Phensang Monastery



Phensang Monastery, Sikkim

Detail of Phensang Monastery (Sikkim) History & Architecture


The Phensang Monastery is situated in the northern part of the state of Sikkim. You can easily reach the place by taking busses and jeeps as it is located on the slope widening from the Kabi to Phodong. If you consider the sites of the Phensang Monastery then you will surely witness it to be one of the most picturesque sites of the entire Sikkim. The Jaw dropping sites of the Phensang Monastery will surely make you realize that you are at a very right place.

The path through the roadway is quite steep and will give a run to your back but as the wise saying goes, "No pains- No gains". And exactly is the scenario of the place as you get to see sites which are worth every effort you make but for it you shall have to make that effort to travel from the ups and downs of the road tracks.

Phensang Monastery Mythology & History

It is believed that the Phensang Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim as it was built in 1721. You will be amazed to know that the Phensang Monastery was built in Sikkim when Kingship existed in the country. It was during the ruling period of Jigme Pawo that the Phensang Monastery was constructed in Sikkim.

Phensang Monastery Architecture

The architecture of the Phensang Monastery is a Tibetan style of architecture and is really antique in every sense. The Phensang Monastery has got a structure which is very spacious from inside with big halls and good thought process of ventilation. The Phensang Monastery has ground and a first floor. And the height at which each ceiling is made is remarkable and it is because of this very reason that the monastery looks very spacious and very peaceful.

In the Monastery you shall be able to spot some of the very old statues, paintings, sculptures and artifacts. There is a special place in the monastery where you shall be able to spot the remains of the very privileged Buddhist Monks who have right fully set standards for all the other monks and the Lamas to follow.

The monastery also has a designated place where classes for the young lamas take place. It is here that the young Monks are taught about their culture and tradition and more importantly about how to be a right human being.

The Phensang Monastery has got place for the Monks and the Lamas to stay as well.

All in all we can state that only a look at the Phensang Monastery will make you understand about the planning and the thought process behind the details of the Monastery. And never the less the beautiful and serene spot of the Monastery adds that cherry to the cake.

Festivals at Phensang Monastery

The most important festival which is celebrated in the Phensang Monastery takes place on the 28th and the 29th days of the tenth month that is as per the Tibetan Calendar. And as per the Tibetan calendar the tenth month is December. It is at this festival that tourists from around the globe come to visit the Phensang Monastery.

The most famous thing about this festival is the "Chaam" which means the mask dance which is performed by the monks and the lamas of the monastery. The amazing thing about the monastery is that it is a home to about 300 monks. This Chaam dance is so famous that every year just to witness this dance form, most of the people from the other states of India make it a point to be at the Phensang Monastery at this time.