Enchey Monastery

3.6 / 5 Hills Valleys, Rivers Lakes,

About Enchey Monastery

Far From City: 1 kms from city center
Cost: About Enchey Monastery Weather: Time Required:1-2 hours Open Time:9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Cost:No entry fee

Architecture of Enchey Monastery The Enchey Monastery was constructed in 1840 by the eighth Chogyal after which the small hamlet of Gangtok grew into a pilgrim place. The monastery was built in 1909 just like a Chinese Pagoda during the rule of Sikyong Tulku. The foundation of the monastery was laid down at the exact same point where Lama Druptub Karbo had his hermitage. The monastery also consists of a shining golden cupola on the top and houses a variety of images of Gods, religious objects and Goddesses. The principal deities worshipped here include Loki Sharia, Lord Buddha, and Guru Padmasambhava. The walls of the large prayer hall are entirely covered with paintings, and murals of the four religious kings, the deities of the four cardinal directions and the galaxy of Mahayana Buddhist deities. The manuscripts of scriptures are stored in an almirah. The regal monastery has four pillars which support it and are exquisitely carved. The Enchey Monastery which was constructed under the Nyingma order houses a total of 90 monks inside. The windows are ornately carved and painted. There is an extensive collection of masks in the monastery which is used for the various ritual dances that are held here every year. It also has a serene atmosphere just like its name and maintains a really good library worth visiting. There are colorful prayer flags fluttering around the monastery as well which create a very peaceful environment altogether. Festivals Celebrated in Enchey Monastery Many festivals are celebrated in the Enchey Monastery including the Detor Cham which is a colourful and lively Cham dance festival that takes place on the 18th and 19th day of the 12th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. The Singhe Chaam is another festival that is celebrated in the monastery once in every three years. Pang Lhabsol is another festival wherein there is blood-brotherhood swearing between the Lepchas and Bhutias in the presence of Khangchendzonga as a witness. In the Cham dances, which are masked dances, the dancers wear ornate dresses to perform dances that represent the Tibetan deity figurines of the Mahakala who is the protector and mythical snow lions both of which show a third eye on their foreheads to show the need for inner reflection. The dance festivals take place before the Losar, the Tibetan New Year day and Losoong.

Best time to visit Enchey Monastery You can be a part of the Detor Cham festival which is organized every year in September and October. During this festival, you can enjoy the famous Monks Cham Dance. Also, since the monastery is situated on a high altitude, it becomes difficult to reach during winters and when there is heavy rainfall. How to Reach Enchey Monastery The monastery is situated on the Nathula-Gangtok road which is why it can easily be reached via road. You can also hire a taxi from Gangtok and reach the Enchey Monastery in 15 to 20 minutes or walk all the way till there. You can stop on the way and ask for directions from the locals.

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