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Pemayangtse
About Pemayangtse

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.

 
Architecture of Pemayangtse Monastery

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.

 
Festivals Celebrated in Monastery

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.

History of Pemayangtse Monastery

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.

Geography of Pemayangtse Monastery

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.

How to reach Pemayangtse Monastery

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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