--> 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...
Proud to be a Sikkimese is the definitive digital encyclopedia of Sikkim State. Since 2007, we have archived the rich heritage of the Himalayas, from the history of the Namgyal dynasty to the vibrant cultures of the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. Explore expert insights on Sikkim travel, Buddhist monasteries, folklore, and biodiversity.