Rinchenpong Monastery is situated above the twin villages of Rinchenpong (Richenpong) and Kaluk in West Sikkim, at a height of over 1,700 metres (5,500 ft) in the northeastern state of Sikkim, India. This 18th century monastery is a popular tourist attraction in West Sikkim.[1]
 Front of Rinchenpong Monastery | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Buddhist |
| Established | 1730 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Ngadakpa Lama |
| Site | |
| Location | Near Richenpong, Sikkim, India |
| Coordinates | 27°14′07″N 88°16′07″E / 27.2353°N 88.2685°E |
| Public access | Trail and stone steps from Richenpong |
History
editRinchenpong Monastery was established in 1730 by the Ngadakpa Lama in the village of Rinchenpong. It is the 3rd oldest monastery in Sikkim, starting with around 98 lamas.[2] The monastery houses a rare Ati Buddha (Adi-Buddha) statue in the Yab-Yum position. Ati Buddha, also termed as The Primordial Buddha is said to be the true Buddha, symbolically represented as a naked Buddha in blue. In the Yab-Yum position, the Buddha is shown meditating while embracing a woman. In Buddhism it signifies the power of union of the male and female.[3]
Tourism
edit
Rinchenpong Monastery is popular with tourists visiting West Sikkim for its scenery and Buddha statue. It is situated on a mountain trail above the village of Rinchenpong. The villages of Kaluk and Rinchenpong are at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,500 ft) and about 5 hours by road from Siliguri. From the main Rinchenpong bazaar, a mountainous trail originates which leads to a bifurcated junction. Towards the left of this junction lies the Poison Pokhri, the poisoned lake, a symbol of resistance against foreign invasion.[4] Further up from the Poison Pokhri, the trail continues amidst maize fields to a series of stony steps. The final climb of the stone staircase brings one to the Rinchenpong Monastery, situated amidst lush green mountains and floating clouds. A panoramic view is one of the attractions of the place.
The entrance to the monastery is lined with colorful prayer flags. Housed in a traditional hut, the outer periphery is decorated with prayer wheels. Child lamas can be seen in and around the monastery as the place also serves as a training center for lamas. The main door and windows have intricate detailing in a myriad of colors. Inside, the Buddha statue is placed on a platform. Visitor entry is allowed in the sanctum but photography has recently been prohibited.
References
edit- ^ Bindloss, Joe (2009).Lonely Planet. "Northeast India". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
- ^ Mountain of the Gods, Spiritual Ecology of Himalayan Region, Volume 2. (2007)."Monasteries in Sikkim". ISBN 81-8205-422-2.Retrieved 2013-03-22.
- ^ "Rinchenpong".East Himalaya. Retrieved 2013-03-21
- ^ "History of Sikkim". National Informatics Center. Retrieved 2013-03-20.