Sanga Choeling Monastery
| Sanga Choeling Monastery | |
|---|---|
 Full view of Sanga-Choeling Monastery | |
  Sanga Choeling Monastery Location within Sikkim | |
| Coordinates | 27°15′50″N 88°13′17″E / 27.26389°N 88.22139°E |
| Monastery information | |
| Location | Sanga Choeling, Sikkim, India |
| Founded by | Lhatsün Namkha Jikmé |
| Founded | 1701 |
| Date renovated | 1962 |
| Type | Tibetan Buddhist |
| Sect | Nyingma |
| Architecture | Tibetan |
| Nearest town Pelling | |
The Sanga Choeling Monastery, also spelt Sange Choeling Monastery (Wylie: gsang sngags chos gling , THL Sangngak Chö Ling), established in the 17th century by Lama Lhatsün Chempo, is one of the oldest monasteries in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. The literal meaning of Sanga Choeling is "Island of the Guhyamantra teachings”, where gling means a vihara and "secret Mantra teachings" is a synonym for "Vajrayana Buddhism".
The monastery is located on a ridge top above Pelling at a distance of 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Pemayangtse Monastery and is accessed by walking the steep hilly track of 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), which traverses through rich forest cover.[1][2]
Pilgrimage to Sanga Choeling Monastery is undertaken by many Buddhist devotees as part of a religious and heritage circuit encompassing Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins, Khecheopalri Lake, Norbugang Chorten, Dubdi Monastery, Yuksom and Tashiding Monastery.[3]
Architecture
Sanga Cheoling Monastery, built in 1697, is also known as the place of secret spells. It has clay statues dating back to the 17th century. The monastery was affected by fire several times and was rebuilt.[1][4] The Monastery’s location provides very scenic and panoramic view all round.[5]
Religiosity
On the tenth day of every month according to the Tibetan calendar, lamas recite hymns at this monastery. Every morning and evening prayers are special here. The monastery is reserved for men only and belongs to the Nyingma sect.[5][6]
Gallery
Entrance to Sanga-Choeling Monastery
Painting of a saint in Sanga Choeling Monastery
A mythical painting in Sanga Choeling Monastery
Painting of a drummer in Sanga Choeling Monastery
A Wheel of Life painting in Sanga Choeling Monastery
References
- 1 2 "Sanga Choeling Monastery". Sikkim On line. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
- ↑ Silas, Sandeep (2005). Discover India by Rail. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 19. ISBN 81-207-2939-0. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ↑ Choudhury, Maitreyee (2006). Sikkim: Geographical Perspectives. Mittal Publications. p. 81. ISBN 81-8324-158-1. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ↑ "Nature & Culture Tours:Darjeeling and Sikkim". Western Sikkim. Gurudongma. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
- 1 2 Bruyn, Pippa de (2010). Frommer's India. Frommer's. p. 731. ISBN 0-470-55610-2. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
- ↑ Chopra, Prem Nath (1979). Sikkim. S. Chand. p. 86. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
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