Monasteries of Sikkim - Enchey Monastery

Enchey Monastery or the high quiet place built in 1840 and rebuilt in 1909 by Sidkeong Tulku is connected with the life of Lama Drupthob Karpo who lived during the reign of Chogyal Tenzing Namgyal. Born at Lingding, he entered the Ralang Monastery as a monk. Raised to the post of Chi-nyer (steward), he was dismissed from the monastery for some misbehaviour. He settled in Maenam hill and meditated there obtaining siddhic powers. He then flew from Maenam hill in South Sikkim to a hilltop above Gangtok where he built a hut and meditated. The site of hut is where the present monastery stands. Lama Karma Sherab also famed for the powers of levitation lived in a cell on the same site.

The present monastery is built in the shape of a Chinese pagoda representing Riwo-tse-nga or the sacred mountain of five peaks in China which is also considered the abode of Jampelyang, the Buddha of Knowledge. The five rooftops symbolize the heavens of the five celestial Buddhas – Amogasiddhi or Dhonyoe Drupa, Akshobhaya or Minthukpa, Ratna Sambhava or Rinchen Chongna, Amitabha or Opa-med and Vairocana or Nampar Nandze.

The monastery is also house to a sungter which is a small statue placed at main altar. People gather to witness the Gutor Chaam which takes place on the 28th and 29th of the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar.

Places of interest around Gangtok town

Excursions