[2] Located at a distance of 95 kilometres (59 mi) from the state capital Gangtok, the Indian Army has a major forward base with a medical centre in Chungthang.

Chungthang Valley is believed to be a holy place which has been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim.

The nature defying miracle is believed to be the blessing of Guru Padmasambhava who sprinkled a handful of grain on the spot that has sprouted paddy ever since.

[4] As per Denjong Nye-Yig (The Pilgrim's Guide to The Hidden Land of Sikkim, by Jigme Pawo, reincarnation of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo) the name of the north Sikkim located settlement of Chungthang or Tsunthang, as is the actual pronunciation, is derived from the word 'Tsemo Rinchen Thang' meaning 'top precious plain'.

This place is revered by Buddhists for its sacred rock, known as 'Lhedo' or 'Neydo', which was blessed and bears body imprints and footprints of Guru Padmasambhava/Guru Rinpoche.

It is further believed that Guru Rinpoche personally consecrated the site, where later, Lepcha Buddhists built a monastery in 1788 AD and named it as Tsunthang Ridgzin Choeling Gonpa.

[5] With growing Chinese influences on local Sikkimese people and influx of number of Tibetans into many areas of Sikkim, many Buddhist monasteries have sprouted supported by local Self Government (Dzumsa) and some even by converting a Sikh Gurdwara at Dongmar at the bank of Gurudongmar Lake[6] which was built at instance of Indian army recognising history of Guru Nanak's visit there and existed there since 2002.