Ringhem Choling Monastery above Mangan

It was a providential escape for the 60-odd monks living in the century-old Ringjhim Buddhist monastery in North Sikkim whose prayer room was reduced to rubble in the temblor that shook Sikkim last Sunday.

The monastery houses five senior monks and 55 students and as it was a Sunday, the monks had finished their prayer session half an hour earlier rather than the usual time of 6 pm on weekdays.

The earthquake struck at 6.10 pm ruining the holy prayer hall in a matter of minutes before the monks could run for shelter. Had the prayer meeting continued till 6 PM as on week days, the monks could have been trapped inside, the Principal of the Institution of Buddhist Learning of the monastery, Acharya Prema Dorjee told PTI.

"On weekdays the routine afternoon prayer session is from 4 pm to 6 pm but as it was Sunday we finished the prayer session at 5.30 pm in the evening and the earthquake hit this part of the region at 6.10 pm," Acharya Prema Dorjee told PTI.

"We saw part of our coveted institution crumbling down like a house of cards. Had it been a weekday we would all have been under the debris" Dorjee said.

"We would all have died but it was our good luck that we survived. Had it been a week day no one would have survived" a senior monk said.

Earthquake damages four heritage monasteries in Sikkim

Four monasteries, including premier Pemayangste and Tashiding, were badly damaged in the Sunday earthquake in Sikkim, official sources said on Tuesday.

Pemayangtse monastery, built in 1705 near tourist town of Pelling in West Sikkim district, was extensively damaged under the impact of the quake, the sources said.

So was the case with Tashiding monastery, founded in 1641 and renovated in 1717 in West Sikkim district during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal.

Damage was also caused to Enchey monastery, established in 1909 in Gangtok. Ringhem Monastery above Mangan in North Sikkim developed cracks, the sources said.

All four monasteries belong to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The government has intimated other religious institutions to inform about their status after the quake so that a comprehensive measure may be taken to repair all of them, the sources said.

Sikkim Monasteries for an Enthralling Experience

Sikkim is a beautiful tourist destination renowned for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and magnificent monasteries. This is an enchanting place where tourists come to spend memorable holidays. It is also famous for its monasteries. It boasts of around 250 monasteries belonging to various sects of Buddhism. The monasteries are famous across the globe for their rich collection of Buddhist artefacts which provide deep insight into Buddhist culture. The monasteries are adorned with frescoes showcasing Buddhist legends, silk and brocade Thangkas, manuscripts and exquisitely carved wooden work.

The famous monasteries in Sikkim are

Pemayangtse Monastery

It is a beautiful monastery situated in west Sikkim at Gyalshing which is 140 km from Gangtok. This monastery belongs to the Nyigma order of Buddhism. All other Nyigma order monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it. Originally this monastery was a small Lhekhang which was built by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century. It was later rebuilt into a grand structure by the third Lhatsun Chenpo's the third reincarnate of Jigme Pawo.

The monastery houses several religious idols and sacred objects. There is a wooden sculpture on the top floor depicting the maha guru's heavenly palace. There are 108 monks in this monastery who practice beliefs of Nyigma Buddhism.

Rumtek Monastery

This is among the beautiful and sacred monasteries situated 24 km from Gangtok. It is the seat of Kagyu order which is one of the 4 major Tibetan Buddhist sects. The architecture of this monastery resembles the Kagyu headquarter in Tibet. This monastery is famous across the world because of its unique collection of religious objects, scriptures, paintings and artefacts. It is a popular monastery where tourists come in large number to spend peaceful time which provides solace to their weary souls. The foremost attraction of this monastery is the annual dance show which is held here on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar.

Enchey Monastery

The name Enchey Monastery means solitary temple. It was founded by Lama Drupthob Karpo of the Nyingma order of Buddhism. This monastery was built on the site which was blessed by Lama Drupthob Karpo, a tantric master who was famous for his power of flying. It is the residence of 90 monks belonging to the Nyingma order. Every year large number of festivals are held in this monastery but the charm of Chaam a religious masked dance is unparalleled. This festival is held in January every year.

Monasteries in Sikkim are famous across the globe for their rich and varied collection of religious objects which provide deep insight into Buddhist culture. These monasteries are visited by large number of tourists during their Sikkim Tour.

Monasteries of Sikkim - Pics