Sangchhen Thong is one of the oldest monasteries in Darjeeling, established in 1818. The exterior of the gompa and the date of preserving the manuscripts justify Sangchhen Thong, Delling Gompa to be the oldest monastery in Darjeeling. The original monastery covered an area of 19 acres and bounded by the North-east, the eastern Lebong road, North and west, western Lebong road and south leading from Darjeeling to Rangeet, South and South West Government Ging road from Western Lebong to Darjeeling road.
History of Sangchhen Thong Monastery
Earlier the town of Darjeeling was not in existence and this area was then a part of the Sikkim kingdom. According to the Ecclesiastical Department of Sikkim, the original name of this monastery was Ging monastery that belonged to the Lamas of Pemayangtse monastery in West Sikkim.
The Lt. Governor of Bengal gave freehold grant for the maintenance of this monastery to Lama of Pemayangtse, Sikkim. This monastery was directly supervised by the Darber of Sikkim. As per the Darber`s notification, the control of the monasteries at Ging and Bhutia Busty in Darjeeling were entrusted to the Judicial Secretary of the Darber, which is now carried out by Ecclesiastical Affairs Department. The appointment of head lama was also regulated from Pemayangtse monastery.
The original monastery had existed at a place where the present Gorkha Rangamanch is situated near Loreto College. The monastery was later shifted to Ging, about 8 Km from Darjeeling town, since the British residing in that area were disturbed due to the blowing of conch shells, the loud sound of Lhabha, Gyaling in the early hours and the evening. However, a new monastery was built afterwards in that area.
Sangchhen Thong, Delling Gompa is one of the religious shrines of Darjeeling that attracts many tourists even till date, probably for its age-old heritage.
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