Sanga Choeling Monastery, Pelling - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 1.5 km from Upper Pelling- Football Ground, Sanga Choeling Monastery or Sange Choeling Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery situated in Pelling town of Sikkim. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim and among the best Places to visit in Pelling.

Sanga Choeling Monastery, means the place of secret spells, was built in 1697 CE by Lama Lhatsun Chempo. Located atop a high ridge, this is extremely acclaimed among the followers of the Nyingmapa sect of the ancient school of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient times, Guhyamantra i.e. secret mantras were taught here. The monastery only houses male monks and belongs to the Nyingma sector. Entry into the inner sanctum of Sanga Choeling Monastery is strictly restricted to the Bhutia and Lepcha communities.

Built in a Tibetan style of architecture, the monastery was affected by fire several times and was rebuilt, but it still preserves various ancient paintings, accessories and clay statues. Also after Lhatsun's death his costumes, worship articles were preserved in this monastery in the form of sacred relics. Clay statues in this second oldest monastery in Sikkim are dating back to the 17th Century. An old crematorium is also located near the Sanga Choeling Monastery, which has seen use from last three centuries.

This monastery provides a beautiful view of the great Himalayan range and the Pemayangtse Monastery. Pilgrimage to Sanga Choeling Monastery is undertaken by many Buddhist devotees as part of a religious and heritage circuit encompassing Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins, Khecheopalri Lake, Norbugang Chorten, Dubdi Monastery, Yuksom and Tashiding Monastery.

The monastery is accessed by walking the steep hilly track of 1.5 km, which traverses through rich forest cover. Although this monastery is open only to the Bhutia and Lepcha communities, one can still admire its beautiful architecture from outside.

Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM