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Sikkim Famous Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre (Rumtek Monastery)

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

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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Nature Beautiful Place-The Tsomgo Lake

About Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake Located at a height of 12400 ft, at a distance of 38 Km from Gangtok Tsongmo lake is 1 Km long. It takes 2 to 3 hours by road to reach this oval shape lake. Depth of Tsomgo lake is 15 meters. During winter seasons this Tsomgo lake remains frozen providing tourists lot of fun.

Changu Lake is open for both Indian and foreign tourist but permission is to be taken from local officials. Travel agents usually arrange the permit and are issued on the same day of the journey. Please keep two passpoert size photos of each adult member of the family and identity proof of the members. The road to this lake is maintained by a unit of Indian army. Total road passes through hills with sharp bends and bridges. This area is an ideal habitat of red panda and Yaks. Near the lake tourist can go for a Yak rid around the lake. In the peak summer seasons one can find snow in the hill surrounding the lake.

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Famous Enchey Monastery

About The Enchey Monastery

The Enchey Monastery was established in 1909 above Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim in the Northeastern Indian state. It belongs to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. The monastery built around the then small hamlet of Gangtok became a religious centre. The location was blessed by Lama Drupthob Karpo, a renowned exponent of tantric (adept) art inBuddhism with flying powers; initially a small Gompa was established by him after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim to this site. The literal meaning of Enchey Monastery is the “Solitary Monastery”. Its sacredness is attributed to the belief that Khangchendzonga and Yabdean – the protecting deities – reside in this monastery. As, according to a legend,Guru Padmasambhava had subdued the spirits of the Khangchendzonga, Yabdean and Mahākāla here. In view of this legend, the religious significance of Enchey Monastery is deeply ingrained in every household in Gangtok. It is also believed that these powerful deities always fulfil the wishes of the devotees.

History

It is believed that, Lama Drupthob Karpa had built a small hermitage at the site, where he reached after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim. Later during the reign of Sikyong Tulku (1909-1910), the present monastery was built in the shape of a Chinese Pagoda.

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