|
Pemayangtse Monastery
Distance
- 140 km ( from Gangtok )
Built in - 17th
Century
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...more
Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabdanste Palace in Ruins:
Around 6 km from Gyalsing town, this monastery originally built as
an small temple in the last of 17th century by Latsun
Chempo, later during the reign of third Chogyl Chakdor Namgyal,
Jigme Pawa, the third reincarnate of Latsun Chempo extended and
rebuilt the temple structure into a monastery.
The second oldest monastery, it is situated at a height of 6,840 ft
is the head of all others and belonging to the Nyingma-pasect.
Presenting a gorgeous view of the mountain ranges, it is now
equipped with 50-bed Tourist Lodge catering to travellers who want
to visit this ancient and holy place which is an ideal base for
those who would like to explore the unspoiled charms of the
neighbouring spots and trek to Yuksom and Dzongri.
The main hall has an area of 1500 sq.ft. The monastery houses
religious idols and priceless antiques. On the top floor of
monastery there is a wooden sculpture portraying the Mahaguri's
Heavenly Palace Sangthokpalri. The main festival is on the 28th
and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan
calendar, normally corresponding to the month of February.
Rabdanste, which is couple of kilometers from Gyalshing bazaar and
near the Pemayangtse monastery, was the second capital of Sikkim and
was established in the late seventeenth century by the second
Chogyal of Sikkim. It was abandoned towards the end of the
eighteenth century because of the threat posed by the Nepalese and
the capital was shifted to Tumlong. The Rabdanste Palace is in ruins
and one has to trek about two kilometres from the main road near
Pemayangtse monastery through a thick forest to reach it. The
chortens around the palace have however withstood the elements of
nature. The ruins are now being preserved by the Archaelogical
Surnvey of India and have been declared as a monument.
Just adjacent to the Pemayangtse monastery is Mount Pandim Hotel.
Daily buses are available form Gangtok to Gyalsing. |
A-Z
Hotels