Norbugang Chorten
Encyclopedia
The Norbugang Chorten is situated in the Geyzing
subdivision of West Sikkim
district in the Indian State of Sikkim
. It was erected following the crowning of the first Chogyal
of Sikkim in 1642 at Narbugong Coronation Throne near Yuksom
. A holy lake known as Kuthok Lake, a serene lake, is also linked to the historicity of the place. The Chorten was the place where Lama Lhutsun Chempo created the time capsule by burying all the gifts to mark the occasion.
The Norbugang Chorten and the Norbugang throne are visited as part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit involving the Dubdi Monastery
, Pemayangtse Monastery
, the Rabdentse
ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery
, the Khecheopalri Lake
, and the Tashiding Monastery
.
s and Magarsof the area, who had accompanied Phunshog to Yuksom Norbugang for the coronation ceremony, had presented a large number of treasures to the lamas, particularly to Lhatsun Chhempo. After the crowning ceremony was performed by the lamas according to procedures prescribed in the scriptures, the lamas decided to build the Trashi-wod-hBar-Chorten at Norbugang. For this purpose, they collected earth and stones from all parts of Sikkim. They then built the chorten with the materials collected and also buried within it all the gifts that Lhatsun Chhempo had received from the people. The benediction and consecration ceremonies performed by the lamas at the Norbugang Chorten lasted for 21 days.
town, which encloses a prayer hall, large prayer wheel, the Norbugang Chorten (stupa
), and the purported Coronation Throne (Norbugang) set below a large cryptomeria
pine
. The wooden head board at the location of the throne, made of stone, appears like an altar.
The Norbugang Coronation throne, which has the "appearance of an old Olympic Medal Podium" is made of stones, which has been white washed now. The stone throne has four seats, with the top one intended for Lama Lhatsun Chhempo. The coronation took place under the pine tree, which is still present today. Just opposite to the throne is the Norbung Chorten (stupa), which is said to contain water and soil from all parts of Sikkim. . The small Kathok Lake's waters were used for the consecration ceremony held to crown the Chogyal. A foot print seen here is attributed to be of one of the lamas involved in the crowning ceremony. By removing the head board, imprints are clearly seen of toes and soles of feet.
Geyzing
Gyalshing or Geyzing is the capital of the district of West Sikkim in the Indian state of Sikkim. The town is connected to the capital Gangtok by a metalled road. Geyzing is also connected to the West Bengal towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong via Jorethang. A few kilometres north is the town of...
subdivision of West Sikkim
West Sikkim
West Sikkim is a district of theIndian state of Sikkim. Its capital is Geyzing, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other important towns include Pelling and Jorethang.-History:...
district in the Indian State of Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
. It was erected following the crowning of the first Chogyal
Chogyal
The Chogyal were the monarchs of the former kingdoms of Sikkim and Ladakh, which were ruled by separate branches of the Namgyal family. The Chogyal, or divine ruler, was the absolute potentate of Sikkim from 1642 to 1975, when its monarchy was abrogated and its people voted to make Sikkim India's...
of Sikkim in 1642 at Narbugong Coronation Throne near Yuksom
Yuksom
Yuksom is a historical town in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first Chogyal of Sikkim. The coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim is known as the...
. A holy lake known as Kuthok Lake, a serene lake, is also linked to the historicity of the place. The Chorten was the place where Lama Lhutsun Chempo created the time capsule by burying all the gifts to mark the occasion.
The Norbugang Chorten and the Norbugang throne are visited as part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit involving the Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi Monastery, occasionally called Yuksom Monastery is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism near Yuksom, in the Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district, in northeastern India....
, Pemayangtse Monastery
Pemayangtse Monastery
The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Pemayangtse, near Pelling in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, located west of Gangtok. Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705, it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim. It is not only one of the...
, the Rabdentse
Rabdentse
Rabdentse was the second capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814. The capital city was destroyed by the invading Nepalese army and only the ruins of the palace and the chortens are seen here now...
ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery
Sanga Choeling Monastery
The Sanga Choeling Monastery, also spelt Sange Choeling Monastery, established in the 17th century by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, is one of the oldest monasteries in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. The literal meaning of Sanga Choeling is the “island of esoteric teaching”...
, the Khecheopalri Lake
Khecheopalri Lake
Khecheopalri Lake, originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri , is a sacred Lake for both Buddhists and Hindus, which is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. It is located near Khecheopalri village, west of Gangtok and to the northwest of Pelling town in the West Sikkim district of the Northeastern...
, and the Tashiding Monastery
Tashiding Monastery
Tashiding Monastery is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Sikkim, northeastern India. It is located on top of the hill rising between the Rathong chu and the Rangeet River, from Gyalshing and to the south east of Yuksam meaning Yuk-Lamas, Sam- Three in Lepcha...
.
History
Norbugang Chorten was established during a consecration ceremony that was held by three learned Lamas headed by Lhatsun Chhempo, crowning the first Chogyal of Sikkim. Lhatsun Chhempo had suffixed his own surname of 'Namgye' to Phunshog who was crowned the Chogyal and subsequently the king came to be known as Phunshog Namgyal. On this occasion, the LepchaLepcha people
The Lepcha or Róng people , also called Róngkup , Mútuncí Róngkup Rumkup , and Rongpa , are the aboriginal people of Sikkim, who number between 30,000 and 50,000...
s and Magarsof the area, who had accompanied Phunshog to Yuksom Norbugang for the coronation ceremony, had presented a large number of treasures to the lamas, particularly to Lhatsun Chhempo. After the crowning ceremony was performed by the lamas according to procedures prescribed in the scriptures, the lamas decided to build the Trashi-wod-hBar-Chorten at Norbugang. For this purpose, they collected earth and stones from all parts of Sikkim. They then built the chorten with the materials collected and also buried within it all the gifts that Lhatsun Chhempo had received from the people. The benediction and consecration ceremonies performed by the lamas at the Norbugang Chorten lasted for 21 days.
Setting
A park called the Norbugang Park has been created at Yuksom, 42 km (26 mi) from PellingPelling
Pelling has a helipad ground though there is no regular air service. Helicopters can connect Pelling with Gangtok on request....
town, which encloses a prayer hall, large prayer wheel, the Norbugang Chorten (stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
), and the purported Coronation Throne (Norbugang) set below a large cryptomeria
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria is a monotypic genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes only one species, Cryptomeria japonica . It is endemic to Japan, where it is known as Sugi...
pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
. The wooden head board at the location of the throne, made of stone, appears like an altar.
The Norbugang Coronation throne, which has the "appearance of an old Olympic Medal Podium" is made of stones, which has been white washed now. The stone throne has four seats, with the top one intended for Lama Lhatsun Chhempo. The coronation took place under the pine tree, which is still present today. Just opposite to the throne is the Norbung Chorten (stupa), which is said to contain water and soil from all parts of Sikkim. . The small Kathok Lake's waters were used for the consecration ceremony held to crown the Chogyal. A foot print seen here is attributed to be of one of the lamas involved in the crowning ceremony. By removing the head board, imprints are clearly seen of toes and soles of feet.