Offering jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas and the snow-capped Kanchenjunga (Khangchendzonga), the third-largest peak in the world, Pelling, in Sikkim, is a gorgeous tourist destination. With charming houses perched atop a wooded ridge, this hill town is framed by spectacular natural forests, making it a natural paradise. Sitting at a height of 2,150 m, Pelling is a base for several trekking routes. The cosy tourist town is also home to many prominent Buddhist monasteries and according to Buddhist texts, the word 'Pelling' refers to the religious body formed by Pema Linga, the discoverer of ancient Tibetian texts. A major attraction here is the Khangchendzonga Festival that is held annually and sees activities like kayaking, promotional trekking, traditional sports and birdwatching and white-water rafting on the Rangit (Rangeet) river. The festival also witnesses a flower exhibition, which is a colourful affair and hosts various stalls of costumes, ethnic food and traditional crafts. Borong About three hours away from Pelling lies this picturesque village with beautiful landscapes and hot springs. The perfect place to enjoy nature at its best, away from the city, Borong overflows with charm and serenity. One can see the snow-covered Mount Kanchenjunga from here. A paradise for bird lovers, Borong is home to various species like scarlet minervet, Himalayan pheasants, sunbird, sibia, blackbird, minla and black magpie. For those who love to trek, Borong has challenging trek trails in the area, starting from Damthang to Tendong- Ravangla Maenam- Borong. One may continue to Tashiding or stop at Borong. It also has a paper factory that produces some of the thinnest and finest papers in the country, which is then exported to Singapore, Thailand, Bangkok, and cities in India like Delhi and Kolkata. The ancient Japanese technique of paper-making is used in the factory and visitors can take a look at the whole process, which makes for an interesting experience. Changay Waterfalls One of the splendid natural attractions of Pelling, the charming Changay Waterfalls is a stream of pristine water rolling down lush greenery. The water tumbles down from a height of approximately 300 m and seems to disappear into the thick green foliage that surrounds it. Coupled with its serene and peaceful surrounding, the waterfalls casts a magical spell on visitors, who come from far and wide. With a backdrop of hills and peaceful surroundings, the waterfalls is a great picnic spot and a photography point. There is also a bazaar nearby for shopping along with a cheese factory. Other villages around that can be explored are Sapung and Bongten. The Changay Waterfalls lies about 10 km away from Pelling, on the western slope of the Pelling district. Dubdi Monastery Dubdi is also regarded as Yuksum (Yuksom) Monastery and belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Established in 1701 by Chogyal Namgyal, it is considered to be the oldest monastery in the state. The word 'Dubdi' in the vernacular tongue means retreat. The monastery is a two-storeyed structure made of stone. It is situated at an altitude of 2,100 m and has an elaborately painted interior. One can find images of divinities, saints and a collection of manuscripts inside. There are two aisles where rare collections of manuscripts and religious texts are preserved. The monastery has an important historical connotation as it is linked to the founding of the state at Yuksum (Yuksom) in the mid 17th century by Lhetsum Chenpo and his two associate lamas. The monastery provides a magnificent bird's eye view and enables visitors to witness cupressus funebris, a species of cypress brought by Latshen Chem Po from Kham village in Tibet. Kanchenjunga National Park This national park has been named after Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain peak in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a high altitude park that lies at an elevation of 8,586 m. The most popular species you can sight here include Himalayan tahr and snow leopard. Pemayangtse Monastery Built for Ta Sangs (pure Tibetian monks) in 1705, this three-storeyed monastery is one of the most renowned in the state of Sikkim. It started with a small shrine called ‘Tsangkhang’, which was founded by Lhatsun Chhenpo between 1650 and 1651 AD. This shrine was later shifted to the present site and re-established in 1705 by Chhogyal Chhagdor Namgyal and Lama Khanchhen Rolpai Dorje (first head lama of Pemayangtse Gompa). A small religious structure near the entrance has a sacred statue of Dorje Phagmo (Vajra Varahi) that was given to Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal by Terton Terdag Lingpa of Tibet as a gift upon marrying his daughter. The main festival here is Guru Drakmar chham that is celebrated in winter in the months of February through March. With more than 100 monks at present, the Pemayangtse Monastery is considered to be the parent of all the monasteries following the Mindroling lineage in Sikkim. Sanga Choeling Monastery One of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim, the Sang Choling Monastery has been built according to the Tibetan style of architecture. It houses several ancient paintings, accessories and clay statues, which date back to the 17th century. The monastery is an important site of the heritage circuit for Buddhist devotees and was built in 1697 by Lama Lhatsun Chempo. It is believed that secret mantras (guhyamantra) were taught here in ancient times. Situated amidst a picturesque backdrop of the Great Himalayas, the monastery also provides spectacular natural views. Entry to it is restricted to men and no one apart from the members of the Bhutia and Lepcha communities is allowed in the inner sanctum. Another attraction is a 300-year-old crematorium located nearby. Singshore Bridge Connecting two gorges in the west of Sikkim, the Singshore suspension bridge is believed to be the highest bridge in the state and the second-highest in Asia, with a height of over 100 m. This architectural marvel, with a length of approximately 200 m, can be reached easily from Pelling, which is 25 km away. The bridge offers a spectacular view of picturesque surroundings. Dotted with gushing waterfalls and crisscrossed by a winding stream, the landscape enthralls one with its beauty and serenity. Apart from the months of July and August, the bridge is open for visitors all year round from 6 am to 6 pm. A short walk from the bridge lies the Alpine cheese factory where one can sample excellent Gouda cheese. Tashiding Monastery The word 'Tashiding' means devoted central glory and this monastery has been the centre of worship in Sikkim since the 1700s. Situated at a height of about 5,000 ft, it offers a picturesque view of a lush valley made by two rivers, and the more awe-inspiring sight of Mount Kanchenjunga standing tall. Another object of interest is a magic vase that is the main subject of the Bhuchu festival, which draws Buddhists from all over the globe to witness the yearly ritual in which the sealed vase is opened and its contents inspected. The Nyingmapa Buddhists use the vase to predict prosperity for the coming year. A full vase indicates a fortuitous year whereas low water content denotes a famine. A dusty vase indicates a period of strife and clash. The festival commences at midnight during the full moon in the first month of the Tibetan calendar (February and March). Tendong Hill Situated at a height of about 8,530 ft, Tendong Hill is a very popular part of local folklore. The word 'tendong' means upraised horn, in Lepcha. It is believed that the land raised itself during a heavy flood to save the people. The locals pray to the hill and the place has been a meditation spot for Buddhist lamas. The hill can be reached only by trekking, which starts from Damthang. The 6-km trek passes through dense forests that are rich in flora and fauna. The forests house more than 90 species of birds, the Himalayan bear, red pandas, and leopards. The topmost point boasts a small monastery and a watchtower that enables visitors to get a 360-degree view of the Singalila range in the west, Chola range in the east, part of Gangtok town, Nathu La, Darjeeling and part of the plains of West Bengal. The months from March to June are an ideal time to visit the hill. Yuksum (Yuksom) Situated at an altitude of 5,800 ft, Yuksum (Yuksom) lies on the southern fringes of the Kanchenjunga National Park. Despite heavy footfalls, Yuksum appears quaint and charming, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush green forests. The word 'Yuksum' means meeting point of the three lamas. According to local legend, it was the first capital of the state of Sikkim where three Tibetan monks met and crowned the first king (Chogyal) of Sikkim in 1641. The coronation site is said to be at Norbugang, where tourists and visitors can still see the coronation throne. Yuksum is also the starting point for the popular Dzongri Goecha La trek along with being a gateway to the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve, making it a year-round stopover for tourists, scientists, photographers, conservationists and naturalists from the world over.
© Bonjour Media. All Rights Reserved.
