Temple
of Sikkim
Hanuman
Tok:
Situated
about 5 km uphill from
White Hall on a bifurcation
road of the Gangtok-Nathula
Highway, is a temple
devoted to Hanuman,
a God worshipped by
the Hindus. On selected
points on the road to
the temple, breathtaking
views of Gangtok and
the adjoining rolling
hills can be seen.
From
the temple itself, the
snowy peaks of Khangchendzonga
present a panoramic
picture. One also gets
a birds eye view of
the Selep waterworks,
which supplies drinking
water to the Gangtok
town, a few hundred
feet in altitude below
Hanuman Tok. The temple
at Hanuman Tok is maintained
by a unit of the Indian
Army and can be found
to be spick and span.
A short
distance before the
stair case leading to
the Hanuman Temple is
the cremation ground
of the erstwhile royal
family of Sikkim. The
cremation ground has
stupas and chortens
each marking the place
where the mortal remains
of the departed souls
were consigned to the
flames.
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Ganesh
Tok
It
is a very small temple
dedicated to Lord Ganesh,
a diety worshipped by
Hindus. The temple is
so small in size that
it can hardly accommodate
one person and one has
to crawl to get inside
it. It is located on
the hill adjoining the
TV Tower. It is on a
hillock on Gangtok-Nathula
Road.
From
here you can get a panoramic
view
of Gangtok town and
the Raj Bhawan Complex
and on a clear day you
get a breathe taking
view of Mt. Khangchendzonga.
During
the tourist season,
a small cafeteria is
opened for the convenience
of the visitors. Just
adjoining the Ganesh
Tok is a pinetum garden
containing pine trees.
A walk on the footpath
amongst the pine trees
is refreshing. |
Monasteries
in Sikkim are of three
types :1. Tak-phu 2.
Gompa 3. Mani Lakhangs |
Tak-phu
Li
terally
meaning "rock-cave"
or cave hermitage. Although
there are many such
hermitages in Sikkim,
there are four which
are of special importance,
one in each direction.
The four are hallowed
as caves where Guru
Rinpoche and Lhatsun
Chhembo are said to
have halted and meditated.
These are:
Lha-ri
nying phu:
The north face of the
four, Lha-ri nying phu
is situated at a 3-day
trek precarious trek
from Tashiding, west
Sikkim. Not only is
this the most difficult
to reach, it is also
the holiest. Its name
means "the Old
Cave on God’s
Hill".
Kah-do
Sang phu: "The
Cave of the Occult Fairies"
is on the south gate
and one of the easiest
to reach. A five-minute
walk across a pedestrian
bamboo bridge from the
Jorethang-Gyalshing
highway just beyond
Reshi hot-springs takes
one to Kah-do Sang Phu
where one can find footprints
ascribed to fairies.
Pe-phu:
Placed between Tendong
and Maenam hills in
south Sikkim, Pe-phu
lies near Sangmoo Gumpa
about 5 kms from Ravangla,
south Sikkim, en route
to Singtam. A huge cavern,
believed to extend by
a bifurcation to both
Tendong and Maenam hill,
visitors can still walk
in about a quarter of
a mile. As low as five
feet at places, the
cave opens up to a towering
100 feet at some sections.
De-chhen
phu: "The
Cave of Happiness"
is accessible only in
autumn when the snow
that hides it, melts.
Distanced from Rimbi,
west Sikkim, by a 3-day
trek, it lies in the
snows above Dzongri.
|
Gompa
Monasteries
are almost always translated
as "Gompas".
This is, however, a
misinterpretation. Gompa
literally means "a
place of solitude",
a religious escape where
monks are trained in
the finer aspects of
Tibetan Buddhism practised
here. Most gompas in
Sikkim are found in
solitary places since
isolation from the world
has always been a important
for Buddhist learning;
not as an act of self-punishment,
but merely as an escape
from mundane temptations.
Monasteries
usually occupy commanding
and frequently picturesque
sites. A choice made
easy by the two conditions
laid in a guiding couplet
on where a monastery
should be built; "Back
to the hill-rock, And
front to the tarn".
