Samdruptse Monastery

Samdruptse Monastery has located 5 km from Namchi and is one of the most revered monasteries in Sikkim. It boasts of modern planning and architecture, one of its highlights. Perched at an altitude of 2134 m (7000 feet), Samdruptse Monastery Namchi has a giant statue of Guru Padmasambhava that overlooks the entire city. Gilded with gold and glitters, the statue looks stunning when the lights fall on it. In the local Sikkimese language called Bhutia, 'Samdruptse' means 'The Wish-Fulfilling Hill'. This is one of the main reasons for this monastery's popularity among devotees and tourists.

From the hill, one can also see the vistas of the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga. It is said that the Samdruptse hill is a dormant volcano and only prayers can retract it from erupting. That is why all the local monks are devoted to it. Within the Samdruptse Monastery's premises, you can see an ardent collection of historical artifacts, including pictures of Mahatma Gandhi. If you are a history buff, this will surely excite you.

History

The Dalai Lama laid the foundation of the Samdruptse Monastery in Namchi on 22nd October 1997. Among all the other monasteries in Sikkim, Samdruptse Monastery was established quite recently. Building this masterpiece took almost 100 laborers and various skilled and experienced sculptors, engineers, and architects. And finally, after 7 years, Samdruptse Monastery was ready to be open to the public. Today, a 2 section ropeway is under construction to connect Namchi to Samdruptse Monastery. It is under the sponsorship of the Sikkim State Government.

Architecture

The colorful Samdruptse Monastery is an amalgamation of Sikkimese, Tibetan, and modern-day styles of architecture. The most stunning feature is the 135 feet of Guru Padmasambhava statue, and it probably is the world's highest statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The statue in golden color with copper-colored clothes looks amazing.

This wonderful monastery is a treasure trove of ancient paintings, historic sculptures, artifacts, and statues. The beautiful paintings and sculptures adorn the walls of the monastery. The architecture plan of the monastery is a combination of historic and modern nuances. Covering the statue from all sides, the monastery also provides accommodation to lamas and monks.