Lachung Monastery (also known as Lachung Gompa or Samten Choling Monastery) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect located in the Lachung Valley in Mangan District, in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. It is situated in the village of Lachung, at an elevation of approximately 3,000 m (9,600 ft), near the confluence of the Lachung River and Lachen River, tributaries of the Teesta River.
History
The establishment date of Lachung Monastery is recorded differently across sources. According to the Government of Sikkim's Ecclesiastical Department, the monastery (known locally as Lachung Samten Choling Gonpa) was built in the iron-dog year of the XIVth Rabjung cycle, corresponding to 1850 AD. It was originally associated with Bon worship before being converted into a Buddhist monastery by local residents to strengthen Buddhist faith in the region. Other sources, including Wikipedia, record the establishment year as 1880.
In 1930, a statue of Buddha, a statue of a Guru, a statue of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) made of copper, along with Kangyur and Tengyur texts, were brought from Tibet as foundational religious treasures for the monastery. The monastery underwent renovation and remodeling by the lamas in 1983.
Affiliation and Sect
The monastery belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism, one of the oldest schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Architecture and Features
The monastery features traditional Tibetan Buddhist architectural elements. Its prayer halls house ancient Buddhist scriptures, thangka paintings, murals, and statues depicting various Buddhist deities and symbols. The monastery is situated on a hilltop, offering views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape.
Festivals and Cultural Events
Lachung Monastery hosts an annual mask dance (Cham dance) during the winter season, a traditional Buddhist ritual performance in which monks wear colorful costumes and perform ceremonial dances. The monastery also observes Losar (Tibetan New Year) and other major Buddhist festivals.
Location and Access
The monastery is located approximately 118 km from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, via the North Sikkim Highway. It is approximately 50 km from Mangan, the district headquarters. Lachung is the last settlement before the Indo-Chinese border. Visitors to North Sikkim, including Lachung, are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Indian nationals or a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreign nationals.
Nearby Attractions
The monastery is located near several notable tourist destinations in North Sikkim, including Yumthang Valley (known as the "Valley of Flowers"), Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Zero Point (Yumesamdong), and Naga Falls.
References
- Government of Sikkim, Ecclesiastical Department: Lachung (Samten Choling) Monastery
- Wikipedia: Lachung Monastery
- Tshog Dag Foundation: Lachung Monastery - A Story of Renewal
