Ralang Monastery
| Ralang Monastery | |
|---|---|
 New Ralang Monastery | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
| Sect | Kagyu |
| Festivals | Pang Lhabsol, Chaam Dance (15th of the 7th month and 29th of the 10th month), Mahakala (9th month) |
| Location | |
| Location | South Sikkim, Sikkim, India |
| Country | India |
  Location within Sikkim | |
| Geographic coordinates | 27°19′42″N 88°20′05″E / 27.32833°N 88.33472°E |
New Ralang Monastery or Ralong Palchen Choling is a Buddhist monastery of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism in southern Sikkim, northeastern India. It is located six kilometres from Ravangla.[1][2]
According to legend, Ralang was built after the fourth Chogyal came back from his pilgrimage, when the 12th Karmapa[3] performed the Rabney (blessing). He threw grains from his residence in Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet and where the grains fell, eventually, became the site for the Ralang Monastery. Ralang Monastery has an extensive collection of paintings and thangkas.[1]
Construction
The old monastery underwent reconstruction in 1975-1981 and in 1995, this new monastery, known as Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute was built by the 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, which retained its Tibetan architecture.[1] The older Ralang Gompa or Karma Rabtenling monastery is located close west of this new monastery.[4]
Festival
Ralang Monastery is host to an annual festival, known as Pang Lhabsol when Mount Kangchenjunga is worshipped usually in September and ending in early December with the Kagyed.[1] Chaam masked dances are also organized every year, on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Buddhist calendar (August–September) and on the 29th day of the tenth month of the Buddhist calendar (December). The Mahakala Dance takes place every year in the month of November.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Ralang Monastery". Buddhist-temples.com. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ "Ralong Palchen Choling". The Ecclesiastical Affairs Department - Government of Sikkim. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ [1]
- ^ "Karma Rabtenling Monastery". The Ecclesiastical Affairs Department - Government of Sikkim. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
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External links
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