|
West Sikkim
Sikkim Tourism, Tourism Sikkim, Pelling, West
Sikkim tour travel, tour west sikkim, Pelling Ravangla, Ravanla,
Pelling, Rinchenpong, Package tour Pelling, Pelling Kalimpong,
Darjeeling, Gangtok, Yumthang
The places to visit are:
1. Pemayangtse
Monastery
2. Pelling
3. Rabdentse Ruins
4. Sanga-Choling Monastery
5. Khecheopalri Lake
6. Khangchendzonga Water Falls
7. Yuksom
8. Dubdi Monastery
9. Phamrong Water
Falls
10. Noubugang
11. Shiva Mandir,
Legship
12. Tashiding
Monastery
13. Varsey
Apart from the above, there are
places of interest like, Kongri-Labdang, Soreng, Chakung, Jureli
Danra Viewpoint, Rinchenpong – Kuluk, Hee Bermiok, Sirijonga
Fooku and Wadhan (Cave), Dentam, Singshore Bridge, Uttarey also
enriched the beauty of West Sikkim.
Top
1. Pemayangtse
Monastery
Distance - 140 km ( from Gangtok )
Built in - 17th Century
Pemayangtse is situated in Pelling, around 6 km from Gyalsing,
West Sikkim and commands an impressive view of Mount
Khangchendzonga. It was originally a small Lhakhang built by
Lhatsun Chempo in the 17th Century. Later during the rule of the
third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal, Jigme Pawo, Lhatsun Chenpo's
third reincarnation extended it and rebuilt the structure. It is
perched at a height of 2085 mts and is the second oldest and
perhaps the most important monastery in Sikkim. This monastery
belongs to the Nyigma order and all other Nyigma order
monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it.
The monastery houses numerous religious idols and other objects
of worship, most of which are precious because of their
antiquity. On the top floor of the monastery there is a wooden
sculpture depicting the Maha Gurus Heavenly Palace "Sanghthokpalri".
This master piece was completed by the late Dungzin Rimpoche,
who took five years to craft it single handed.
The main festival of the monastery is on the 28th & 29th day of
the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, normally corresponding
to the month of February. During these two days religious dances
are performed and pilgrims come from all over Sikkim to watch
them. Dressed in costumes of rare magnificence, the Lamas
represent Mahakala and Guru Drag-dmar. The dance ends on the
third day with the unfurling of the `Ghyo- ku' - a gigantic
embroidered Buddhist scroll as the devotees bend down in homage.
The second oldest monastery, it is situated at a height of 6,840
ft is the head of all others and belonging to the Nyingma-pasect.
Presenting a gorgeous view of the mountain ranges, it is now
equipped with 50-bed Tourist Lodge catering to travellers who
want to visit this ancient and holy place which is an ideal base
for those who would like to explore the unspoiled charms of the
neighbouring spots and trek to Yuksom and Dzongri.
The main hall has an area of 1500 sq.ft. The monastery houses
religious idols and priceless antiques. On the top floor of
monastery there is a wooden sculpture portraying the Mahaguri's
Heavenly Palace Sangthokpalri. The main festival is on the 28th
and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, normally
corresponding to the month of February.
Rabdanste, which is couple of kilometers from Gyalshing bazaar
and near the Pemayangtse monastery, was the second capital of
Sikkim and 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 the
Nepalese and the capital was shifted to Tumlong. The Rabdanste
Palace is in ruins and one has to trek about two kilometres from
the main road near Pemayangtse monastery through a thick forest
to reach it. The chortens around the palace have however
withstood the elements of nature. The ruins are now being
preserved by the Archaelogical Surnvey of India and have been
declared as a monument.
Top
2. Pelling
A quiet village in West Sikkim houses the famous
 Pemayangtse
Monastery and has now turned into a bustling tourist destination
and has come up with numerous hotels and lodges.
From here one can view Mt. Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Siniolchu
and other ranges. At The hillock is Pemayangtse monastery, the
sublime lotus, the premier monastery in Sikkim belonging to
Nyingmapa sect and is head of all other monasteries of the sect
in Sikkim
Top
3. Rabdentse
This was the second capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim
after Yuksam and till the year 1814 A.D., the king of Sikkim had
ruled the state from this place. Today, the Rabdentse ruins lie
hidden from the main road at a walking distance from the tourist
lodge and the Pemayangtse monastery. It can be approached by
following a footpath which branches off the main road.
The scenic view from the top of the ruin scanning across deep
valley to the mystic heights of Khangchendzonga ranges is
something to be cherished and etched in memory.
Top
4. Sanga Choeling Monastery
Built in 1697, Sanga Choeling means 'the island of esoteric
teaching'. 45 minutes walk from Pelling and 7 km from
Pemayangtse will take you to this second oldest monastery in
Sikkim. A 4 km trail rises from the playing fields just above
Pelling to reach the small monastery of Sanga Choeling is one of
the oldest gompas in Sikkim. This gompa is another of Lhatsun
Chenpo's creations, and is highly venerated among the Nyingmapa.
Gutted by fire, it has been rebuilt and houses some of the
original clay statues.
