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Phodong monastery-a Unique Labrang Monastery

Written by Sudhir Kumar

About Phodong monastery

Phodong Monastery (or Phodang) is a Buddhist monastery in Sikkim, India. It is located 28 kilometres from Gangtok. It was built in the early 18th century but an older monastery had pre-existed the current one.

9th Karmapa was invited by the king of Sikkim, where he founded three monasteries : Rumtek, the most important monastery of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism,[citation needed] Phodong and Ralang Monastery .

It was reconstructed by Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal[3], who was recognized as the reincarnation of his uncle, Sidkeong Namgyal, the abbot of the monastery. The line was to be continued by Palden Thondup Namgyal

The monastery has a residence of approximately 260 monks and has a numerous collection of some ancient murals.

Phodong Monastery is situated in the northern part of the state of Sikkim. It lies at a distance of approximately 28 km from the capital city of Gangtok. One of the six most important monasteries of Sikkim, Phodong dates back to the early 18th century. However, the monastery that we see today is not the original one and was rebuilt. Presently, it boasts of being one of the most beautiful monasteries in the state and serves as the residence of approximately 260 monks.

The monastery also has a rich collection of some ancient murals. The annual festival at Phodang Gompa of India takes place on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan Calendar (usually December). The celebrations of the festival include the performance of religious dances by the monks.

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Sudhir Kumar

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