Lachen ‘Ngodub Choling’ Monastery is located about 28 kms from Tsunthang Sub Division Office. It was built in 1858 A.D. with 8 monks. This Gonpa was first a small hut by built by Lama Karchen Dorje Drak, who was a student of Jamyang Choki Rinzing who in turn was a disciple of Terdag Lingpa Of Tibet.The lama stayed in this Gonpa for three years and commissioned a clay statue of the 1000 handed Chenrezig for the Gonpa before returning to Tibet. Later, Gelong Gonpu from Solo Khombu, Nepal came here. He was a student of Lama Karchen Dorje Drak. During his stay the old hut was dismantled and replaced with a new mud structure in the Earth dog year. He also stayed for three years and returned to Nepal. During this period the Gonpa had 10 monks. During his stay the old hut was dismantled and replaced with a new

mud structure in the Earth dog year. He also stayed for three years and returned to Nepal. During this period the Gonpa had 10 monks. Later, a Lama called Ngawang Kunzang Rinchen, a resident of Namok village, near Phodang, used to visit this Gonpa during his pilgrimage to Tibet. During one of his visits, he was requested to take care of the Gonpa as there was no senior lama at that time. He agreed to stay there for three years and he completed the Gonpa. After his tenure was over, the devotees requested him to stay in the Gonpa for the rest of his life. Chogyal Thutop too backed the local people’s request. Thereafter, the Lama came to be known as Lachen Gomchen. He passed away in this Gonpa in the ox year.
The number of monks in the Gonpa increased with time. It was fully reconstructed in the year 1977 with financial assistance from State Government. Now it is one of the major recognized monasteries in northern Sikkim.
Some interesting Artifacts of the Gonpa:

(i)	A small Casket containing a flat stone bearing the amazing footprint of the Kham Gomchen who stayed at Thangu Gonpa.
(ii)	A stone shaped like a ‘Tshebum’ or vase of longivity, kept at the Altar.

It is said that one day when the third Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche was meditating at Deuthang hermitage he told his pupil lama Samdup that he would find some thing floating down the river flowing nearby, the next day and he should bring it to the hermitage. Early next morning he went down to the river and started looking around. About midday he saw a stone shaped like vase floating down the river. He grabbed it and took it to his master. The master said that it is a Ter (religious artifact) and directred him to keep it in the Gonpa. Presently this Gonpa has 35 monkls and follows the Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.The monastery performs all the major ceremonies with annual mask dance. Today the monastery functions under the guidance of His Eminent Lachen Gomchhen Rinpoche.