Tashi Choling Monastery (Pabyuk Gonpa)
I am blessed to have got the chance to visit Tashi Choling Monastery in Pabyuk East Sikkim, it is said this monastery was founded by the Lama Ralchhen Kalzang Chhophel in the year 1875. This Gonpa was situated at such a wonderful place covered by beautiful green environment. It belongs to the tradition of Drukpa Kagyupa, which is the sub Sect of Kagyupa. Also said originally the gonpa was a small mud hermitage with thatch roof which was destroyed by a fire. The present structure was built at the same site and is a wooden structure with stone walls. The building has an inter-locking system of wooden beams where no nails are required to hold them. These wooden posts and beams can be seen in the third floor present days. The monastery holds some interesting artifacts such as a bell trance of the Gonpa. It is said to have been brought from Tibet in the olden days by a trader who wanted to sell it to the Gonpa for five Rupees. As the lamas could n...