Pemangytse Monastery
Pemayangtse, Sikkim – 737113
The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Pemayangtse, near Pelling in the northeastern of Sikkim, located 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Gabgtok. Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705, it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, also the most famous in west Sikkim. Originally built by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century, as a small Lhakhang, it was subsequently enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal who was considered as Lhatsun Chenpo’s third reincarnate, Jigme Pawo. The monastery follows the Nyingma Order of Tibet Buddhism and controls all other monasteries of that Order in Sikkim. The monks of this monastery are normally chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim.
The monastery was built for “pure monks” (ta-tshang) meaning “monks of pure Tibetan lineage”, celibate and without any physical abnormality. This practice is still retained. Only the monks of Pemayangtse Monastery are entitled to the title “ta-tshang”. The head lama of this monastery had the unique privilege of anointing the Chogyals of the erstwhile monarchy of Sikkim with holy water. Pemayangtse means “Perfect Sublime Lotus”, and is said to represent one of the four plexus of the human body.
The Pemayangtse Monastery is part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit starting with the first monastery at Yuksom known as the Dubdi Monastery, followed by Norbugang Chorten, Tashiding Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Khecheopalri Lake.
Source : Wikipedia
Visitors are allowed to visit inside and can go up to the 2nd and 3rd floor of the main building. Each floor has many traditional collections of Buddhist statues, traditional paintings, wooden masks and ritual texts. Some paintings are kept covered by cloths. At the top floor there is a beautiful wooden replica of Zangdog Palri the celestial adobe of Guru Padmasambhava. This is the main attraction of the Monastery. This colorful and beautiful piece is kept inside a big glass box to preserve it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWfooklEgvk
Reviews
Visiting hours : 09.00AM to 06.00PM all days of the week
Entry fee : Rs.20/- per person
Rate this article