State
: Sikkim, in the north eastern state of India. Best time to Travel : March to late May, October to Mid-December.
Significance : The Pilgrimage Centre.
Location : Pemayangtse Monastery is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing, about 140 km from Gangtok, capital city of Sikkim.
Know Pemayangtse Monastery in Sikkim
Pemayangtse Monastery in Sikkim belongs to the Nyingma order and all other Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it. Situated about 140 km form Gangtok in Sikkim, Pemayangtse Monastery commands an impressive view of Mt. Kanchendzonga. Pemayangtse Monastery Sikkim was basically a small Lhekhang build by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century AD. Later during the rule of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal, Lhatsun Chenpo's third reincarnate jigme Pawo extended the monastery and rebuild the structure.
There are 108 monks in the Pemayangtse Monastery Sikkim. The monks of Pemayangtse are usually from the leading Bhutia families in Sikkim.
The Structure of the Pemayangtse Monastery in Sikkim
The Pemayangtse Monastery shelters several religious images and other objects of worship, most of which are precious because of their ancientness. On the top floor of the monastery there is a wooden sculpture, interpreting the Maha Gurus Heavenly Palace "Sanghthokpalri". This master piece was accomplished by the late Dungzin Rimpoche, who took five years to craft it.
The main festival of the monastery is on the 28th & 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calender, normally corressponding to the month of February. During these two days religious dances are performed and pilgrims come from all over Sikkim to watch them. Journey to Pemayangtse Monastery in Sikkim
Pemayangtse Monastery in Sikkim is easily approachable from Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim.
Airport : Nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal( 124 kms.), from where scheduled flights operates to and fro from Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati. The Bagdogra airport is connected to Gangtok by a helicopter service operating between Gangtok - Bagdogra - Gangtok.
Railhead : Two nearest railway station are at Siliguri (114 km) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km) stabilizing link to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Lucknow and other important cities in India.
Road Transport : Gangtok is connected with all weather mettaled road with Siliguri, Kalimpong, Gangtok etc. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is connected by all weather road to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and also to all the District headquarters within Sikkim.
Private Taxis, Jeeps and Landrovers ply regularly on the Gangtok, Siliguri Highway and are available for transfer of passengers between Gangtok and Siliguri/ New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra, and also for local sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Gangtok.
NOTE : Foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim (available at Siliguri).
Staying at Pemayangtse Monastery (Sikkim)
Accommodation is easily available in Gangtok. You may take your pick from the many hotels, tourist Lodge, tourist hostel and tourist cottages in Gangtok. Check out for the hotels that suits you the most.
