Phodong Monastery

Built at an altitude of about 4500 feet, one of the six most important monasteries of Sikkim, founded by Chogyal Gyur Namgyal, who was then the ruler of Sikkim, in the 18th century is Phodong Buddhist monastery. This monastery belonging to the Karma Kagyu cult is known for its beautiful frescoes and paintings. The grand view of the mountains and deep valleys visible from here makes the tourists enchanted. The actual structure of this monastery destroyed in an earthquake that occurred many years ago. After that, after the financial assistance from the Government in 1977, Lamas rebuilt this monastery.The new monastery now built is much bigger and grand than the previous building. The ancient frescoes from the monastery preserved at the National Museum in Delhi. After the construction of the new monastery completed, those paintings restored. The place also mentioned in the writings of the French traveler Alexandra David Neil. He spent a few years here in early 1912, and during that time he received the knowledge of Buddhism, under the supervision of the third Lachen Goma-chan. Alexandra was gifted a statue of Lord Buddha by the tenth ruler of Sikkim, Chogyal Sidkiyung Tulk. But after Alexander died in 1969, this statue of Buddha was returned to Monastery. Here some photos of that woman can be seen even today on the first floor in the monastery. Like other monasteries, a festival is organized here on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month according to the Tibetan calendar. In which the Buddhist monks living here perform special six dances and perform other spiritual rituals. Around 260 Buddhist monks live here at present, and they pray regularly. Presently, this monastery considered to be one of the most beautiful monasteries of Sikkim.