Gangtok, Sikkim is the land of monasteries and has at least two hundred. Yes. Really. Each one is more beautiful than the other. We only had time to see three. But my heart was full. The interiors are gorgeous and the expression on the larger than life statues of the Buddha is just wonderful. Here are some pictures of the Gonjang Monastery in Gangtok.
A beautiful entry arch
A brief history: (Yes, get ready for a real tongue twister!)
Gonjang Monastery is near Tashi View Point and established in the year 1981. Thee founder is H.E. Tingkye Gonjang Rimpoche. He was recognized as an incarnation of Yolmo Terton Ngakchang Shakya Zangpo, a 15th century Nyingmapa Terton.
The monastery follows Jangter tradition of Nyingmapa school of Tibeten Buddhism. In the early 19th century, it was Rigzin Pema Choephel who was also responsible for constructing the first ever Gonjang Monastery at Tingkey, Tsang province which was named as “Gonjang Samten Choephug”. Monk students study for nine years and are taught all kinds of monastic stuff along with Tibetan language and English. Their education includes comparative studies of Indian and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy based on moral values.
Take a look at the door knocker
Looking out from this entry way, is this little prayer room where they light the butter lamps. Where you see blank in the background, should have been a panoramic view of mountains. Rains. Hence zero visibility!
Want a closer look? Visitors are not allowed inside. This is what it looks like from the outside:
Let’s go inside the monastery, shall we? This breathtaking sight meets us – Padmasambhava Rinpoche (or the coming Buddha)
I just love the expression on this Buddha’s face! Like he’s privately amused by the way the world is going.
A close-up- did you notice that little tooth showing on the left? That’s what makes it so charming.
Men at work – creating a brand new Buddha
I looked up. More men at work repainting the colorful interiors.They were quite unperturbed with our photography attempts
The prayer drum. Turning it dissolves all your sins 😀
It is so tough to choose from hundreds of photos! Next week I’ll show you what I brought home
Now let’s head over to the lovely Unknown Mami’s blog and join the others and travel the world and….have a great week ahead, folks!
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Cheers!
Vidya
Awesome Vidya!Monasteries in Gangtok can’t be left out and there are so many to cover, that we had to leave out some of the not so popular ones. Wow! You surely did manage to learn all those historical names and how they came up- something I’m really bad at. But yes, we did bring along a few ‘Tankas’ and those door knockers, which dad has decorated in his drawing room. I wonder if you can across those 7 or was it 9 lucky symbols also they have there – made out of wood.Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more snaps of your trip- bring back old memories again. 🙂
Hi Harleena! I am sad we missed Rumtek Monastery. Maybe next time! I wouldn’t mind visiting just the monasteries… so serenely beautiful! I don’t remember the symbols, unless you mean the prayer on the prayer wheel etc. which appear to be in Japanese. Planning to do a post on Sunday with pictures of the shops there 😀 Thank you so much for being here!
Such a feast for the eyes! I don’t know how you take it all in when actually there. It must truly be breathtaking. I love the colors and intricate detail. And the fact that each Buddha is different, and somehow in small ways. Just lovely, Vidya. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I’m still hoping some day I can visit these places. In the meantime, I have you for my tour guide…thankfully! XOXOs
You know what, Terri – I have had to consciously learn to take it all in. The camera helps too as it requires me to focus 😀 But Sikkim was so breathtaking, I just didn’t get enough of it. I always found that when we went on temple trips, I enjoyed the architecture so much, I never remembered the deity! I do hope you visit sometime. That would be so wonderful! Hugs!
Beautiful shots! Everything is so colorful! It just makes you feel happy to look at these pictures! I love your shot of the door knocker and of the ongoing work on one of the Buddhas. Very interesting about the butter lamps. I’ve never thought of lighting a lamp that contained butter but it is an oil I guess!
Thanks for the tour!
Butter lamps are quite common here, Betsy. In fact, in one of the monasteries we saw, there was this very massive urn sort of thing and I touched its side…was HOT. Inside it there was another receptacle with the butter and wick. That never goes off you know? They take care to refill it constantly. I fell in love with the doorknocker too! What a beautiful place!
Ur Sunday in my city posts always take me to the most beautiful places. Live them!
Thank you, Vanita! May we meet some day! 🙂 Hugs!
Love these pictures! I want to live in one now:) (a monastery that is!!) The door knocker photo and hundreds of lights are my favorite!
They are beautiful, Vishnu. I somehow find the sight of the monks very soothing. They all have a hostel attached to the “temple” and it is wonderful to see them all smiling and going about their stuff. That little room with the lamps was lovely and warm – outside it was so cold! I am sure you would have loved visiting the place!
Very beautiful.
