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Two things you never knew about Nehru and Sikkim

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Today is Children's Day, better known for the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. There is no doubt that everyone knew about the special relationship that Nehru shared with Sikkim. Nehru had preferred to spend his retirement life in Sikkim, which never happened, and if it had happened, we might never have known Sikkim could still have been an independent country till now. Nevertheless, I am here to talk about two special things about Nehru and Sikkim that few people remember or talk about. Nehru and his daughter Indira visited Sikkim twice in his life. Nehru inaugurated the world-famous Tibetology at Tadong. But the big thing, a lesser-known fact, is that after the death of Nehru, his ashes were brought to Sikkim and dispersed in the air around places like Gangtok, Pemayangste, and Kanchenjunga ranges. Another interesting fact is that we know that the Late Chogyal Tashi Namgyal was a well-known painter, but it is interesting...

Pemayangste Monastery: with ritual and belief

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Pemayangste Monastery in west Sikkim near Pelling is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim after Dubdi monastery. One of the much sought after tourist destinations for its natural beauty and off course the cosmic charm of its monastery this heaven abode is at the height of 6840 ft and the wonderful view of Himalayan ranges and surrounding hills is a magnificent pleasure. Built by Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo this ancient two-storey masterpiece belongs to Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism and is 140 km west from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim . This 300-year-old monastery yearly holds distinct religious chaam (dances) that it is favorites among the foreign tourists. Originally this monastery was used as an institution of preparing future monks. One of the major attractions of this three-century-old institution is the presence of “Sangtoedpalri”which means ‘abode of Guru Rimpoche’ on the second floor kept sealed in a glass. Lhatsun Chenpo conceived it where the eight m...