Sudhir Kumar

Sanga Choeling Monastery-the famous Pemayangtse Monastery

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About Sanga Choeling Monastery

This monastery is situated on a ridge above Pelling and the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. Built in 1697 AD, it is considered to be the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. In order to reach this Monastery one has to be prepared to spend at least 40 minutes walking up the steep hilly slope which leads through rich forest covers.

History

The Sanga Choeling Monastery, also spelt Sange Choeling Monastery, established in the 17th century by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, is one of the oldest monasteries in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. The literal meaning of Sanga Choeling is the “island of esoteric teaching”. The Monastery is located on a ridge top above Pelling at a distance of 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Pemayangtse Monastery and is accessed by walking the steep hilly track of 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), which traverses through rich forest cover.

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Rabdentse Ruins Famous and Beautiful Place

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About The Rabdentse Ruins

This was the second capital of the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksom and till the year 1814 AD, the Kings of Sikkim had ruled the State from this place. Today, the ruins lie hidden from the main road at a walking distance from the Pemayangtse Monastery. The scenic view from the top of the ruins scanning across the deep valley to the mystic heights of Khangchendzonga ranges is something to be cherished and etched in memory.

History

 

 

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Famous and Oldest Pemayangtse Monastery of Sikkim

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Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the State. Originally established by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal ( Religious Monarch) of Sikkim. This ancient monastery belongs to the Nyingma Buddhism and has been considered as one of the premier monasteries in the State, having been entrusted with the task to perform all religious functions of the erstwhile monarch. The Monastery, located on a hill top at an altitude of 6840 ft. commands a magnificent panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding hills and country-side.

History

The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Pemayangtse, near Pelling in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, located 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Gangtok.[1] Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705, it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim. It is not only one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim but also the most famous in west Sikkim. Originally built by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century, as a small Lhakhang, it was subsequently enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal who was considered as Lhatsun Chenpo’s third reincarnate, Jigme Pawo. The monastery follows the Nyingma Order of Tibet Buddhism and controls all other monasteries of that Order in Sikkim. The monks of this monastery are normally chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim.

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Sikkim Famous Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre (Rumtek Monastery)

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History

Originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in 16th century, at the same time as Phodong Monastery and Ralang Monastery, Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. But when the 16th Karmapa arrived in Sikkim in 1959, after fleeing Tibet, the monastery was in ruins. Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek. To him, the site possessed many auspicious qualities and was surrounded by the most favorable attributes. For example, flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front, and a river below. With the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the Indian government, it was built by the 16th Karmapa as his main seat in exile.

After four years, construction of the monastery was completed. The sacred items and relics brought out from Tsurphu Monastery, the Karmapa’s seat in Tibet, were installed. On Tibetan New Year’s Day (Losar) in 1966 the 16th Karmapa officially inaugurated the new seat called, “The Dharmachakra Centre, a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa.”

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Beautiful Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa) of Sikkim

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The major tourist spot of Sikkim is Gangtok, the capital city of the state. Religious places abound in Sikkim and the bulk of them forms the back bone of the tourist spots in Gangtok. In and around Gangtok there is Enchey Monastery, the Rumtek Monastery, Tsuk-La-Khang and obviously, Do-Drul Chorten. Regarded as the most important ‘stupa’ in Sikkim, Do-Drul Chorten was built by Trulshi Rimpoche way back in 1945. He was the head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1944, his Holiness, the Dud-Zom Rinpoche prophesied the establishment of such a monastery and Do-Drul Chorten of Sikkim stands in accordance to that.

The touch of aesthetic stamp makes the architecture inside the monastery immortal. There is a complete set of Dorji Phurpa, locally known as Bajra Kilaya. There is a set of Ka-gyur holy books, complete mantras(‘zung’ for the Buddhists) and various other relics and religious objects. The top of the Holy ‘stupa’ is topped with a gold shikhara. Around the ‘stupa’, there are 108 prayer wheels which the Sikkimese people call Mani-Lhokor. These wheels are rotated by the devotees and simultaneously chant the prayer ‘Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus’ to invoke the Bodhisattva.

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