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About
Pemayangtse |
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Pemayangtse, the “Perfect Sublime Lotus”, founded in the
seventeenth century by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the three lamas
of Yoksum, and extended in 1705 by his rebirth, is one of the
most important gompas in Sikkim and belongs to the Nyingmapa
sect. The views and the surrounding woods create an atmosphere
of meditative solitude. Surrounded by outhouses featuring
elaborate woodwork on the beams, lattice windows and doors,
the main gompa itself is plain in comparison. Built on three
floors, it centres around a large hall which contains images
of Guru Rinpoche and Lhatsun Chenpo and an wonderful display
of murals and thangkas. On the top floor, a wonderful wooden
sculpture carved and painted by Dungzin Rinpoche, a former
abbot of Pemayangtse, illustrates Sang Thok Palri, the
celestial abode of Guru Rinpoche, rising above the realms of
hell. The two-day annual Guru Drogma chaam is held here during
Losar, the New Year (Feb/March), and attracts visitors from
all over Sikkim culminating with draping the monastery with a
gigantic thangka.
Perched at the end of a ridge with a grand view of the entire
Parekh Chu watershed including the Kanchenjunga massif, the
sacred monastery of Pemayangtse which is about 118 km from
Gangtok and a mere 2 km from Pelling, is poised high above the
River Rangit. It’s a 9 km journey along the main road from
Gyalshing; or one can take a steep, 4 km short-cut through the
woods past a line of chortens and the otherwise uninteresting
remains of Sikkim’s second capital, Rabdantse, now made into a
park.
The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in
Pemayangtse, near Pelling in the northeastern Indian state of
Sikkim, located 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Gangtok. It is
not only one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim but also the
most famous in west Sikkim.Initially built by Lhatsun Chenpo
in the 17th century, as a small Lhakhang, it was then 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 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,
the Rabdentse ruins, the Khecheopalri Lake, the Sanga Choeling
Monastery and Tashiding Monastery.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. |
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Architecture of Pemayangtse Monastery |
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The
monastery is located at an elevation of 2085 m, it is built with
scenic backdrop of snow capped mountains on two sides. Built as
a three storied structure, the monastery depicts paintings on
its statues and walls of saints and Rinpoches, sacred in various
floors. The monastery was damaged by earthquakes in 1913 and
1960. However, it has been renovated various times. The
monastery belongs to the Nyingma order (established in the 8th
century by Padmasambhava) and characteristic feature seen in
this monastery is of statues of Padmasambahva and his two
consorts.
In the main prayer hall (1,500 square feet (140 m2) area), the
Dukhang or Lakhang, the main temple, which has colourfully
painted windows and doors, depict Tibetan designs. The main
statue of Padmasambahva (also known as Guru Rinpoche who revived
Buddhism in Tibet and was also the propagator of Vajrayana or
tantric form of Buddhism) seen here is in his wrathful form as
Dorje Bhurpa Vjarakila with multiple heads and arms. |
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Festivals Celebrated in Monastery |
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The
Chaam festival (monk dance) is held every year which performed
by the lamas of this monastery, on the 28th and 29th day of the
12th lunar month of the Tibetan Calendar corresponding to
February of the Gregorian calendar. The lamas dress up as
Mahakala and Guru Drag-dmar in colourful costumes for the dance
performance. Pilgrims from all parts of Sikkim visit the
monastery to view this festival.
On this festive occasion, which marks the conclusion of the
Losar (Tibetan New Year), on the last day of the festival, a
very large and imposing embroidered scroll is displayed.
Fireworks display is also a part of the concluding function,
symbolizing driving away of evil spirits.There are 108 monks in
this monastery and they are identified by the red hats that they
wear. |
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History of Pemayangtse Monastery |
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The history of the monastery is very closely linked to the
reign of Chodar Namgyal at Rabdentse. Chador, a very
religious person, had taken some initiatives to the spread
of Buddhist religion in Sikkim. He had decreed that the
second of every three sons of Bhutia family shall be
intended a monk of the Pemayangtse Monastery. During his
reign, the Guru Lhakhang Tashiding (1715) was built. He
not only supported Buddhist religious places but also
introduced the religious dances (mystery plays) to
emphasize the martial and native traditions of Sikkim. |
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Geography of Pemayangtse Monastery |
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The
monastery is located on a hill top in the west district of
Sikkim is at the beginning of the popular Dzongri trek route -
Yuksom – Dzongri – Goechha La is a trek of 46 km, which was
started prior to 1960 and which is the most famous trek in
Sikkim to the Kanchendzonga range of hills and Kanchendzonga
National Park. It is 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) away from Geyzing on
the main Pelling road and 44 km away from Pelling. From Upper
Pelling on the Geyzing-Pelling road near a stupa, a bypass track
of 1.3 km leads to the monastery; Pelling (2,040 metres (6,690
ft)) is the adjacent town to the monastery. The view of Mount
Khanchendzonga is said to be a commanding and imposing view from
this monastery. |
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How to reach Pemayangtse Monastery |
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By
Rail
Jalpaiguri railway station, about 166 km south of the town, is
the nearest railhead. Trains from many Indian cities like
Ahmedabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata halt at the station.
Private-taxis and bus services are available from the station to
reach Pemayangtse.
By
Road
State run and private buses connect the town to nearby
cities like Gangtok, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Namchi.
By
Air
Bagdogra airport, about 133 km south of the town, is the
nearest airport. Bagdogra is linked by flights to several
cities. Regular jeeps and vans are available to reach
Pemayangtse.
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