Sikkim: CM Pavan Chamling inaugurates Buddhist pilgrimage site in Pelling

TNN, KOLKATA: Tourists from Bengal visiting Sikkim will now have a pilgrimage tourism destination at Pelling where chief minister Pavan Chamling unveiled the world’s tallest statue of Chenrezig at 137 feet along with a Buddhist Pilgrimage site on Thursday.

The statue of Chenrezig which is the earthly manifestation of the self-born, eternal Buddha, Amitabha has been built at an elevation of 7,200 meters at a place called Sanga Choeling in Pelling in West Sikkim. The spot is situated near Sanga Choeling monastery located on a ridge top above Pelling at a distance of 7 kilometres. The pilgrimage site will also include a sky-walk, a gallery and a café.

"This is a very prestigious project for government and people of Sikkim establishing the state as the most preferred destination for leisure and religious tourism," said Ambika Pradhan, secretary of the cultural affairs and heritage department. The cultural affairs department conceptualised and executed the project which was built by the building and housing department. The foundation of the project was laid in 2009.

Sikkim recently got an airport in Pakyong near Gangtok which is expected to provide a further fillip to tourism in the state. Tourists no longer have to travel through the often choked and landslide prone National Highway 10. Sikkim receives more than 15 lakh tourists every year sixty five percent of which are from West Bengal.

Sikkim government has also made replicas of most revered religious pilgrimage sites in India, Chaar Dhaam in Namchi in south Sikkim which offers a unique concept of bringing all four Dhams in India under one roof. The place also hosts a 108 ft tall statue of Lord Shiva and a 18-feet statue of Kiraateshwar – the hunter incarnation of Lord Shiva.

“Sikkim already has two Buddhist pilgrimage sites in south Sikkim - Namchi, home to 135-feet statue of Guru Padmasambhawa and Ravangla, with 130-feet statue of Lord Buddha. The new addition will assert Sikkim’s position as the preferred destination for religious tourism too,” said Ugen T Gyatso, tourism minister of Sikkim.