Thank you, Wayne!
The place and the weather makes it perfect for those awesome color display!
Thanks for sharing with us, such lovely photographs.
Thank you, Pattu. Unforgettable memories!
Beautiful images. A door knocker like this always Leeds somewhere magical!
And it did, Stasha! Thank you for coming by.
There is something that will dissolve away all our sins – – –
I am loving that belief, Keetha! 🙂
The color and imagery are fascinating. My favorite photo is the second one. It really looks like it belongs to you, because of the way you placed your title.
Ooh, I would have loved to live in one, Laurie. The details in the paintings inside are mind-boggling!
–breathtaking.
the colours. the door knocker. the Buddah w/ his tooth!
Is India known for her gorgeous colours? Tell me more!
Xxx SMOOCHESssss.
We’re all about color, Kim! 😀 Breathtaking was what it was! Love ya! Hugs!
Wow, pretty amazing; and I’m guessing they let you take pics too….with permission……..:).
Thanks for sharing; always good pics.
We cleverly visited during lunch time, Bill. If they’re praying no one is allowed there. They were quite friendly about the photos. I went in thinking only the lens in my eye would be able to enjoy the sights. 😀
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!!!!!!!
Thank you! 🙂
These temples are magnificent. I can only imagine how awe-inspiring them are in person.
Yes, Tara. The entire wall was filled with intricate paintings. Each figure is significant – and one could spend all day there and not finish looking at everything! 😀
Thank you for allowing me to travel to a place I may never travel too. However I am now inspired to think about it.
Thank you! 🙂 I am so happy you’re here!
Every time you post these glimpses into your hub of the world, I feel so at peace. I really do.
I just want to leap into the screen and be there soaking in all the beautiful colour.
xo
Ah, Kim, how I wish you could do that – I’d be waiting here with open arms to grab you in a bear hug! But wait. I might be able to do that yet! 😀
What a beautiful place to visit.
I love visiting Buddhist monasteries and temples, so colourful and busy yet serene and peaceful.
Right, @del king! The busy part is so cheerful – it is lovely to see them moving around. I love the sound of their prayer bell!
You bring back old memories. I had visited the monasteries and yes the look on the Buddha’s face is something that has stayed with me for a long time.
🙂 Thank you, Hajra, for being here! Which monasteries did you visit? Rumtek is supposed to be the most beautiful there!
You taken some amazing pics! its almost like taking your reader with you. Keep up the ggood work 🙂
take care
The_Beauty_Doctor_Speaks
Thank you, Dr. Samujjala! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the photos!
You live where everyone in my part of the world wants to visit! What gorgeous photos. When I lived in Thailand, I loved going to visit temples and monasteries. So full of deep wisdom energy and light. Even in the rain! I love all your posts, and I especially love your travel/photo posts.
Thank you, dearest Galen! Do I sound weird if I say I look forward to my Sunday posts? I love picking a group from the hundreds I take! I’d love to visit Thailand some day! I love that there’s so much to see in India!
Hi, Vidya, this is so beautiful and serene, I closed my eyes and saw myself walking through the temple feeling at peace. Thank you so much for sharing your life!
Hi Barbara! 🙂 Welcome! It was indeed lovely, especially because of the weather – I think. It was like we were nestled in the clouds! I am glad you dropped by!
A lovely visual post Vidya! Brought back memories of my visit to Gangtok, many years ago:)
Thank you, Rahul!
Vidya, how could I not stop by here and enjoy a bit of your culture? It’s amazing what the different cultures of the world see as beauty and how it manifests itself. Those photos are truly spectacular.
Thanks for sharing them.
Ralph! Welcome! I am so happy to see you here. Thank you for coming by. The fun thing about India is our multicultural ambiance. Each region is so different, yet similar in many ways. Visiting Sikkim was almost like visiting a foreign country!
God you just brought back all my memories from my vacations to Gangtok and Darjeeling 3 years ago. I feel fresh just by watching the pics you have posted. It is really the best time to visit Sikkim.
I just love the lovely cloudy weather of Gangtok. Would really want to visit it again.
🙂 I am happy to hear you’ve visited these places, Akash! The clouds were gorgeous! Like heaven.
How very intricate and colorful. I wonder how one studies in such a visually stimulating surrounding, I know I would find it difficult.
🙂 Nita, I know what you mean. I used to find it hard to study even on my terrace, because the clouds distracted me! I guess most of the residents take the sights for granted! Thank you for coming by!
I love the knocker. I could see how turning the prayer drum would be soothing.
The lovely part of that drum was – in spite of being so huge, it turned so silently and smoothly! I enjoyed turning it!
Absolutely fabulous photos, Vidya! I love your photo-journals!!