Detail of Phodong Monastery (Sikkim) History & Architecture

Yes, you read it right! The Phodong Monastery is one amongst the six most important monasteries in the entire state of Sikkim. The Phodong monastery is also the most picturesque places as it is situated on an altitude of about 4500 feet above the ground. One of the factors which differentiate the Phodong Monastery from the other monasteries is the fact that it belongs to the Kargyupa sect of Buddhism. And thereby it is considered to be the first in being so in Sikkim. You can easily reach the Phodong Monastery from Magan through a private taxi or a jeep.

The Phodong Monastery is just 38 km away from the capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok and thereby just a km away from the main road. However, if you visit Phodong Monastery then you shall be able to visit the other two monasteries as well which are nearby, namely: Labrang and Phensang. So if you want to experience the best of not just one monastery but three then you should surely visit the Phodong Monastery.

Phodong Monastery Mythology & History

It is believed that the Phodong Monastery was built in the first quarter of the 18th century and thereby is one of the oldest and the most famous monasteries of Sikkim. The person who made the Phodong Monastery possibly standing tall in Sikkim today is Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal. The Phodong Monastery is a major representation of the culture and tradition of the Karmapa and Kagyupa sect of Buddhism.

Phodong Monastery Architecture

The Phodong Monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful monasteries of Sikkim. There are two factors which help the monastery in being so. First is the natural and scenic beauty around the monastery and second is the architecture of the monastery.

The Phodong Monastery is having Tibetan style of architecture with a different edge which can only be understood by a visit to this very place. The monastery has got two floors and is incredibly spacious. You would like the appearance of the monastery as it is very colorful and interesting.

The most attractive thing about the Phodong Monastery is that it has got ancient murals and paintings still intact. And it is these murals and paintings which attract a larger number of tourists each year.

The Phodong Monastery is a home for about 260 monks and it is these monks who make the monastery a lively place to be. However, the Phodong Monastery is not in its original state as it was destructed in a fire accident. But many say that it looks even better after the reconstruction.

Festivals at Phodong Monastery

The main festival which is held in the Phodong Monastery is the Loosang; the annual festival which is hosted each year on the 28th and the 29th days of the tenth month that is as per the Tibetan calendar. This festival is also celebrated in other monasteries like Ralang and Rumtek but the scenic beauty which you can get only on a 4500 feet altitude adds on to that edge of Phodong Monastery's annual festival and makes it a better place to be. The most famous thing about this annual festival is the "Chaam Dance" which is performed with great zeal and remarkable enthusiasm by the monks of the monastery. The dance form looks very attractive also because of the colorful masks used in it. So to witness the true beauty of what Sikkim has got come visit the Phodong Monastery and you shall know what you were missing all these days!