11. Rumtek Monastery (རུམ་ཐེག་དགོན་པ་)

Gangtok, Sikkim* (August 2012)

These monks are debating in the tradition style. Built in the 16th century, Rumtek is one of the most important sites in Tibetan Buddhism; unfortunately, it is currently highly controversial and Indian soldiers with rifles roam all around the grounds.

*Sikkim was once a kingdom and is now a special state of India that requires tourists to obtain a separate visa in addition to the India visa.