A monastery, wherever
possible, should be
built on a ridge and
have a lake in front.
The
door of the assembly
room and temple should
preferably face eastwards.
South-east is the second
choice and then south.
A stream draining the
site is considered inauspicious
as monks believe that
this would drain away
all the virtue of the
place. If such a location
is unavoidable, then
the main door is made
to face another direction.
A waterfall, is, however,
considered a good omen
and if one is visible
from the monastery,
then the door is made
to face that direction.
The
monastic buildings cluster
around the main building
which is also used as
the Assembly Hall or
du-khang. Lining the
approaches to the monastery
are rows of prayer flags
and chortens. |
Mani
Lakhangs
These are
only temples and not also
schools like gompas. Normally
situated near villages,
these normally have only
a few monks ministering
to the religious needs
of the villagers. |
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Rumtek Monastery
Dharma
Chakra Centre, or Rumtek
Monastery, is one of
the most important seats
of the Kagyu lineage
outside Tibet. In the
early 1960's, His Holiness
the Sixteenth Gyalwang
Karmapa founded this
seat near the 300 year
old Kagyu monastery
built in the sixteenth
century by the Fourth
King of Sikkim under
the guidance of the
ninth Karmapa. The new
Rumtek monastery was
built about two kilometers
away from this old monastery.
Rumtek
became the International
Kagyu Headquarters during
the life of His Holiness,
from where lineage activities
manifested throughout
the world. It also became
the residence of a new
generation of Kagyu
masters, who are being
trained in a tradition
of study and meditation
practice which began
800 years ago.
Dharma
Chakra Center includes
a beautifully structured
main shrine temple and
monastery with monks'
quarters, where the
Karmapa resides and
where the most of the
important relics are
enshrined; a three-year
retreat center; a Shedra,
or monastic college,
where the relics of
the Sixteenth Karmapa
are enshrined; a nunnery;
stupas; a protector's
shrine; institutions
for the lay community;
and other establishments
|
Pemayangtse Monastery
Pemayangtse
is situated in Pelling,
West Sikkim and commands
an impressive view of
Mount Khangchendzonga.
It was originally a
small Lhakhang built
by Lhatsun Chempo in
the 17th Century. Later
during the rule of the
third Chogyal Chakdor
Namgyal,
Jigme Pawo, Lhatsun
Chenpo's third reincarnation
extended it and rebuilt
the structure. It is
perched at a height
of 2085 mts and is the
second oldest and perhaps
the most important monastery
in Sikkim. This monastery
belongs to the Nyigma
order and all other
Nyigma order monasteries
in Sikkim are subordinate
to it.
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 calendar,
normally corresponding
to the month of February.
During these two days
religious dances are
performed and pilgrims
come from all over Sikkim
to watch them. Dressed
in costumes of rare
magnificence, the Lamas
represent Mahakala and
Guru Drag-dmar. The
dance ends on the third
day with the unfurling
of the `Ghyo- ku' -
a gigantic embroidered
Buddhist scroll as the
devotees bend down in
homage |
Enchey Monastery
An
important seat of the
Nyingma order, the Enchey
Monastery meaning the
Solitary temple, was
originally built with
the solace that no other
construction would be
allowed near it is built
on the site blessed
by Lama Druptob Karpo,
a tantric master known
for his flying powers.
Lama Drupthob Karpo
is supposed to have
built a small hermitage
at the spot he reached
after he flew from Maenam
Hill in South Sikkim.
Later during the reign
of Sidyong Tulku 1909
- 1910 the present monastery
was built.
This
200 year old Monastery
has in its premises
images of god, goddesses
and other religious
objects. The present
monastery was built
in the shape of a Chinese
Pagoda. The monastery
follows the Nyingma
Order and has around
90 monks.
The
annual ritual is celebrated
with 'Chaam' or religious
masked dance on the
18th & 19th days
of the twelfth month
of the lunar calendar
around January |
Do-
Drul Chorten
Do
Drul Chorten at Dotapu
Chorten, Gangtok was
built under the supervision
of the late Most Venerable
Trulshi Rinpoche after
due prepartions in 1945-46,
in accordance with the
prophecy made in 1944
by his Holiness the
Dud-Zom Rinpoche. Placed
inside the Chorten are
a a complete mandala
set of Dorji Phurpa
(Bajra Kilaya), one
set of Ka-gyur holy
Books, relics, complete
'zung'(mantras) and
other religious objects.
