|  With
a total of about 250 monasteries, the culture of Sikkim is
closely linked to Tibetan Buddhism. Monasteries form an integral
part of Sikkim. Most monasteries belong to the Nyingmapa Sect
or the Kargyupa Sect.
Rumtek Monastery: The largest
monastery in the Eastern Himalaya, built by the Gyalwa Karmapa
in strict accordance with the traditional designs of the Kagyurpa
monastery in Tibet. Rumtek is the seat of Kagyu order of Tibetan
Buddhism. This magnificent gompa is only 24 km from Gangtok.
A fifteen minute walk downhill takes to the old monastery
which was originally built in 1730 by the ninth Karmapa but
was destroyed by fire and had to be reconstructed to the present
state.
Pemayangtse Monastery:
Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. This
is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Sikkim.
Founded in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa
sect. The three storied building of the monastery houses a
good collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the third
floor of the monastery, there is a seven-tiered painted wooden
model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows,
angels and the whole panoply of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.
In January/ February every year, a religious dance called
'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.
Enchey Monastery: The name
of this 200 year old monastery means the Solitary temple.
The monastery is famous for the mask dance called 'Cham' performed
in the month of January.
Dodrul Chorten: This chorten
in Gangtok was built in 1945-46, in accordance with a prophecy.
Placed inside the Chorten are complete mandala set of Dorji
Phurpa (Bajra Kilaya), one set of Ka-gyur holy Books, relics,
complete 'zung'(mantras) and other religious objects.
 Phensang
Monastery: This monastery in North Sikkim was built
in 1721. In 1947 it was completely gutted by fire and was
rebuilt in 1948. There are around 300 monks in the monastery
and the main annual function of the monastery is on the 28th
& 29th days of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar
which roughly falls in the month of December/ January.
Phodang Monastery: This
monastery is just 28km from Gangtok. It was built by the Chogyal
Gyurmed Namgyal sometime in the first quarter of eighteenth
century. The original monastery has been rebuilt and is today
one of the most beautiful in Sikkim. It possesses some beautiful
old mural paintings and has around 260 monks. The main annual
festival is performed on the 28th & 29th days of the tenth
month of the Tibetan calendar.
Labrang Monastery: About
half a kilometer uphill from Phodang Monastery is the Labrang
monastery. Built towards the end of nineteenth century, this
monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect. Just below the road
between the Phodang and Labrang Monastery are the ruins of
Tumlong, the third capital of Sikkim.
Tashiding Monastery: About
40km from Gyalshing (West Sikkim), via Legship is this important
monastery belonging to the Nyingmapa order. It was built during
the 17th century on the top of a hill that looms up between
the Rathong River and the Rangit River.
Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery:
This monastery is situated on the Rumtek - Ranka - Gangtok
road at Lingdum; about 45 minutes drive from Gangtok. The
complex is a fine example of Tibetan monastic architecture.
 Tsuk-La-Khang
Monastery: This monastery is located in the Royal
Palace premises near the Ridge Park in Gangtok. It is two
storied and was used during royal function like weddings and
coronations.
Ralong Monastery: This
monastery belongs to the Karma Kagyu order and was rebuilt
by the government between 1975 and 81. The monastery has around
100 monks.
Sinon Monastery: Sinon means 'the suppressor of intense fear'.
The monastery was built in 1716 and is located about 10km
from Tashiding on a hill top.
Sanga Chelling Monastery:
Sanga chelling means 'the island of esoteric teaching'. This
monastery was built in 1697 and is situated about 7km from
Pemayangtse. It is about 45 minutes walk from Pelling and
is the second oldest monastery of Sikkim.
Dubdi Monastery: This
monastery the name of which means 'the retreat' was built
in the 17th century. It is located near Yuksum on a hill top.
Kewzing Monastery: This
monastery is located near Kewzing in South Sikkim. It was
built during the reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal.
Dalling Monastery: Dalling
means 'the thunderbolt'. This monastery was built in 1840
and is situated near Kewzing.
Yangyang Monastery: Yangyang
means 'the ridge of fortune'. This monastery was built in
1840 and is situated at Yangyang, 10km downhill from Rabongla.
 Namchi
Monastery: This monastery is located in Namchi, the
district headquarters of south district and was constructed
during the reign of Chogyal Gurmed Namgyal.
Chawang Ani Monastery:
This monastery is located near Phensang which is on the highway
between Gangtok and Mangan. It was built during the reign
of Chogyal Tshudphud Namgyal.
Khatok Monastery: This
monastery is located in East Sikkim near Pakyong. The present
structure of the monastery was built during the reign of Chogyal
Thutob Namgyal.
Bermoik Monastery: This
monastery was constructed in 1952 and follows the Nyingma
sect of Buddhism. It is situated in South Sikkim above Singtam.
Lachen Monastery: This
monastery in North Sikkim was built in 1806.
Lachung Monastery: This
monastery in North Sikkim was built in 1880.
Sang Monastery: This monastery
is situated near Rumtek and was built in 1912.
Simik Monastery: This monastery
is situated near the Singtam town.
Khechepalri Monastery:
located just above the famous khechepalri lake near Yuksum.
Melli Monastery: located
near Yuksum.
Rhenock Monastery: about
63km from Gangtok. |
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