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The Chief Country God Of Sikkim
- The Khangchendzonga
Khang-chen-dzo-nga - the chief country god of
Sikkim, of red colour, carrying a Gyaltsen or banner of victory,
and mounted on a snow lion. His dwelling place is the mountain from
which he takes his name and is an object of worship. Khangchendzonga
literally means five repositories of God's treasure, namely that
of gold, silver, gems, grains and holy books.
Sacred Landscape
KANGCHENJUNGA (Khangchendzonga)
"Great Snow Mountain of the Five Treasures"
Dominating both legend and landscape of Sikkim
is the mighty Khangchendzonga. Known to outside world as Kanchenjunga,
it is the third highest peak in the world. But to the Sikkimese
it is much more than a mountain.
In the 8th century AD, the great Indian saint,
Guru Padma Sambhava was invited to Tibet by king Trisong Deutsen
to establish and introduce Buddhism. It is believed that on his
way to Tibet, he went via Sikkim and is said to have hidden many
treasures or 'Ters' according to the Ney-sol, the directory of holy
places. Therefore, the whole region surrounding the Khangchendzonga
area is regarded as highly sacred by the Sikkimese, and it is said
that one merit done here equals a hundred thousand merits done elsewhere.
The five peaks of Khangchendzonga are the five
Treasures of the Eternal Snow, a belief beautifully interpreted
by the great Lama Lhatsun Chenpo: "The peak most conspicuously
gilded by the rising sun is the treasury of gold, the peak that
remains in cold grey shade is the storehouse for silver and other
peaks are vaults for gems, grains and the holy books."
Each of the five peaks is believed to be crowned
by an animal - the highest by a tiger and the others by a lion,
elephant, horse and the mythical bird Garuda. Along with the Guardian
deity, the Nepal Peak, Tent Peak, Pyramid, Jonsang, Lhonak, Pahunri
etc. and glaciers like Zemu, Changsang, Teesta, Changme are also
important. The most important passes are Jelep-la, Nathu-la, Cho-la
and Thanka-la in the east; Donkiua, Kongralamu and Naku in the north
and Kanglanangma and Chia Bhanjyang in the west.
Worship of Khangchendzonga
The divine status of the mountain, sanctified by legend, has
been made enduring by the widespread worship of Sikkim's presiding
deity, Khangchendzonga, by all the people of Sikkim - Lepchas, Bhutias
and Nepalese alike. Offerings are made to his majestic presence,
ceremonies are held in his name and dances consecrated to him. Pang
Lhabsol is one of the most famous festivals of Sikkim, which is
a thanksgiving celebration in honour of him. Dancers portray the
guardian deity, its supreme commander Yabdu and the God Mahakala.
It is a warrior dance and the dancers are chosen for their physical
strength, quick reflexes and skill swordsmanship.
Ney Pemathang (Shangri-La) - the Hidden Paradise
on Earth
Many stories are told about the existence of Shangri-La in the
Himalaya. Nepal claims that Shangrila exists somewhere in Nepal
and so does Bhutan and Tibet. However, what is well known is that
the search for Ney-Pemathang or Dema-Zong, is known to have been
made twice in Sikkim, most recently in the early 1960s.
The story about the existence of Shangrila can
be found in a sacred book called Ney-yek, which gives details about
the life inside the Shangrila and also the location of the place.
Copies of this book can be found in most of the monasteries of Sikkim.
However, because this book is so sacred, not everyone can have access
to it. According to the Ney-yek, only particular incarnate persons,
known as Tertens or the "treasure finder" can find this
place, and only at the right time.
Local people recall the arrival in Yuksam of Rimpoche
Tarten Tarzey Lingpa from Ladakh. Many Yuksam residents joined the
group and trekked into the area surrounding Mount Khangchendzonga.
After spending several months in the area, the followers grew impatient
for the Rimpoche to open the "gateway" to Ney-Pemathang.
Unfortunately, while preparing to open the way, the Rimpoche and
his followers died in an avalanche, and Ney-Pemathang remained unopened.
Legend has it that the major cause for the failure of this expedition
was due to the unethical practices followed by the followers of
the Rimpoche, who polluted the place and did not show respect for
the sanctity of the mountain.
According to legend, among the three Tartens who
know of the location of Ney-Pemathang, two have failed to open the
gate. The last Tarten is expected to be born in the 21st century,
and people still talk of the place where life is immortal and where
one grain of rice can feed the whole population of Ney-Pemathang.
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