This chorten is considered
to be one of the most
important chorten of
Sikkim. Around the chorten
108 Mani-Lhokor (Prayer
Wheels) are installed.
The Chorten is surrounded
by Chortne Lhakhang,
Guru Lhakhang, where
tow huge statues of
Guru Rinpoche (Guru
Padmasambahava ) are
installed, Drupda( Meditation
Centre), Nyingma Shede
(Institute of Nyingma
Higher Studies) and
many smaller monuments
including the 'kudung'
of the latter Most Venerable
Trulshi Rinpoche. The
Sikkim Research Institute
of Tibetology and other
Buddhist Studies (SRITOBS)
is located near the
Chorten. His Eminence
Dodrup Chen Rinpoche
of Sikkim has his seat
at the Chorten Lhakhang
and guides the disciples,
including the inmates
of the Drubda, in their
search for higher knowledge
and practice of the
tenets of the Nyingma
Order. |
Phensong
Monastery
This
monastery in North Sikkim
was built during the
time of Jigme Pawo.
Belonging to the Nyingmapa
order, this monastery,
first established in
1840, stands testimony
to the dedication of
its monks who reconstructed
the monastery within
a year after it was
burnt down in 1947.
The
monastery is situated
on a gentle slope stretching
fom Kabi to Phodong
in north Sikkim. There
are around 300 monks
under the monastery
and is famous for the
main annual Chaam (monk
dance) performed on
the 28th & 29th
days of the tenth month
of the Tibetan Calendar
which normally corresponds
to the month of December.
Its name translates
as "The excellent
Banner" or "Good
Bliss". |
Phodong
Monastery
This
monastery was built
by the Chogyal Gyurmed
Namgyal somewhere in
the first quarter of
the eighteenth century
in Phodong in North
Sikkim. It belongs to
the Kagyupa Sect and
it is said to be the
first Kagyupa monastery
to be set up in Sikkim.
It
is famous for its exquisitely
delicate mural painting
and frescoes. 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 monastery 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 |
Labrang
Monastery
Labrang
Monastery is situated
in North Sikkim, built
2 kms further up hill
from Phodong Monastery.
This is a much older
structure. It is also
unique in the sense
that unlike most monasteries
which were razed by
fires sometime or the
other, this one still
retains the original
structure. A pleasure
for the eyes given its
unique architecture,
it is also one of the
premier monasteries
of Sikkim.
The
location is a wide and
open meadow, ideal for
congregations. Dense
forests surround the
southern, western and
northern sides of the
compound. Gyalshe Rigzing
Chempa commissioned
Labrang Monastery in
1814, who then resided
in Wangdiche, a palace
in the vicinity. It
adheres to the Nyingmapa
School of Tibetan Buddhism
as this was the prevalent
school of monastery
and inception. Its name
literally means "the
Lamas dwelling".
It was consecrated to
the memory of Latsun
Chembo of Kongpu of
Tibet, who initiated
and propagated this
school of Buddhism in
Sikkim. Just below the
road between the Phodang
and Labrang Monastery
are the ruins of Tumlong,
the third capital of
Sikkim. |
Sa-Ngor-Chotshog
Centre
Located
on a beautiful hill
top it is a Tibetan
refugee monastic institution
established in 1961
by his Eminence Luding
Khen Rimpoche, Head
of Ngorpa, sub-sect
of the Sakya Order,
with the blessing of
H.H. Sakya Trizin and
H.H. the Dalai Lama.
This is the only monastery
of the Sakya Order of
Tibetan Buddhism in
Sikkim. |
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Tsuk-La-Khang
Monastery
The
royal chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang,
is located within the
Royal Palace premises
near the Ridge Park
in Gangtok. It is two
storied and is the principal
place of worship and
assembly and the repository
of a vast collection
of Buddhist scriptures.
