June 20, 2016 TnH Global

The travel delight of Gangtok

Tourists can get immersed in the world of stupas, monasteries and chorten in Gangtok.

For new-age tourists and history-lovers having a yen for Tibetan Buddhism, the best destination to head for is Gangtok. The first spectacular sight that beholds the eye of onlookers in the wee hours of dawn is the majestic Kanchenjunga towering at a distance. The city holds huge possibilities to know about Tibetan Buddhism and one can spend the entire day discovering the sights of a number of age-old, famed monasteries. If you have a penchant to visit some of the renowned monasteries of Gangtok that offer info on Tibetan Buddhism, then read on…

There is the 200-year old Enchey monastery at Chandmari in the east of Gangtok city that stands as one of the major recognized gompas of Sikkim. Established by Dhrubthob Karpo- the tantric who was well-known for his flying powers, the sprawling monastery was set up way back in 1840 on the lines of sacred mountain of five peaks in China. One can catch glimpses of images of a plethora of gods and goddesses in the monastery.

From here, head straight to Deorali bazaar that has the renowned Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. A tour of Gangtok is incomplete without a visit to Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The reputed Buddhist institute serves as a treasure-trove of Tibetan, Lepcha and Sanskrit manuscripts. The institute serves as a seat of learning of Buddhist philosophy and has an amazing range of 200 Buddhist icons and rare Thankas. There are statues of Lord Buddha in clay, wood and metal in different postures that highlight the varied activities he took up in Abhaya Mudra, Dhyan Mudra and Varada Mudra. One can take a peek at the colourful paintings portraying the 12 deeds of Lord Buddha. It is at the institute that visitors get to know more about guru Padmasambhava, renowned as the second Buddha who was born in 8th century at Orgyen in Swat Valley of Afghanistan. It was due to the exceptional efforts of Guru Padmasambhava that Buddhism gained foothold in Tibet. Besides, there a r e multiple tantric figures of Vajrayana Buddhism at the institute. The statue of Sarvajaya, better known as the goddess of victory has been sculpted in brass around 19th century. The statue was first found at Kundeling temple in Tibet. There are statues of celestial Boddhisattvas who were the followers of Lord Buddha. The most popular female deity in Tibetan Buddhism is Tara. It is widely believed in Tibetan Buddhism that White Tara bestows health and wealth while Green Tara provides protection from the fears of life. The display of seven water bowl offerings form another interesting facet of the institute. In keeping with the tradition, these water bowls were set out on a Buddhist altar every day as a mark of respect and gratitude to Lord Buddha.

Quite near the institute is the Do-Drul Chorten or the stupa with a rising spire plated in gold. The chorten has been the creation of the revered Trullishi Rimpoche, the leader of a particular sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The chorten is surrounded by 108 prayer wheels that are turned by devout Buddhists. This is incidentally the place where lamas are groomed. After a whirlwind tour of monasteries, it’s time to visit Banjakhri waterfalls at Ranka that provides fascinating views of stunning natural beauty. Lying around 10 km in the east of Gangtok, the gurgling waterfall has water gushing with a huge force. Jakhri in Nepali implies physician, in Rai community, it is known as Mangpa while Limboos call padangma. There are statues of jakhri, mangpa and padangma curing an ailing patient in the premises of the waterfall.