Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

Without a doubt, the land of Sikkim is full of mystery; the more you believe, the more you understand the mystery hidden inside it, and the legend guiding this mystic land smiles back. I have often heard stories about mysterious magical tales that relive the world of that fantasy, which people still accept as accurate once Sikkim is part of it. Some are enveloped in the footprints of learned men, some strange symbols are said to be the footprints of animals, statues that pour tears, or even those that sweat. There are many more such examples to follow, but I believe these mysterious happenings are beyond the common man's understanding. Only the time immortal has the secrets to these mysteries.      Tashiding is one of the most mysterious places, and there are also a few mysterious materials that these materialistic worlds find difficult to consider. As I said earlier in my first article, this was my first visit to this mystic place, and I feel I missed out on a few...

Disciples of Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, at his cremation ceremony bringing materials to build Stupa, Sikkim 1958. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche performing rituals at Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche's funeral, Sikkim 1958.     Stupa, after his cremation, containing the relics of Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, the greatest Tibetan spiritual luminary of the 20th century, Sikkim 1958.   Photographer: Sonam Gyatso Thartse Ken Rinpoche. pic: /www.himalayanart.org 

             Tashiding Monastery: A sacred Guru Rimpoche blessed –III   Studying Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö:  ii Volker Dencks, a Frenchman, contacted me from my blog ‘ Proud to be a Sikkimese ’ and shared with me about the great Tibetan teacher in Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. He said various biographies were floating on the internet, but they don't mention Jamyang Khyentse Lodro's time in Sikkim. He further added that he was sending me some information about Jamyang Khyentse, where he needed my help. The blog ‘ Remembering the Masters ’ on Jamyang Khyentse writes that  in 1955/56, Crown Prince Thondup Namgyal traveled to Lhasa with a special mission on behalf of India's Prime Minister Pandit Nehru: An invitation for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to join the celebrations for the 2,500 year anniversary of the birth of Buddha, which would enable him to forge international alliances, drawing...

-->   Tashiding Monastery: A sacred Guru Rimpoche blessed –II Studying Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö :  i   Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö in Gangtok (approx. 1959) As we entered Tashiding, different thoughts were visiting me. I was talking to myself and was wondering about the early scenario that might have occurred out there. After the newly constructed road ended, we suddenly walked for a few minutes when we reached the monastery gate. The old monastery was the first that we came across, and a few steps ahead, the giant-looking Tashiding monastery was standing in front of us. I had peace of mind when I was at the monastery premises. I looked at those old relics inside the monastery but was not allowed to click, nevertheless I inquired about the chorten of the learned Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö but nothing pleasing to me happened. I was told by Volker Dencks, who first introduced me to Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi  Lodrö’s  vis...

--> Tashiding, in West Sikkim, was one place I wanted to visit for the last few years, but it never happened until last month, and I am in high spirits. I finally did it. Regarded as the holiest of monasteries in Sikkim, the Tashiding Monastery, over the centuries, does hold strong its own legends and folks. The first look at the faintly yellow roof of the monastery on top of a hill from the opposite roadway gave me a pleasant feel that was beyond my expectations. The Monastery is built atop a ridge between the Rangit and Ratong rivers. I am told of a legend that  Guru Padmasambhava  had shot an arrow to select his place of meditation, which is the present site of the Tashiding Monastery.  It is even said that the rock is still found at the Tashiding Monastery premises, where the great Guru meditated. One of the reasons I wanted to visit this place was to see the stupa of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, regarded as the most outstanding Tibetan master of the...

NDTV is revealing the Seven Wonders of India though voting. Sikkim is known for its tourism hub in the entire world. Sikkim is placed along with other North Eastern States and finds three representatives. The three selected wonders from Sikkim include Changu Lake, Tashiding Monastery and our Mountain deity Mt. Kanchenjunga. So vote and lets help our Sikkim be the pride of India. VOTE FOR SIKKIM http://7wondersofindia.ndtv.com/vote.aspx?id=7 Mt Kanchenjunga It is located on the border of Nepal and Sikkim, just 46 miles northwest of Darjeeling. Kangchenjunga is known for picturesque views from the hill station of Darjeeling. On a clear day, it presents an image not as much of a mountain but of a white wall hanging from the sky. It is regarded as a holy mountain of Sikkim. Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world (after Mount Everest and K2), with an altitude of 8,586 metres. Kangchenjunga translated means `The Five Treasures of Snows`, as it cont...