SIKKIMSIKKIM Sikkim is a mountainous state in India surrounded by Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. Originally the Lepcha ethnic tribe lived here and later, a Tibetan tribe migrated in the 17th century. Thus the architecture of Sikkim mirrors mainly the traditions of these two tribes. The noteworthy buildings mostly comprise Buddhist gompas (monasteries) because the state has cultural links with Ladakh and Tibetan Buddhism. Situated in the eastern Himalayas, the serene environment of Sikkim offers its tourists with a rare experience. The temples, monasteries and ruined palaces make Sikkim one of the most visited places of east India. . The Pemayangtse monastery of Sikkim is the second oldest and the most important of all monastery. The Labrang monastery situated in north Sikkim is a much older structure.MONASTERIES There are almost nearly two hundred monasteries or Gompas belonging to either the Nyingmapa Sect or the Kargyupa Sect. The monastery is a home to numerous religious idols and other objects of worship. It is the main monastery of the Kargyupa Sect. Rumtek monastery was started in the 11th century. It is endowed with a unique architectural style and is one of the premier monasteries of Sikkim. A closed corridor and smaller shrines surround the main shrine. most of which are expensive because of their antique value. TIBETAN ARCHITECTURE Tibetan architecture is one of the most simple. Flat roofs are built to conserve heat and multiple windows are constructed to let in the sunlight. Due to frequent earthquakes. colourful and splendid form of art. Rocks. can be seen on nearly every temple in Sikkim. Its simplicity brings out the temperament and character of the lives and people of the place. Tibetan Buddhist architecture. For example. . walls are usually sloped inward at 10 degrees. has been highly influenced by China and India. the Buddhist prayer wheel. in the cultural regions of the Tibetan people. cement and earth are the primary building materials. sunny sites facing the south. wood. along with two dragons. Many of the houses and monasteries are typically built on elevated. The column and capital are made up of three wooden members. as well as the triad of the Buddhist religious order: the teacher (the Buddha).TIBETAN ARCHITECTURE The symbolic importance of the timber frame structure is reinforced by the use of numerology. according to Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. in the design of the structure. Particularly significant is the number three. called the shu-chen. which is prevalent in Tibetan Buddhist teachings. called the shu-chung. which represents the three levels of existence. This proportional hierarchy appears in the construction of the columnsand capitals which support the heavy timber floor beams and in the three levels of the temple. the teachings (the Dharma) and the religious community (the Sangha). of which the first piece. giving them a special status within the iconography of Tibetan architecture. these framing members are also richly decorated with carved and painted motifs. . supports the second and top piece. In both the Tibetan temple and dwelling. with the column supporting a capital made up of two pieces. THE PRAYER TURBINES CALLED MANÉ THE RICH COLOURS OF THE MUSEUM O TIBETOLOGY . HAND-CARVED PILLAR OF TIBETOLOGY RABDENTSE RUINS OF THE 17TH CENTURY . and of course most of these monasteries were destroyed by the Chinese during the “Cultural Revolution” along with huge amounts of furniture. and the population of Tibet has always been so small that not much was ever made. Except for the wealthy. it is noted more for its sometimes lavishly painted surface and/or carved decoration than for its joinery. TRADITIONAL TIBETAN FURNITURE . Most of it was probably always found in the monasteries.TIBETAN FURNITURE Furniture from Tibet has always been quite rare. Tibetans used very little furniture in their homes. Made primarily from pine and other Himalayan soft woods. for example the Jains and Newar Buddhists. In Buddhism these symbols of good fortune represent the offerings that were made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he attained enlightenment. the endless knot. pair of golden fish.TIBETAN MOTIFS & SYMBOLS The eight Buddhist auspicious symbols consist of – a parasol. the great treasure vase. The symbols differed between different groups. the banner of victory and the wheel of dharma. 