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Sikkim
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| Sikkim's
near about 200 monasteries or Gompas belonging to the
Nyingma and Kagyu order have not only
been influencing the cultural heritage and lifestyle
of the people, but also demonstrates the ancient rituals
in practice. |
| Devoted
Lamas robed in red, chant ancient mantras to the rhythm
of drums and trumpets while soft lights flicker from
decorative lamps placed before statues of the great
Guru Padmasambhava. Feel the peace and quiet
of being one with nature and close to the almighty as
sacred words mingle with the whirring prayer wheels. |
| The
Gompas are adorned with life-like frescoes of hoary
Buddhist legends, rare silk and brocade Thangkas.
Also preserved here, are ancient Tibetan manuscripts,
exquisitely carved wood work and icons of silver and
gold. |
Pemayangtse Monastery
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| Pemayangtse
is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing (140
Kms. from Gangtok) and commands an impressive
view of Mt. Kanchendzonga. It was originally
a small Lhekhang build by Lhatsun Chenpo in
the 17th century. Later during the rule of the
third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal, Lhatsun Chenpo's
third reincarnate jigme Pawo extended it and
rebuild the structure. This monastery belongs
to the Nyigma order and all other Nyigma order
monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it.
The monks of Pemayangtse are usually from the
leading Bhutia families in Sikkim. There are
108 monks in this monastery. |
| The
monastery houses numerous religious idols and
other objects of worship, most of which are
precious because of their antiquity. On the
top floor of the monastery there is a wooden
sculpture depicting the Maha Gurus Heavenly
Palace "Sanghthokpalri". This master
piece was completed by the late Dungzin Rimpoche,
who took five years to craft it single handed.
The main festival of the monastery is on the
28th & 29th day of the 12th month of the
Tibetan calender, normally corressponding to
the month of february. During these two days
religious dances are performed and pilgrims
come from all over Sikkim to watch them. |
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Tashiding Monastery
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| This
is another important monastery belonging to
the Nyingmapa order and is about 40 Kms. from
Gyalshing by road via Legship (West Sikkim).
It lies nestled on the top of a hill that looms
up between the Rathong river and the Rangit
river and is surrounded by a profusion of Prayer
flags that flutter in the air. There are also
many chortans dedicated to some Chogyals and
some religious personalities of Sikkim. Carved
skillfully on stone plates surrounding th emonastery
are holly Buddhist mantras like "Om Mane
Padme Hum" by the master crafts man Yanchong
Lodil. The monastery was built in 1717 by Ngadak
Sempa Chembo during the reign of the third Chogyal
Chakdor Namgyal. The sacred ceremony of Bumchu
is held here at midnight of the 14th & 15th
of the first Tibetan month. There is a bus service
from Gyalshing to Tashiding. Atrekkers hut is
available for the tourist at Tashiding. |
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Phodong Monastery
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| This
monastery is in North Sikkim 28 kms. from Gangtok.
The original monastery has been rebuilt and
is today one of the most beautiful monasteries
in Sikkim. It possesses the old mural paintings
and has around 260 monks. Like the Ralong and
Rumtek the main annual Puja is performed on
the 28th & 29th days of the tenth month
of the Tibetan Calender when the religious dances
are performed. |
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Dubdi Monastery
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| Dubdi
means 'the retreat' and this monastery
was built in 1700. It is located near Yuksum
on a hill top. One has to travel by foot
to reach it. |
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Khatok Monastery
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| This
monastery is located in East Sikkim near Pakyong.
The present structure of the monastery was built
during the reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal. |
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Enchey Monastery |
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important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey
Monastery is built on the site blessed by Lama
Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his
power of flying. This 200 year old monastery
has in its premises images of Gods, Goddesses
and other religious objects. Every year around
January "Chaam" or religious masked
dance is performed. |
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Sinon Monastery
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| Sinon
means 'the suppressor of intense fear'.
The monastery was built in 1716 and is located
about 10 kms. from Tashiding on a hill
top. |
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Phensang Monastery
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| This
monastery in North Sikkim was built in 1721
during the time of Jigme Pawo. In 1947 it was
completely gutted by a devastating fire. However
it was rebuilt in 1948 thangs largely to the
devotion of the Lamas and the unstinted spot
of the laity. There are around 300 monks under
the monastery and the main annual function in
the monastery is on the 28th & 29th days
of the tenth month of the Tibetan Calender which
normally corresponds to the month of December. |
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Yangyang Monastery
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| Yangyang
means 'the ridge of fortune'. This monastery
was built in 1840 and is situated at a place
called Yangyang 10 kms. downhill from
Rabongla. |
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Namchi Monastery
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| This
monastery is located in Namchi, the district
headquarters of south district and was constructed
during the reign of Chogyal Gurmed Namgyal. |
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Rumtek Monastery
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| About
45 minutes drive from Gangtok, 24 kms.
away, is the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center,
the seat of the Kagyu order, one of the
4 major Tibetan Buddhist sects. Since
the late 1960's, after the arrival of His
Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa,
the center houses some of the world's most unique
religious scriptures and religious art objects.
Traditional in design, it is almost a replica
of the original Kagyu headquarters in
Tibet. Rumtek monastery, a must for every
visitor, where one can find some of the worlds
most unique art objects , this place is the
seat of the Kagyu order -- a close replica
of the original Kagyu in Tibet. |
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About
2 kms. away from Dharma Chakra Center
is the rebuilt 300 year old Rumtek monastery
which was originally built by the fourth
Chogyal. His Holiness late Gyalwa Karmapa
lived in this monastery till the completion
of the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center. The
annual dances are held here on the 28th &
29th day of the Tenth month of the lunar calendar.
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