Tashiding Monastery, Sikkim

Tashiding Monastery belongs to the Nyingma sect of the Tibetan Buddhist in Sikkim, a North East state of India. It is considered to be the most sacred and holiest monastery in Sikkim. The monastery is located on the top of the Tashiding hill between the Rathong Chu and Rangeet River. Tashiding town is the nearest town to the monastery. The literal meaning of Tashiding when translated means “The Devoted Central Glory”. According to legends, the famous Buddhist Tantrayana Master, Guru Padmasambhava visited the place in the 8th century A.D along with his followers and established Tashiding as the centre of all the religious places in Sikkim. It was founded by Ngadak Sempa Chempo Phunshok Rigzing belonging to the Nyingma sect of Buddhism. It was later renovated in 1717 by the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal. The most sacred Chorten or Stupa in Sikkim is also found in the Tashiding Monastery. Although the temple has gone under many renovations, it still consists of old structures and chorten.