Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanlin
Monastery is also known by the names like Guihua Monastery, Gyeltang Monastery
and Ganden Sumtseling. This Tibetan Buddhist monastery is within Gelugpa Sect
or Yellow Hat. Songzanlin Monasteryis located in Shangri La town in north
western Yunnan province of China under Dechen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
The greater proportion of people residing here is Tibetan people. It was
constructed by fifth Dalai Lama in seventeenth century. Due to Cultural
Revolution, the Songzanlin Monastery had to undergo reconstruction in twentieth
century. At present, it housed nearly seven hundred monks only. Earlier, during
the golden period of monastery, more than two thousand monks were housed.
Songzanlin
Monastery is nearly five kilometers from Shangri La County. It is a faithful
imitation of Potala Palace located in Lhasa of Tibet. It covers a total area of
thirty three hectares. This monastery has five gates and very solid walls.
There are two major lamaseries such as Jikang and Zhacang that command the best
position inside architectural complex of Songzanlin Monastery. The watchtowers
are of Tibetan style. They are very well surrounded by lamas or dormitories. There
are several treasures in the monastery. The most popular ones are 8 gold
covered Sakyamuni sculptures which were fashioned during period of fifth as
well as seventh Dalai Lamas. Mu Family during Qing dynasty has offered lot of
bronze sculptures, scriptures on pattra leaves, silver incense burners, gold
lamps, Ganzur scriptures, and more.
Main
features of Songzanlin Monastery
The
main gate for entrance into Songzanlin Monastery is situated across the path
from Lake Lhamo Yangtso at hill foot, where there is one huge area for parking
vehicles. Here tickets can be bought to enter monastery. Straight from main
gate, the path is towards a stairs which winds to hill top to reach Assembly
Hall known as Dukhang. On both sides of the pathway, there are tiny residences
for monks. Till stairs, it is completely an easy walk, but, from there altitude
will slow down the footsteps. This place is always crowded.
At
hilltop, there is a main landing from where one can move to several temples,
main halls, and more. Few kiosks can be seen to assist travelers in getting
snacks or drinks. They are monk staffed to offer best services to people
visiting Songzanlin Monastery. You can purchase beads form the monks. They will
bless them. Main halls are open to all people. Photography is only permitted in
Assembly Hall, but not in main hall. A building in Songzanlin Monastery is
built with special dedication to founder of Gelukpa Sect, Tsong Khapa. There is
a huge statue of this great person in this building.
Travel
Tips
To
enter Songzanlin Monastery, one must get tickets from main ticket office near
entrance of Songzanlin Monastery grounds. Admission fee is 115 CNY. The time
for visit is at least two hours. There is no requirement of monk guide in this monastery.
People are permitted to take their way themselves. Most of the guides here
speak Mandarin Chinese or Tibetan. It is hard to find guides who speak English.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside buildings of this monastery with
certain exceptions. Each and every rule of this place has to be respected.
Visit
Songzanlin Monastery to have a memorable and spiritual experience!
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