8 SYMBOLS OF GOOD FORTUNE . a lotus. the right turning conch. ” Four of the triangles points upwards. Five of these triangles point downwards. Sri-Yantra . a lotus of sixteen petals. Together the nine triangles are interlaced in such a way as to form 43 smaller triangles in a web symbolic of the entire cosmos or a womb symbolic of creation. “the beauty of the three worlds. It represents Sri Lakshmi. Thus the Sri Yantra also represents the union of Masculine and Feminine Divine. the goddess of abundance on all levels. representing Shakti or the Feminine. and an earth square resembling a temple with four doors. It also represents Tripura Sundari. SRIThe Sri Chakra or Shri Yantra is formed by nine YANTRA interlocking triangles that surround and radiate out from the bindu point. This is surrounded by a lotus of eight petals. in abstract geometric form. representing Shiva or the Masculine. the junction point between the physical universe and its unmanifest source. WOOD ART IN SIKKIM MONASTERIES – WINDOWS. But the use of softer colors. DOORS AND PILLARS The design of the Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim is heavily influenced by Tibetan designs and bears a close similarity to the visuals seen on the other side of the Himalayas. . floral motifs and curvilinear patterns give the Sikkimese monasteries a unique character that is probably prettier. . also popularly known as The Dharmachakra Centre. is the largest monastery in Sikkim. The place around the monastery has many holy objects. SIKKIM Rumtek Monastery is situated in eastern part of Sikkim. . a three-year retreat centre. which contains the precious relics of 16th Karmapa. a protector's shrine. The Dharma Chakra Centre comprises a beautifully structured main shrine temple and monastery with monks' quarters. institutions for the lay community and other establishments. It is 24 kilometers away from state capital.Gangtok. stupas. nunnery. a monastic college. This monastery. also the home for monk community. where the relics of the Sixteenth Karmapa are enshrined.RUMTEK MONASTERY. One of the beautiful objects is the Golden Stupa. Rumtek is located at an altitude of about 5800 feet (1547 metres). .CONSTRUCTION OF RUMTEK The construction for the new Rumtek Monastery MONASTERY and other essential facilities started in the year 1962. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister then. The major part of the construction was funded by the royal family of Sikkim and the Government of India. This monastery was the first monastery built in India in the conventional style. and became an example for several other monasteries built later throughout the country. It took four years for the completion of construction process. The entire monastery is gorgeously wrapped with wall paintings. The key structure of the monastery is sternly according to the conventional architectural designs of the Tibetan monasteries. The monastery was completed in the year 1966. murals and frescoes of traditional Tibetan style paintings. .ARTISTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF RUMTEK MONASTERY The architecture of Rumtek is unique and fabulous. One will be able to see the harmony of the lives of monks. a golden stupa and a magnificent Buddha statue. experience the heritage of Buddhism and get a chance to know more about the ancient history of Buddhism. The monastery contains a marvelous main temple. a monastic college where the relics of the Sixteenth Karmapa are preserved. The entire structure is magnificently covered with beautiful murals. amongst others . Within the monastery are the paintings of the Kagyu lineage. The main structure of the Rumtek Monastery is strictly as per the traditional architectural designs of the Tibetan monasteries. and traditional Tibetan style paintings. carved and painted woodwork. known as ‘ghanzira’.ARCHITECTURAL STYLE The entire complex of the Rumtek Monastery encloses a beautifully structured shrine temple and a monastery for the monks. and the Genduk Chogngi. frescoes. the eight great Bodhisattvas. the sixteen Arhats. The rooftop of the Rumtek Monastery is comprised of four storied golden sculpture. There are also monks’ quarters where the Karmapa resides and where most of the important relics are enshrined. Exterior detail of monastery Interior detail of monastery . The complex is a fine example of Tibetan monastic architecture. LINGDUM (RANKA MONASTERY) This monastery is situated on the Rumtek Ranka . about 45 minutes drive from Gangtok. .PAL ZURMANG KAGYUD MONASTERY.Gangtok road at Lingdum. FEATURES . . SIKKIM .CARVED AND PAINTED COLORFUL ENTRANCE BUDDHIST MONASTERY. EXTERIOR OF BUDDHIST MONASTERY. SIKKIM . .LARGE COLORFUL PRAYER WHEEL IN BUDDHIST MONASTERY. HAND CRAFTED AND PAINTED WINDOW AND PRAYER WHEELS IN BUDDHIST MONASTERY . HAND CRAFTED AND PAINTED WINDOWS IN BUDDHIST MONASTERY . LEPCHA TRADITIONAL HOUSE . BHUTIA TRADITIONAL HOUSE . NEPALI TRADITIONAL HOUSE . MODERN TIBETAN TRADITIONAL HOUSE . THANK YOU .