Wang Sissinang Cliff

Cliff Story extracted from the book-When Loss is Gain

Once upon a time, long ago, Jazam, the wife of Chogyal Tsongtsen Gompo halted at Sissinang. She was young and beautiful, and the cliff fell in love with her. She was in a hurry to carry on with her journey to India, but the cliffs wanted her to stay. It’s said that every time she tried to leave, something would happen to stop her. It would either rain heavily, or boulders would mysteriously roll across her path. Once when she was all set to go, the cliffs moved. Jazam lost her balance and fell down, spraining her leg. She could not move for days.

Jazam had treasures, valuable baskets, caskets like tea chests and full of presents for her family in India. Afraid of thieves, she slept close to them. It’s believed that one night the cliffs have spoken to her and said “don’t go. We will build you home and make a beautiful place to stay here. There is nothing you need we do not have. Fruit trees grow in our crevices. Water washes our feet. There are caves within us larger than homes. Firewood is available in plenty. On our forehead is fertile soil for paddy.” Tormented Jazam woke up in sweat and decided to leave the place at dawn.

At first light, Jazam collected her treasure and set out to leave. She thought she could see streaks of tears on the face of the cliffs, but she was not to be moved. The cliffs made the last attempt, boulders bounced across her path, huge trees bent down to hold her, the ground shook, the river rose. But she was adamant. This time she didn’t stop as she had her family waiting for her and also she wanted to be with her husband dearly. She hinted of not loving the cold, bare, ugly and windswept cliffs.

Just as she was about to step off into the valley beyond, the cliffs took revenge. The cliffs let her go, but all her valuables, the bamboo baskets and caskets full of treasures were turned into the stones, today we witness on the other side of the river.

The stone shapes on the cliffs within them of bamboo baskets and Chests reminds the cliffs of the woman they loved but couldn’t possess. Sometimes people see conch shells in their cracks.

Other narration check the link- https://audio-video.shanti.virginia.edu/video/account-hindu-cliff-wang-sisi

Besides the beautiful tall cliff the other side of the river, the place held significant Wang Sissinang Chunmo House, Old age Home initiated by His Majesty the king, and the secluded Sissinang, Shechen Orgyen Chodzong Nunnery.

Then a small nunnery and today an institution was the first monastic center founded by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in Bhutan after he left Tibet.

Teachers from Schechen Monastery in Nepal are training the women on various monastic courses. Few volunteer turns up to teach English language. This training equips the nuns to eventually return to their communities to teach and create further opportunities for women. Few nus undergo retreat.

A beautiful serene place for everyone to sink and sync with the environment.

Wang Sissinang Cliff