Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabentse Ruines, Pelling,
Sikkim
Photo,
Pictures of, Images, Picture
(October 2011) |
Pemayangtse Monastery translates literally to "Perfect Sublime Lotus."
The original shrine here is said to have been established in 1705.
Notice the bamboo scaffolding, tied together with ropes, for a paint touch up.
I hiked up here with a French couple and an English guy. It's about a 25 minute
walk from Pelling with fantastic views on clear days.
The headquarters of the Nyingma sect, Pemayangtse is one of the most famous and
second oldest Buddhist monastery of Sikkim.
These pilgrims came from Singapore to pay homage.
Traditional monks cottages.
Even though he's in monk training, he's still a kid who eats cookies and sticks
his tongue out at foreigners.
Flapping white prayer flags dedicated to world peace.
A far-flung prayer for victims of war, genocide and natural disaster worldwide.
Each building is colorfully decorated with Tibetan motifs.
Entrance to the ruins of Rabdentse, the royal capital of Sikkim from 1670 to
1814.
The ruins themselves are not so special, but they lie on a viewpoint ridge with
magnificent views.
I'm sure it must have been stupendous in its day with the Himalayan peaks
towering in the distance.
When the clouds clear, you can see the third highest peak in the world. A fine
place for a capital although the 2100 meter elevation must have made it hard to
get to.
There was no artist's interpretation of what the ancient city looked like,
so you have to use your imagination. I imagine this was a doorway.
Perhaps it was a marketplace. Or a palace.
Ancient Sikkim rulers once pondered the mountains in this exact spot.
The courtyard of some long forgotten royalty.
The stone walls of Rabdentse Ruins still stand strong.
I'm not sure if the tarps are covering restoration work or excavations.
It may have been damaged by the earthquake a few weeks ago.
Plaque describing the geography and layout of the ancient capital.
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