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Nederlands (nl-NL) Explore the Spiritual Depth of Pelling: Discover the ethereal world of Tibetan spirituality in Pelling, Sikkim, with a video lasting just over 19 minutes. Witness an authentic Buddhist ceremony held at the venerable Sangchen Pemayangtse Monastery, perched amidst the Indian Himalayas. Experience the chanting of monks, traditional Tibetan instruments, and the overall aura of tranquility. As a special addition, journey to the ruins of Rabdentse, Sikkim's ancient capital, offering a compelling blend of history and natural beauty. Although originally planned Cham dances were canceled, this alternative experience proves to be equally captivating. Don't miss this unique blend of culture, history, and spirituality.
This film was made on the basis of photos and videos taken during the trip Buddhist India • Sikkim • Bihar • West Bengal (EN)
A click on this icon above displays the list of chapters of this film about Sikkim • northeastern state of India in India. A click on a dot goes directly to a chapter.
Reading the text below will help you better understand the cultural context of the images in this video.
Chapters:
00:13 • Pelling • Sangchen Pemayangtse monastery
00:59 • Buddhist ceremony
13:01 • Rabdentse
14:53 • Sangocholin monastery (Sanga Choeling)
Tibetan New Year in Pelling
Cham dance ceremonies were planned at Pemayangtse Monastery on the occasion of the Tibetan New Year celebrations. Cham dances are masked and costumed dances accompanied by music performed by Tibetan monks.
Due to the death of the grand lama of the temple in the previous days, these dances were canceled.
Sangchen Pemayangtse monastery
We had the privilege of attending a Buddhist ceremony in the Sangchen Permayangtse temple near Pelling in Sikkim, in the Indian Himalayas.
This bewitching religious ceremony during which the monks recite their prayers accompanied by the sound of the drum and Tibetan horns called randong and very gripping. This ceremony lasts for hours on end, and honestly, it's hard to be a welder. We could walk around the monastery at our leisure, but it is not recommended to take pictures there. The ceremony shown in this film was therefore filmed discreetly, which explains the sometimes lower quality of the video.
The monastery overlooking the site of Rabdentse is one of the oldest in Sikkim.
Rabdentse
A few hundred meters from the Sangchen Permayangtse monastery are the ruins of the ancient capital of the kingdom of Sikkim, Rabdentse. Rabdentse was the capital of the kingdom between 1670 and 1814. The city was destroyed by Nepalese and Bhutanese troops and currently only sees the ruins of the palace and the chortens (stupas). On a clear day you can see the Himalayan Range very well from the ruins of Rabdentse, but unfortunately when we went it was very foggy.
the Sanga Choeling monastery
The Sanga Choeling (or Sange Choeling or Sangacholin) monastery was built in the 17th century and is one of the oldest in Sikkim. Located on a ridge at the top of Pelling, you have to take a winding and steep path to get there. But this sanctuary is well worth these efforts ...
It is a monastery of Tibetan architecture. This monastery houses a number of paintings as well as ancient clay statues, some dating from the 17th century.
Spoken comments in the film:
We had planned to attend a Cham masked dance in a monastery in Pelling on the occasion of the Tibetan New Year.
Unfortunately, the lama of the monastery has just passed away, the show has been cancelled.
We attended a prayer session instead of the choreography. I'm not sure we lost out.
What's the weather like in Pelling?
Links to related pages
• Main dynasties that ruled the region •
• Monuments • Traditions •
Pelling • Sangchen Pemayangtse Monastery - Spiritual Hub & Historic Jewel
Pelling • Sikkim, Rabdentse - An Open-Air History Book
Pelling • Sanga Choeling Monastery - Spirit & History
Pelling • Ceremony at Sangchen Pemayangtse Monastery
about the place, Pelling:
Pelling is a small town in Sikkim in the Indian Himalayas. The whole region has remained strongly Buddhist and there are among others the Pemayangtse and Sanga Choeling monasteries.
Pelling was until recently relatively isolated from the world, with a somewhat haphazard bus service connecting the city to the capital Gangtok. However, the tourist attraction of the city has greatly changed the infrastructure and road works have greatly improved traffic conditions.
Music:
- YouTube video library - A Revelation
- YouTube video library - Anamalie, (© Anamalie by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500007
Artist: http://incompetech.com/)
- YouTube video library - People Watching
Disclaimer: Despite its appropriateness, copyright issues prevent the use of indian traditional music in "Pelling • A Buddhist ceremony at the monastery • Sikkim, India", hence the use of royalty-free music. Despite our careful selection, some might regret this decision, which is necessary to avoid potential lawsuits. Although difficult, this decision is the only viable solution.
