Sikkim Pemayangtse Monastery
Located near the town of Pelling in Pemayangtse, the Pemanyangtse Monastery is a well known Buddhist monastery in the North Eastern region of Gangtok, towards its west side, at 140 kms distant. It is said to be one of the oldest and the well planned and designed monasteries found in Sikkim, said to be built in the year 1705. Along with being the first in the state, it is also quite famous. Built in 1705 by Lhatsun Chenpo as a small Lhakang, it was gradually enlarged when the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal was the ruler and order Jigme Pawo, who was the third incarnation of Lhatsun Chempo to build the monastery, which followed the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhist sect. one important thing about Pemayangtse monastery is that it controls the other monasteries related to that particular sect in Sikkim. Most of the monks who arrive to study and worship in this monastery, belong to the Bhutias in Sikkim.
Since the monastery was constructed by monks of pure Tibetan lineage, known as Ta-tshang or pure monks, who practiced celibacy, without any other physical needs, the idea is still ingrained in the monks to arrive here. The title to Ta-tshang is given to the monks of Pemayangtse Monastery. It was the head lama of this monastery to anoint the Chogyals of the Monarch of the Sikkim with holy water. Literary meaning of the Pemayangtse is Perfect Sublime Lotus, which is considered to be one of the Four plexuses of the human body.
The Pemayangtse monastery was built as part of the Buddhist circuit of pilgrimage, the first being the Yuksom or Dubdi Monastery, second one was the Norbugang chorten, followed by the Rabdentse ruins, Khecheopalri Lake and Tashiding Monastery.
History
Pemayangtse monastery has its history related to that of the times of Chodar Namgyal in Rabdentse. He was a person having a religious frame of mind and had taken a lot of initiatives to spread Buddhism in Sikkim. A rule which he had framed was that the second son out of three sons of Bhutia family will have to go and live the life of a monk in Pemayangtse Monastery. It was during his rule in 1715 that the Guru Lhakang Tashiding was built. Apart from spreading the building of religious places in Sikkim, he also started the mystery places or dance forms so as to keep alive the native and dance forms in the tradition of Sikkim.
Architecture
Monastery is situated at a height of about 2085 m and has snow capped mountains as the scenic background on two sides of the monastery. It is made up of three stories while paintings are present on the walls, depicting various status of rinpoches and saints from various eras. In 1913 and again in 1960, the monastery was damaged by earthquakes. But still, it has been built many times. Since the monastery belongs to the Nyingma order, set up under the leadership of Padmasambhava, it has many statues of this Guru rinpoche and two of his consorts.
Tibetan designs depict the walls of the prayer halls with area of 1500 square feet and the main temples of Dukhang and Lakhang are having colorfully painted doors and windows. Padmasambhava statue is seen in the form of Dorje Bhurpa, which is the wrathful representation with multiple heads and arms.
The Pemayangtse Monastery overlooks the ruins of Rabdantse, where there are beautiful gardens and the compounds have residential accommodations of the monks.
In the first floor of the monastery, there are plenty of Buddhist idols of antique value, along with scriptures and decorated paintings. Also, there are idols depicting the 8 incarnationas of Padmasambhava which are depicted in fierce forms. An important structure is a seven storied wooden structure with paintings which is supposed to be the heavenly palace of Guru Rinpoche known as Sanghthokpalri also known as Zandog Palri, which is particular seen in the top floor of the monastery. There are lots of painting scenes from angels, rainbows, buddhas and bodhistavas and they were done by Dungzin Rimpoche extending over a period of 5 years.
Festival
Monk dance or the Chaam festival, with lamas dressed as mahakala and Guru Drag Dmar is held in the 12th Lunar month as per the Tibetan Calendar, held particularly on 28th and 29th days, which probably corresponds to the February month. The lamas of the monastery mainly take part in this festival. They adorn themselves in colorful dresses for the dance form. The monastery Sikkim is visited by monasteries from all parts of the state to visit the festival. The losar or the Tibetan New year is the concluding part of the last day of the festival, on the day of which there is a large and impressive embroidered scroll is displayed. Fireworks are also an integral part of the last day, which symbolizes the driving of the evil spirits.
How To Reach
By Rail
Pelling is the nearest railhead, located at Jalpaiguri, which in turn is connected to many other cities in India. Pelling can be reached by taxi or buses from Jalpaiguri.
By Road
Pelling is about 133 kms from Siliguri and about 125 ksm from Gangtok, which means to reach the monastery, the best way would be by road. From Geyzing also, local transport are available. Pelling can be reached from the shared jeep or one can take a trekking trip to pelling.
By Air
Bagdodara Airport is nearest to pelling at about 124 kms from the main town. This airport is easily accessible from may places in the country. From the airport, pelling can be reached by taxis quite easily.
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