Sanga Choeling Monastery, Buddhist monastery in Gyalshing district, India.
Sanga Choeling Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Gyalshing district, Sikkim, India, set on a forested ridge at high elevation above the town of Pelling. The complex consists of a main temple, smaller shrines, and rows of prayer flags strung along the ridge, with open views toward the Kanchenjunga range on clear days.
The monastery was founded in 1697 by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, making it one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Sikkim. It was built during a period when Tibetan Buddhist teachers were actively establishing communities across these mountain territories.
The prayer halls are lined with handcrafted statues and wall paintings depicting deities and scenes from Buddhist narratives, which visitors can observe up close. The monks who live here follow daily rituals that give the place a steady, living rhythm distinct from a museum or monument.
The monastery is reached on foot from Pelling via a steep trail through forest, so sturdy footwear and a reasonable level of fitness are helpful. The path can be slippery during and after rain, so timing the visit for a dry morning is a good idea.
The site is sometimes spelled Sangachoeling in older texts and is also referred to locally as Kanyam, a name tied to regional storytelling traditions. Pilgrims from nearby villages tend to use this local name rather than the more formal one found on signboards.
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