Pemayangtse monastery || Pemayangtse monastery
The Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, and the headquarters of the Nyingmapa order of the Tibetan Buddhism. -œPema yang tse- meaning sublime perfect lotus was founded by Gyalwa Lhatsum Chempo, one of the three lamas who have performed the Consecration Ceremony of the first Chogyal (King) Phuntsog Namgyal at Yuksam in 1642. The main feature of this monastery is the intricately carved wooden structure heavenly sphere known as the -˜Zangdokpalri'. It's a masterpiece of art crafted single handedly out of wood by the late Dungzim Rimponche and photography is prohibited. Besides there is also a good collection of wall paintings, sculptures, precious images, thankas and a huge gold plated statue of Guru Padsambhava.
Every year the annual Cham dance festival is held on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, pilgrims from all parts of Sikkim visit the monastery to witness this festival. The dance concludes on the third day with the unfurling of the Ghyo-Ku' , a huge embroidered Buddhist scroll.