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| Labrang Monastery (Sikkim) | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
| Sect | Nyingmapa |
| Location | |
| Location | Sikkim, India |
  Location within India | |
| Geographic coordinates | 27°25′05″N88°34′46″E / 27.41806°N 88.57944°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Gyaltsey Rigzin Champo |
Labrang Monastery (Sikkim), Palden Phuntshog Phodrang or Palden Phuntsok Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located in North Sikkim district in Sikkim, northeastern India.
Labrang Monastery is situated 38 km from Gangtok and located on the flat ground on the hill top having altitude of 7000 ft. [1] It is surrounded by lush green jungle. It is located 2 km from Phodong Monastery. [2]
Labrang gompa was constructed in Tumlong, North Sikkim in 1826 CE and completed in 1843 CE. The founder of the monastery was Gyaltsey Rigzin Champo who was the son of King Tshugphud Nmgyal and he was the first Kapgain of the monastery. The Palden Phuntshok monastery was built by Gyalshe Rigzing Chempa in the memory of Latsun Chembo of Kongpu, Tibet. [1] Major renovation was carried out in 1978 with government aid. [3]
This monastery has retained its unique architecture as most other older wooden structures of monasteries have burnt down. The wooden pillars and roofing of Labrang monastery have been reinforced with steel.
The monastery houses a museum with a large collection of Buddha statues, sutras and murals.
Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Koshi Province of Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to the Siliguri Corridor, which borders Bangladesh. Sikkim is the least populous and second-smallest among the Indian states. Situated in the Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third-highest on Earth. Sikkim's capital and largest city is Gangtok. Almost 35% of the state is covered by Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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