Trifter

Sikkim, the landlocked state in the Himalayas, is one of the least populated states in India and a haven for tourists from all across the world. The state and its fantastic locations have attracted me over and over again. So, I felt that instead of sharing an encyclopedic description of my visit to the state, I would share some personal experiences for all the readers to plan a visit to this part of the world.

Though the capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, I preferred to stay away from staying there. The commercialization of the capital towns has induced influx of people and establishment even in Gangtok. So, I took a detour and went to Pelling, a small hamlet in West Sikkim. At an altitude of 2150 m it is the perfect place for nature loving tourists who want to avoid the hustle bustle of the crowd in tourist destinations.

Pelling is 115 km from the state capital Gangtok and about 135 km from Siliguri, the nearest railhead and airport. After we reached the airport, we took the hired jeeps available from the airport and drove for 6 hours to reach Upper Pelling which is lesser populated than lower Pelling. The hotel had a very few guests and they were from France, Germany and the UK.

We checked in and after getting refreshed, I just opened the window on the eastern side of my room and I was spellbound. It was the mighty Kanchenjunga, one of the eight highest peaks in the world. The range span was so close that I took out my camera instantly to fire the shots. Considered as the abode of God, one is barred from setting foot on the summit of this peak. Mountaineers share that this peak has the most unpredictable behavior among all other above 8000 m peaks.

We had some daylight left the day we reached Pelling and we went out for a casual walk down the road in front of our hotel. The silence in the environment with stray sounds in the woods, amidst the mountains, from the birds and the murmuring of the leaves were fascinating. With the evening falling graciously over the mountains darkens engulfed it and we retreated to our hotel room. With the few guests in the hotel, we all were quick to reach the dining hall which was small but cozy. I walked up to a few guests and introduced myself to a French couple. It was perhaps one of the most positively motivating ladies whom I met there. She was in her mid forties, operated on cancer and has taken life courageously and is out on a globe trot to see the beautiful world. She also planned to get married after a year from the time I met her and had wishes to come back to the same place with her newly married husband.

Early morning the next day, we went out for a conducted tour. The first halt was near Kanchenjunga Falls. The height of the fall was not as high as the other world famous ones like, Niagra or Victoria but, the rage was ominous.

We went up close to the falls by the natural steps which were steep but manageable.

From this place, our next destination was Khachoedpalri Tsho (a lake) considered to have strong mythological background and very highly revered by the Sikkimese and Tibetan Lamas. The lake is very calm and the surroundings absolutely silent. As the folklore goes; the lake is surrounded by many trees but, not a single leaf drops in the lake and the water is crystal clear when seen from the close.

The ancient capital of Sikkim was Rabdentse. It was shifted from Yuksom to Rabdentse by king Tensung Namgayal in 1700. After walking through winding roads, up the mountain and through the woods, we were astonished to find the archeological remnants of the picturesque architecture of the then kingdom of king Tensung Namgayal.

The next place of visit was the newly built monastery dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim. In Namchi his statue stands as the tallest statue of any saint in the world at a height of 36 m. It is a structure which reflects all the architectural signs of a monastery but, has moderately modern facilities for resident monks

The Elgin Mount Pandim Hotel is in Pemayangtse (Pelling), West Sikkim. Once It was the summer retreat of the royal family of Sikkim. This Heritage property is now a luxury boutique hotel. We stayed in this hotel and being on a hill top it gives a 360 degrees view of the famous Kanchenjunga and other beautiful mountain peaks.

The last historic destination visited by us is the famous Rumtek monastery.

Situated 24 kms from the capital Gangtok, Rumtek monastery is the Dharma Chakra Center includes a beautifully structured main shrine temple and monastery with monks’ quarters, where the Karmapa resides and where the most of the important relics are enshrined.

I would strongly suggest that as a tourist one should visit these places based out of Pelling. You would definitely enjoy the serenity, the rich and historical heritage of the Lamas and enjoy the beauty of nature wholesomely. Political and social disturbances are almost nil in this part of India.

So pack your bags and wish you bon voyage.

image sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5