Redevelopment of Enchey Monastery Complex, Gangtok

Project Location: Gangtok, East Sikkim

Project Architect: Lhendup W. Bhutia

Status: Completed

Religion isn’t as simple as black and white: perhaps that’s why religious architecture isn’t either. These are spaces where pilgrims come from various walks of life looking to meet something over and above one’s ordinary existence. So how can a structure that houses hope, gratitude, eminence, grandeur and humility be simple.  With that as a central idea, we endeavored to create a space which encompassed all of the above emotions together with the traditional Sikkimese architecture.  

Sacred Spaces/Enchey Monastery (2016-2019)

To begin with, the Enchey Monastery has always been a place of significance. An 18thcentury structure, it had been given its last façade circa 1900s. However, during the 2011 earthquake in Sikkim, extensive damage was caused to the monastery. The disaster created a need for complete renovation and addition of allied facilities to the complex. To create any kind of change to the existing built environment, the team needed to take into account the existing traditional sentiments along with that of the growing population of Buddhists in the state, as well as the anticipated tourist footfalls. The team had to create an all-inclusive design. The new structure thus created has tried to evoke a feeling of eminence and retain its past aura in juxtaposition with a modern dimension.  

To begin with, 108 prayer wheels have been placed along the entry slope to the giant Maney (Prayer Wheel). The prayer hall, a sacrosanct structure, was restored soaking up all the colors of Buddhism—blue, black, white, red, green and yellow–intricately detailed with paintings of deities and adorned with Thangkas – Tibetan Buddhist paintings.

The courtyard was created with the idea of doubling up as a space for the ceremonious rituals and performances, next to the Yabring ( a sheltered gallery) and also to allow the pilgrims to stroll, pray and ruminate. Landscaped in a way to ensure walkways and secondary access points, the monastery now has universal accessibility and barrier-free movement. Since, the growing number of monks and students called for larger accommodation, Thashaks (hostels)were also designed within the existing space. Next, an Administrative\ Block including a Tourist Information Centre with souvenir shops was built to separate office spaces from the chapel areas of the monastery, for better functionality. A new parking area, reserved for all the visitors, was built to ensure convenience during the prayer meets as well as accommodate tourist vehicles.

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Our aim was to blend the two ideas of renovation – adding what was necessary duly inculcating modern ideas and retaining the traditional while keeping the core elements of Buddhism as our focal point.