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WEST SIKKIM - OUR HERITAGE |
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The West district of Sikkim is a rich
cultural cauldron with exotic scenic views. Full of
monasteries, streams, waterfalls and a rich kaleidoscope of
flora and fauna it makes for a perfect holiday.
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YUKSOM
Situated at an altitude of 6050
ft. / 1700 mtrs and a 35 km driveway from Pelling, Yuksom is
a beautiful village. It is also the base of the mystic peaks
of the mighty Khanchendzonga & serves as a trailhead for
those who want to trek up to Khanchendzonga National Park,
Dzongri or Goechala Pass. Its importance lies in the fact
that it was the first capital of Sikkim from where the early
history of Sikkim began. One can still see the Coronation
Throne (stone ruins). It is a heritage site. This is the
place where the first Chogyal (Righteous ruler) or the
Dharma Raja Chogyal, Chogyal Phuntshok Namgyal was coronated
as the first King of Sikkim in the year 1641 A.D. by the
three great saints, who had come from three different
directions. Hence the name Yuksom means the meeting place of
three incarnates.
One may hike to Dubdi Monastery, the oldest Monastery in
Sikkim built in 1701 by one of the great incarnate Lama Lhatsum Chenpo after the consecration of the first Chogyal.
Dubdi means “The Retreat”. It is located on a hilltop above
Yuksom surrounded by verdant forest. The monastery is 3 km
uphill & one hour short trek from Yuksom. |
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PELLING
Situated at an altitude of about
2105 mtrs/ 6840 ft., Pelling was originally known as Pemalingpa. The name Pemalingpa is derived from Pemalingpa
monastery. The place is famous for its magnificient view of
the Khanchendzonga ranges.
There are many beautiful waterfalls situated amidst the
green forests nearby Pelling. These beautiful waterfalls
leap out of the hillside to the valley flowers in plumes of
white. Such huge mass of water plunging from great heights &
cutting the verdant green landscape of the surrounding
forests is in fact a great & interesting sight.
Some of these waterfalls are the Khanchendzonga Falls
situated about 20 km from Pelling, the Changay Falls
situated on the way to Sing shore Bridge only a few kms from
Pelling, the Phamrong Falls enroute Tashidhing & the
Rimbi
Falls situated at about 8 kms from Pelling.
Given below are the names of some selected places in West
Sikkim that is a must for every visitor. The best way to do
West Sikkim is to go on the Buddhist circuit & you don’t
have to be Buddhist to do so. |
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Places to See
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PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY
This monastery is
nearby to Pelling situated at an altitude of about 6840 ft.
/ 2072 m. It is the most important monastery of the Nyingmapa order & was built in the late seventeenth century
by Lama Lhatsum Chenpo one of the revered Lamas to have
performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal
(religious monarch) of Sikkim & has been considered as one
of the premier monasteries in the State, having been
entrusted with the task to perform all religious functions
of the erstwhile monarch. The monastery houses numerous
religious idols & other objects of worship, most of which
are priceless because of their antiquity. Inside the
monastery on the top floor there is a wooden structure
depicting the Maha Guru’s heavenly palace (Sang-tok-palri),
which is considered a masterpiece created by Late Dungzin
Rimpoche. The main festival of the monastery is held every
year during the month of February. |
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RABDENTSE RUINS
Rabdentse was the second capital of Sikkim & was established
in the late seventeenth century by the second Chogyal
of Sikkim. It was abandoned towards the end of the
eighteenth century because of the threat posed by Nepal &
the capital was shifted to Tumlong. The Rabdentse Palace
lies in ruins now & one has to trek about 2 kms / one hour
from the main road near Pemayangtse monastery through a
thick forest to reach it. The ruins are now being preserved
by the Archaeological Survey of India & have been declared
as a monument. |
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SANGACHOELING MONASTERY
This
monastery built in 1697 AD, is the second oldest in
the state constructed by Gyalwa Lhatsum Chenpo.
It lies amidst a thick-forested hilltop opposite the
Pemayangtse monastery towards the west. One has to
walk for one hour to reach the monastery from
Pelling.
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TASHIDING MONASTERY
Ngadak Sempa Chembo, one of the three lamas
who had performed the consecration ceremony of the
first Chogyal, built this monastery in 1717, during
the reign of the third
Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal & lies on top of a
symmetrical hillock above Tashiding Bazaar. Second
half of the distance to the monastery you must make
on foot, which takes about half an hour. The sacred
ceremony of Bumchu is held at this monastery at
midnight of the 14th & 15th day of the first month
of the Tibetan calendar that normally corresponds to
the month of February. The Bumchu is a sacred water
vessel whose water level foretells the luck of the
year ahead. The government of Sikkim & the lamas of
the monastery officially seal the sacred holy water
vessel for safety & it is taken out once a year on
the auspicious occasion. The sacred water that is
taken out is distributed among the thousands of
devotees. It has also a separate enclosure for
chortens. The most sacred is the great Tashiding
chorten known as Thong-Wa-Rang-Dol ’which literally
means Saviors by mere sight’. This chorten is so
sacred that mere act of beholding it is believed to
cleanse all sin.
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KHECHEOPALRI LAKE
Situated at an altitude of 1951 meters (6400 ft)
this sacred lake is well hidden & surrounded by
dense forest. The Lake is also famous for
fulfillment of wishes. Irrespective of the season
worshipers always visit the Lake. It is believed
that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float
on the Lake surface. The Lake is believed to have
been visited by Guru Padmasambhava who meditated in
a cave above the Lake.
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SINGSHORE SUSPENSION BRIDGE
This suspension
Bridge (680 ft.) is considered to be the second highest
bridge in Asia & is about 25 kms / 2 hrs drive from Pelling.
The Bridge has been built over a gorge that is about a
thousand feet deep. The building of this bridge is an
engineering feat indeed.
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RINCHENPONG
Situated at an altitude of
1700 meters. The drive from Gangtok to Rinchenpong takes
about 5/6 hrs. A picturesque village with beautiful
landscape & view of mountain range & visit to Resum
monastery, Lepcha Heritage Houses & nature walk through
forests to see orchids in trees makes one or two days
interesting for the visitors. One can also trek to Khandi
Danra / Menlapso which is a richly forested area known to be
home for various species of wild animals & birds.
Rinchenpong is the base for treks to the Barsay Rhododendron
Sanctuary & the Singalila Range.
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BARSEY / HILLEY
Barsey is situated at an altitude of about 10000 ft.
& is 70 kms from Pelling, is known as the garden of
Rhododendrons. This place is accessible from Hilley
through a 4 km bridle footpath, which takes one up
to the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (1600 m – 3600
m). The ‘Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary’ lies in the
southwest corner of West Sikkim district. Spreading
over 104 sq. km across the razor sharp Singalila
Range, which forms the natural international border
with Nepal. In the South the Rambong Khola separates
it from West Bengal. There are three points of entry
– Hilley, Dentam & Soreng. Tourists generally prefer
Hilley since it is approachable by road. While
trekking through this footpath one can enjoy the
sight of different species of mountain flowers &
sometimes-even Red Pandas!
On reaching Barsey different species of beautiful
Rhododendron plants blooming colourful flowers
welcomes you especially during the month of April &
May, whereas during the winters in the month of
December & January, the sight of beautiful white
sheet of snow enveloping the garden of Rhododendron
is most enjoyable.
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