Sikkim is a state which is located in northeast India. Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal border the state. Sikkim is very well known for its glaciers, alpine meadows, and various wildflowers. The monasteries of Sikkim are very popular all over the world.
Buddhist monasteries are the most popular among them. Monasteries reveal ancient rituals and rules. There are many monasteries situated in Sikkim, and people have a great belief in them.
Here is the list of Popular Monastery in Sikkim:
1. Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek monastery is the most significant monastery in Sikkim and is located on a hill in Gangtok. It was established in the 19th century by Wangchuk Dorje. It is also known as Dharma Chakra Centre. This monastery consists of beautiful temples also.
The shrine was introduced here for teaching about Buddha and spreading their teaching throughout the whole world. This monastery covers a distance of 23 km from Gangtok. Greenery mountains well surround the monastery. Its architecture is similar to Kagyu headquarters, which is the school for Tibet Buddhism.
2. Enchey Monastery
This monastery is 200 years old and is situated 3 km from Gangtok. The meaning of this monastery is a solitary temple. This incredible monastery is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Now, this monastery resident of at least 90 monks.
The monastery is dedicated to Loki Sharia, Buddha, and Guru Padmasambhava. The architecture of the prayer hall is unique, and its roof is made up of metal. Chaam dance is a type of special prayer done by monks of this monastery and is popular among tourists.
3. Lachen Monastery
The monastery was established in 1858, A.D. Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism built it, and with the help of 8 monks, it was established. It is also known as Ngodub Choling or Launching Gompa. This monastery hall is fully decorated with prayer wheels and colorful prayer flags, which provide a stunning look.
The month of March to June is the best time for visiting this monastery. From this beautiful monastery, people can also see a fantastic view of Thangu village, located at a distance of 1 hour from the monastery.
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4. Phodong Monastery
The monastery is located at the height of 4500 ft. It gives a perfect view of deep valleys and mountains. It is one of the important monasteries in Sikkim. It was built in the 18th century by ruler Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal.
The monastery is dedicated to Karma Kagyu, which was the sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery consists of astonishing paintings and murals. In an earthquake, its original structure was destroyed and renowned by Lamas in 1977. The new construction is more prominent than earlier. Read Also: 10 Famous Places To Visit In North East India
5. Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi monastery is also known as Yuksom monastery. It is a Buddhist shrine. The monastery was built during the rule of Chogyal Namgyal in the year 1701. It is the oldest monastery in Sikkim. The word Dubdi means to retreat. It is situated at an altitude of 2100 meters.
It consists of the images of divinities, and saints. The statue of three Lamas is also built in this monastery which worked together to founding Yuksom. The building is two-storied and consisting a bell-shaped dome on top of this building. Read Also: North East India’s Top Places to See in June
6. Tashiding Monastery
This monastery is significantly older but reflects the charm of its enlightenment and spirituality. It attracts many visitors to it because of its fantastic architecture. The mountain peaks located at the back of the monastery are exquisite and increase this monastery’s beauty.
It was built in the 17th century and was situated between two beautiful rivers, namely Rangit and Rathong. It was believed that by visiting this monastery people get rid of every sin. Read Also: Honeymoon Destinations in North East India
7. Pemayangtse Monastery
The word Pemayangtse means Perfect Sublime Lotus. It is a top-rated tourist attraction in Sikkim and is visited by many people throughout the year. The building is very rich in its architecture and consists of many followers of Buddhism.
The building is three-storied and composed of statues of saints and Rinpoches. The prayer hall is fully decorated with beautiful paintings, and its doors and windows are painted with traditional Tibetan design, which looks very attractive.
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Conclusion
There are many monasteries in Sikkim, and all of them contain remarkable beauty. The decoration of all the monasteries is very stunning. All of these are visited by a large number of tourists throughout the year. The architecture of these monasteries is very delicate and refined.
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