhist traditions across West Sikkim. These layers of culture created the foundation for a new political order that would emerge in the 17th century.

The defining event in Yuksom’s history occurred in 1642, when Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned as the first Chogyal (king), marking the establishment of the Namgyal dynasty. The coronation site is still commemorated through the Norbugang Coronation Throne and associated sacred structures such as the Norbugang chorten, making Yuksom a living historical landscape rather than only a place name in textbooks.

After the monarchy’s establishment, Yuksom also became important in Sikkim’s religious history. The town is linked to early Buddhist institutions and pilgrimage traditions, including the founding of Dubdi Monastery in 1701—often cited as among the oldest monasteries in Sikkim and associated with the Nyingma tradition. Over the centuries, the monastery and nearby sacred sites helped shape a regional pilgrimage circuit that connects Yuksom with other spiritual landmarks of West Sikkim.

In the modern era, Yuksom’s identity expanded beyond royal and religious history. Its location at the edge of high mountain wilderness made it a key gateway for journeys into the Khangchendzonga National Park, a landscape revered for both natural grandeur and cultural meaning. The park was later recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site (a “mixed” site for natural and cultural values), highlighting how the mountains, lakes, and glaciers are tied to living traditions in Sikkim.

Today, Yuksom is often described as a “heritage village” of Sikkim: a place where early state formation, Buddhist legacy, and Himalayan ecology meet. Its coronation site, monastic history, and role as a trailhead together keep its past visible in everyday life—through local rituals, visiting pilgrims, and travellers who come to experience both the story of Sikkim’s beginnings and the sacred landscape that surrounds it.