Located just a half a kilo meter away from Dharma Chakra Centre is the original Rumtek Monastery, which was founded by fourth Chhogyal Gyurmed Namgyal in 1734 A.D. and is regarded as one of the major Kagyupa monasteries in East Sikkim. Its religious name is ‘Karma Thubten Chokhorling’. Before the establishment of the present Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, H. H the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa stayed in this monastery.

Karma Chokhor Thubten Ling is the original name of this monastery. However, among the devotees it is popularly known by the name of Old Rumtek Gonpa. The old structure was dismantled and new building has been constructed with funding from the Government. Lama dances are performed at this monastery on the 28th and 29th days of the tenth Tibetan month before Losoong or the Sikkimese New Year.