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3. Research Institute
of Tibetology - The Namgyal Research
Institute of Tibetology is a world-renowned
research centre for Tibetan Buddhism and is
well stocked with rare books and manuscripts
on Buddhism. Contains rare collection of
antique like coins, statues, rosaries, antic
documents, brass bells, dorjis, and thankas.
Ti has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes
on diverse subjects like astrology,
philosophy, magic and religion. It conducts
research in the fields of language and
culture of Tibet. The foundation was laid in
1957 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and was
inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in
October 1958. It also has a number of
religious art and craftwork as well as books
for sale. It's vast wealth of Lepcha,
Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts attracts
scholars from all corners of the world. The
institute is open from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM,
Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday,
Second Saturdays and on Government holidays. |
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4. Rumtek Monastery -
It is about 24 km From Gangtok nested in a
lovely landscape. The first monastery was
built in 1717 At Rumtek by the then Chogyal
Gyurmed Namgyal, but was destroyed by the
earthquake and aging. His Holiness the late
16th Gyalwa Karmapa constructed the second
monastery in 1960. It is the headquarters of
the Kagyu-pa (Red Hat) sect of the Tibetan
lamaistic Buddhism. It is an excellent
replica of the original Kagyu headquarters
at Tsurpu in Tibet. It houses some of the
world's most unique art objects, ancient
manuscripts and icons. Above the Rumtek
Dharma Chakra Centre is a hermitage where
the monks go into complete seclusion for
meditation for a period of three years. The
important chaam (religious masked dance) is
performed on the 10 th day of the 5th month
of the Tibetan Calendar, and presence eight
manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche. This is
highly colourful and spectacular and draws
many pilgrims and visitors. Prayers at about
0400 and 1800 hours. |
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