Top
 5. Khecheopalri Lake:
Distance - 24 or 33 km ( from Pemayangtse )
This lake is also known as the wishing lake. This unusually
tranquil lake, surrounded by verdant forest is considered as one
of the sacred lakes of Sikkim both by the Buddhist and the
Hindus and no water sport or other activities besides prayers
are allowed around it. It is believed that birds do not permit
even a single leaf to float on the lake surface. The vicinity of
the lake is an ideal place to find the Lepcha Houses and their
communities. Khecheopalri lake is considered as one of the
sacred lakes of this state both by the Buddhist and the Hindus.
The lake remains hidden in the rich forest cover. It is believed
that the birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the
lake surface. There is a motorable road from Pemayangtse right
up to the lake area.
Top
 6. Khangchendzonga Water Falls:
After an hour and a half drive from Pelling, one comes across
the twin Khangchendzonga Water Falls. On the way to Yuksom, it
is a place not to be missed by tourists for its breathtaking
beauty and grandeur.
Top
7. Yuksam/ Yuksom:
Distance - 124 km( from Gangtok ) ; 40 km ( from Pemayangtse )
Altitude - 1780 m
The hamlet of Yuksam is set amidst pristine hills and lakes,
where according to the historical records and it was here in
1641 AD the first Chogyal (King) Phuntsok Namgyal of Sikkim was
consecrated by the three wise lamas. Yuksam literally means the
meeting place of the three learned monks. This was the first
capital of Sikkim. The Norbugang Chorten and the Coronation
throne are the silent witnesses to the event of 1641. This
quaint little village is also the starting point for all the
treks into West Sikkim like Dzongri and Goechala
Top
 8. Dubdi Monastery
This was the monastery established soon after the consecration
ceremony of the first Chogyal. The monastery is located on a
hill top above Yumsom surrounded by verdant forest. It can be approached by trekking only, negotiating steep slope for about
half an hour. It is an ideal place for lamas seeking meditation
recluse.
Top
9. Phamrong Water Falls
Located between Yumsom and Gerethang this highest waterfalls of
West Sikkim presents a magnificent scenario especially during
Monsoon. A gentle footpath takes one to a viewpoint for a closer
view of this mighty discharge of water. A cafeteria is being
constructed for the benefit of tourists and the picnickers.
Top
10. Norbugang
Distance - 15 min walk from Yuksam
True to the prophecy of Tibet's founder of Buddhism, Guru
Rimpoche, some nine centuries prior,
 three learned Lamas, Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Kathok Rigzin Chenpo, Nga-Dak Sempa Chenpo,
gathered at Yuksam in 1642 from various directions and enthroned
Chogyal Phuntsog as the first religious king of Sikkim. A stone
throne shaded by a 300 year old fir still stands here today. A
foot print in stone in front of the throne is said to belong to
Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, and a nearby chorten (stupa) contains soil
and water from all over Sikkim. Thus Yuksam occupies an
important place in Sikkimese history as the first capital, and
Norbugang as an historic cultural site maintained by the
Archeological Survey of India. Norbugang is easily reached on a
15 minute walk from Yuksam.
Top
11. Legship
Also known as Kirateshwar Mahadev temple, it is situated on the
banks od Beautiful Tangeet river. A foot suspension bridge takes
devotees to its attractive location. People from all over the
state visit this holy place of eminence. According to popular
belief, whosoever worships here will earn virtues of two life
times. The festival of the temple takes place in the month of
November known as the Bala Chaturdesi. Legship also houses the
first ever built dam in the state for hydro electricity purpose.
The water accumulated in the dam is used for Rangit Water World
and local folks come here for picnics and rafting.
Top
12. Tashiding Monastery
About 16 km away from Yuksam and about 40 Kms from Gyalshing,
via Legship is this important monastery belonging to the
Nyingmapa order. It was built on the top of a hill that looms up
between the Rathong river and the Rangit river, where a rainbow
emanating from Mount Khangchendzonga came to an end. At first
only a small Lhakhang was built by Ngadak Sempa Chempo in the
17th Century. The main monastery was built by Pedi Wangmo during
the reign of Chakdor Namgyal and some of the statues built then
still exist. The sacred objects of worship in Tashiding are the
chorten Thongwa Rangdol and Bumchu( holy water). The chorten was
built by the Lhatsun Chenpo and it is believed that merely to
view the chorten is enough to cleanse one of all sins.Carved
skillfully on flagstones surrounding the monastery are holy
Buddhist mantras like 'Om Mane Padme Hum' by the master
craftsman Yanchong Lodil.
The heart of Sikkimese Buddhism as Guru Padmasambhava considered
so and houses the Tashiding Monastery along with Sacred Thongtwa
Chorten. Its so holy that even a slight glimpse of cleanses all
sins. Rich environment flooded with oranges and cardamoms and
gateway to Borong hot springs, ideal for soft treks and perfect
Sikkimese village in the setting.
Top
13. Barshay/ Versay
Altitude - 10500 ft.
Located in the extreme west is noted for rhododendrons. It's a
huge Rhododendron forest, is a must visit experience trip during
the flowering season from mid march to April end. The whole
forest is aflame with riot of Rhododendron Flowers with hues
raging from blood red to pure white and against the back drop of
the mountains its truly an unforgettable experience
Top
|