A magnificent portal
breaks the starkness
great facade, at each
corner of the building,
is a wood sculpture
relief, the formidable
head of a snow lion.
Resplendent
Buddhist murals span
the stoutly ornate wood
of the wall, while the
eternal butter lamp
burns before the floor
ceiling altar; the air
of peace and calm is
heightened by the fragrant
juniper incense that
pervades chapel air.
Phang
Lhabsol and Losoong(
Tibetan New Year) Festivals
are celebrated in the
ground adjacent to the
monastery once every
year with the performance
of the Chaams or the
masked dance. A venue
of ceremonies of national
importance in the olden
days, it was here that
the kings of Sikkim
have been coronated,
their children married
and their council sworn
in.
A
beautiful and impressive
building which is the
principal place of worship
and assembly for Buddhists.
This royal chapel is
repository of a large
collection of Buddhist
scriptures. Interiors
of this building is
covered with murals
and lavishly decorated
altars holding images
of the Buddha, Bodhisattva
and tantric deities.
The chapel is the site
of many festivals and
the most interesting
of them being one dedicated
to the God of Khangchendzonga.
The other important
festival is the celebration
of New Year, when the
famous Black Hat dance
is performed demonstrating
the triumph of good
over evil. |
Sanga
Choeling Monastery
Sanga
Choeling means 'the
island of esoteric teaching'.
45 minutes walk from
Pelling will take you
to this second oldest
monastery of Sikkim.
A 4 km trail rises from
the playing fields just
above Pelling to reach
the small monastery
of Sanga Choeling is
one of the oldest gompas
in Sikkim. This gompa
is another of Lhatsun
Chenpo's creations,
and is highly venerated
among the Nyingmapa.
Gutted by fire, it has
been rebuilt and houses
some of the original
clay statues. |
Dubdi
Monastery
Dubdi
Monastery, one of the
oldest monastery in
Sikkim, is located at
the top of a hill about
an hour's walk from
Yuksam. Also known as
the Hermit's Cell after
its reclusive founder
Lhatsun Namkha Jigme,
it was built by the
followers of the Nyingmapa
sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The trail to Dubdi winds
through lush forests
high above the village,
offering scenic overlooks
and impressive mountain
views. For bird watchers,
an early morning or
late afternoon visit
is particularly rewarding.
Dubdi means 'the retreat'
. |
Ralang
Monastery
This
monastery belong to
the Karma Kagyu order
and was built after
the return of the fourth
Chogyal form his pilgrimage
to Tibet. The Karmapa
performed the 'Rabney'
(blessing) on its completion
from Tsurphu itself,
and grains from this
ceremony fell on the
ground at Ralong and
were witnessed by the
devotees. A few of the
grains are still in
the possession of some
of the monks. Between
1975-81 the government
reconstructed the monastery.
The monastery has around
100 monks. The main
ceremony falls on the
28th and 29th day of
the tenth month of the
Tibetan calendar, when
the 'chaams' are performed.
It is situated near
Ravangla in South Sikkim.
Old
Ralang monastery: is
situated 13 kms away
from Ravangla with the
spectacular peaks of
Narsing, Jopuno and
Kabur in the background.
The monastery was built
in 1730 on a site blessed
by an earlier incarnation
of Karmapa where the
grains of rice thrown
by him from Tibet had
landed. The monastery
is one of the most sacred
and important monasteries
following the Kagyupa
tradition.“Pang
Lhabsol" the worship
of Mt Khangchendzonga
& " Kagyad
" Chaam masked
dances are held every
year on the 15th day
of the seventh month
of the Buddhist calendar
coinciding with August
/ September and on the
29th day of the tenth
month just before Losoong
- the Sikkimese New
Year in December.
New
Ralang monastery: also
known as the “Palchen
Choeling Monastic Institute”,
was built by the XIIth
Gyaltsab Rimpoche, one
of the four regents
of the Kagyupa sect
and completed in 1995.
This is the biggest
monastery in Sikkim
and its architecture
and paintings have been
painstakingly undertaken
to maintain the authenticity
of the Kagyupa monasteries
from Tibet. The sacred
“Mahakala Dance”
is held here every year
in November. |
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