Hee Gyathang Monastery



Hee Gyathang Monastery, Sikkim

Detail of Hee Gyathang Monastery (Sikkim) History & Architecture


The Hee Gyathang Monastery is one amongst the most sacred and important monasteries of Sikkim. It is situated in the Northern part of Sikkim and is gifted with the utmost natural and scenic beauty which nature can provide. You would be amazed to know that the Hee Gyathang Monastery is one of the most picturesque places of Sikkim. The background of the mountains, lush green forests and soft breezy winds will make any visitor make every effort to come back for more in his next visit.

Hee Gyathang Monastery Mythology & History

The mythology of the Hee Gyathang Monastery has it that it was constructed when the villagers of the Hee Gyathang Village has no place to offer their prayers. This need of a shrine was sensed by the noble Lama whose name was Abi Putso Rangdrol and thereby he started off with the ideology of constructing a shrine for the villagers. Later on this idea was supported by other villagers and several monks. But the drawback of the shrine was that it was constructed in a very isolated place and so it caused huge problem to the villagers in visiting it. So, as a result the Hee Gyathang Monastery was shifted to another site which was close enough from the village. But the furies of nature worked in the opposite direction and the Hee Gyathang Monastery had to face great destruction. Later, the site of the monastery was again shifted to where it is today and finally the construction of the Hee Gyathang Monastery was completed in the year 1914 A.D. And it is since then there is no looking back as the monastery is standing tall and welcoming each visitor with immense pride and prestige. The Hee Gyathang Monastery follows the rituals and traditions of the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.

Hee Gyathang Monastery Architecture

The architecture of the Hee Gyathang Monastery is immensely amazing and represents the exact aspects which a Tibetan Style of architecture has. The first look of the Hee Gyathang Monastery will make you think as to, "how this huge monastery was made"? But as and when you will get into the monastery you shall understand the hard work and effort which would have been put during that time to construct this master piece.

The Hee Gyathang Monastery has three floors and two gompas above the three floors which add that extra charm to the monastery. The Hee Gyathang Monastery is very colorful and has got big doors and windows which thereby make the monastery a ventilated one. You can find various flags at the entrance of the monastery accompanied by the evenly cut grass on the ground. It is these small things which highlight the look of the place and make it a peaceful one.

The Hee Gyathang Monastery has got the architectural plan which includes a different place for the meditation as well. If you think this is it! Then you are sadly mistaken as there is much more which this sacred monastery has to offer you.

There are many historical artifacts, paintings, statues and religious sculptures which definitely draw your attention here. Some walls of the monastery are itself painted in such a way that they depict the historical happenings with the Buddhist dignitaries of ancient era.

Festivals at Hee Gyathang Monastery

The Hee Gyathang Monastery celebrates all the festivals of the Buddhism with immense enthusiasm. The masked dance by the monks, the religious rituals, narration of sacred hymns, tasty food, colorful fireworks at night; you name it and you shall find it as a part of the festive celebrations here.