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Another Buddhist pilgrimage which comes under the Nyingma order is the Tashiding Monastery which is situated in southern Sikkim. The monastery is actually located on a hill top which lies between two rivers namely Rangeet and Rathong. The monastery is 19 km from Yuksom and 40 km from Gyalshing. Tashiding Monastery is a part of the circuit of the Buddhist pilgrimages which consists of the Dubdi Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins, Norbugang Chorten, Khecheopalri Lake and Sanga Choeling Monastery.
The literal meaning of the word Tashiding is "The Devoted Central Glory". Ngadak Sempa Chempo Phunshok Rigzing from the Nyingma sect was the one who found this Monastery in the year 1641. During the reign of third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal in the year 1717 the Tashiding Monastery was renovated and further developed.
History: The monastery is located todat at a place where a small Lhakhang was constructed by Ngadak Chemp in the 17th century. In reign of Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal this was developed and built into the present Tashiding pilgrimage. Pedi Wangmo was the person who constructed the main monastery and in addition to this he also installed the idols which are still present there. The flagstones which surround the monastery have been crafted by Yanchong Lodil. The Chortens are very holy which have been made by Lhatsun Chenpo.
Architecture: The complete area of the monastery in the Tashiding town is divided into five different blocks namely, the main market, the Sinem market place, the Chorten area, the outskirts and the main Tashiding Monastery. The Sinek market is situated on the ridge between the two rivers. A gompa which is called Sinolochu Gompa is present here from where we can directly reach to the southern direction of the Tashiding Monastery.
From the main market we can reach the monastery via road or in other words by following the footpath. The Chorteh area consists of 41 differently categorized namely Chortens of Great Miracle, Chotens of Enlightenment and Chortens of Reconciliation.
The main temple has been renovated and rebuilt in the modern times however it is still surrounded by chortens and traditional buildings which hold the ruins of Sikkim Lamas and Chogyals which includes the 'Thong-Wa-rang-Dol' chorten which is believed to clean the soul of the people who look at it.
Festivals: Bhumchu is the Buddhist festival which is celebrated here to predict the future. Bhumchu word literally means a pot of water. On this occasion a divine pot filled with the holy water of river Rathong chhu kept in the monastery for a year. The stored water is opened for worship and public display every year, a night before the Full Moon day of the first month of Tibetan calendar. The main reason of celebrating this festival is to emphasize the importance of water which is a valuable resource to be preserved.
Travel Route:
- Airway: The closest airport is Bagdogra which is 124 km away from here.
- Railway: New Jalpaiguri is the most convenient and nearest railway station to reach Tashiding Monastery.
- Roadway: Bus and taxi services are available from New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Yoksum pass to reach Tashiding.
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