Enchey Monastery is in Gangtok. This has become a famous tourist location due to its captivating location surrounded by tall pine trees, flowery meadows, and a beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga Hills.
Legend has it that Lama Druptob Karpo, a famous tantric with flying powers, flew down to the Maenam Hill and built a hermitage at this exquisite location which was later renovated under the rule of Sidkeong Tulku in the Chinese Pagoda style. Talk about a sky-high construction project!
Inside the Enchey Monastery, you’ll find a massive metal-roofed prayer hall filled with numerous images of Gods, Goddesses, and Tantric. The monks chant in perfect sync with the wheel of law, which ripples in the porch. And if you’re lucky enough to visit during the festivals, you’ll witness the monks wearing masks and performing the Chaam dance. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss!
But that’s not all. The Enchey Monastery also houses a library worth visiting and a collection of masks used for the various ritual dances. And if you’re interested in learning about the culture of the monks or their history, this is the place for you.
Now, if you’re up for the challenge, you can hike all the way to Enchey Monastery, but let’s be real, who has that kind of energy? You can easily hire a taxi from Gangtok and reach the monastery in just 15 to 20 minutes. But be warned, Enchey Monastery is situated on a high altitude, so it might be a bit of a struggle to reach during the winter or heavy rainfall.