Sikkim Phensang Monastery
Phensang Monastery is a monastery in Sikkim of the Buddhist religion, belonging to the Nyingmapa order. This is among the prominent monasteries in Sikkim, where learned Buddhist monks arrive for meditation and for prayers and Buddhist Lamas are said to meet in this place. The monastery is located near Gangtok, on the slope of a hill, in between the region of Kabi and Phodong, giving the area of the Phensang monastery a picturesque look. It was during the time of Jigme Pawo in 1721 that the Phensang monastery was built but was engulfed by fire in the year 1947. Thereafter, it was gradually rebuilt in 1948. There are presently about 300 monks residing within the monastery.
There is an annual function held in the monastery, which is scheduled for around the days 28 and 29 of the tenth month as per the Tibetan based calendar, which is usually the month of December in English calendar. During this period, which falls a few days prior to the new year according to sikkimese calendar, there are plenty of dances and folk associated cultural activities, where the local people are also involved.
Reaching There
Located near Gangtok, the Phensang monastery is visited by a number of tourists, more because of the picturesque setting of the monastery complex.
Gangtok is connected through flights to the nearest airport of Bagdodara in West Bengal, which has facilities of scheduled flights. A special helicopter service is available from bagdodara to gangtok and return.
Railways stations located nearest to the city of Gangtok are at Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri at distances of 114 kms and 125 kms respectively.
Tourists can arrive at Gangtok by taking the roads, which are made of metals and concretes and joins cities like Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and various other cities in West Bengal and Sikkim. Private taxis and jeeps are commonly seen for transportation in Gangtok, which can be availed by the tourists for reaching the Phensang Monastery.
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