Pemayangtse Monastery, Pelling — the old Nyingma seat on the ridge
What it is
Pemayangtse is a monastery of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism on a hilltop near Pelling, in West Sikkim. The name means "Perfect Sublime Lotus". Wikipedia says Lama Lhatsun Chempo planned and founded it in 1647 as a small temple, that it was enlarged in 1705 and consecrated in 1710, and that it controls the other Nyingma monasteries in the state.
Photos: Anjan Kumar Kundu (CC BY 4.0) · Prof Ranga Sai (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Pure monks and a royal role
Wikipedia says the monastery was built for celibate monks "of pure lineage" and that only its monks hold the title ta-tshang. Its head lama had the privilege of anointing the Chogyals, Sikkim's kings before 1975, with holy water. Pemayangtse sits at the start of the Dzongri trek route, and it is the third stop on the circuit that also takes in Rabdentse, Sanga Choeling and Khecheopalri.
The building
The monastery stands at 2,085 m, on a spur with snow peaks behind it on two sides. It has three floors, painted walls and statues of saints. Wikipedia names the main statue, a Padmasambhava in wrathful form with many heads and arms, and says quakes struck the building in 1913 and again in 1960, with many repairs since. The grounds hold gardens and the monks' quarters, and the monastery looks over the Rabdentse ruins. About 108 monks live here, recognised by their red hats.
Getting there
From Upper Pelling a track of 1.3 km leaves the Gyalshing–Pelling road near a stupa and leads to the monastery, by Wikipedia's account. By road from the town centre, our measured time is in the quick facts. We have no verified opening hours, entry rule or fee.
Combine it with
The Rabdentse ruins are a short walk and drive away, and the Pelling ridge day joins both with the skywalk. Read things to do in Pelling and when to visit Pelling.
Plans that include this
All 2 plans that stop here →
Nearby places
All of Pelling →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
What is Pemayangtse Monastery?
A Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma order near Pelling in West Sikkim. Wikipedia says Lama Lhatsun Chempo planned it in 1647, that it was enlarged in 1705 and consecrated in 1710, and that it is among the oldest and best known monasteries in Sikkim. Its name means Perfect Sublime Lotus.
Why is Pemayangtse called a monastery of pure monks?
Wikipedia says it was built for celibate monks of pure lineage with no physical abnormality, called ta-tshang, and that only its monks hold that title. Its head lama also once anointed the Chogyals, the former kings of Sikkim, with holy water. We have no verified entry rules, so ask locally before you go.
What festival is held at Pemayangtse?
A Cham dance festival, performed by the monastery's lamas each year at the end of the Tibetan year, which Wikipedia places in February. On the last day a very large embroidered scroll is shown. Dates move with the Tibetan calendar, so confirm the year's days locally.