| West Sikkim |
The capital of West Sikkim is Geyzing, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other important towns include Pelling and Jorethang. West Sikkim also has the ancient capital of the state Yuksom. It served as the capital beginning in 1642 for almost 50 years until it was shifted to Rabtense. Other attractions include the Dubdi Monastery, the first monastery of the state, andKhecheoperi lake. According to legend not a single leaf is allowed to fall on the surface of the lake. The district was under the occupation of the Nepalese for many decades in the 18th and 19th centuries. After the Gorkha War, the district was returned to Sikkim. The people are still mainly of Nepali descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha and Bhutia communities. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the district. The economy is mainly agrarian, despite most of the land being unfit for cultivation owing to the precipitous and rocky slopes. The region has many power projects and enjoys almost uninterrupted electricity. Roads however, are in a poor condition owing to the frequent landslides. Since most of the district is hilly it enjoys a temperate climate. Above 3,800 m the slopes are full of rhododendron forests. Gyalshing Gyalshing, or Geyzing, is the district headquarter of West Sikkim, located 117 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 2085 m. The town is mainly a transport hub for the rest of West Sikkim. There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses available. Transport Gyalshing is well connected by shared jeeps and taxis to the rest of West Sikkim, as well as Gangtok and Siliguri. Jeeps generally leave when full. Gyalshing to Gangtok Rs 150, 117 km Journry time 5 hours Gyalshing to Pelling Rs 30, 10 km Journey time 20 minutes Gyalshing to Yuksam Rs 90, 40 km Journey time 2 and a half hours Gyalshing to Khecheopalri Lake Rs 70, 39 km Journey time 2 hours Pelling Pelling, once a quiet village in West Sikkim, is rapidly turning into a bustling tourist destination and has recently come up with numerous hotels and lodges. Pelling houses the famous 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. Pelling is also famous for the magnificent view of Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest mountain in the world. Pemayangtse, the sublime lotus is the premier monastery in Sikkim. Although Dubdi monastery in west Sikkim is considered the oldest monastery having been built in 1705, it is the Pemayangste monastery which is held in highest regard. It is believed that with the establishing of Dubdi monastery, three more were gtimes/index.htmlconstructed in West Sikkim over spots consecrated by Guru Rinpoche. These were the ones at Tashiding, Pemayantse and Sangachoeling. While the monasteries at Tashiding and Sangachoeling were open to all monks, Pemayantse was special because it was one meant only for ‘ta-sang’ lamas (pure monks). To the present day, it is only monks from Pemayangtse who can enjoy the tittle "ta-sang". The monastery contains numerous antique idols and objects of worship and is filled with wall paintings and sculptures. One of the most famous features of the Monastery is a seven-tiered painted wooden structure on the top floor portraying the Guru Rimpoche’s Heavenly Palace ‘Santopalri’ which was completed single handedly by the late Dungzin Rimpoche in a span of five years. The annual Chaam (monk dance) is held on the 28th and 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Lunar Calander. 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. Transport No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Pelling. Shared jeeps travel regularly between Pelling and Geyzing, twice daily to Gangtok, and once a day for Siliguri. There is no direct service to Yuksum from Pelling but a daily bus leaves from Geyzing and travels to Yuksom via Legship and Tashiding. One bus leaves Geyzing daily for Khecheopalri Lake, passing through Pelling. Khecheopalri Lake Located 33 km from Pemayangtse Khechropalri lake is also known as the wishing lake. A tranquil place, surrounded by forest, it is considered to be 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. Accommodation There are no hotels or guesthouses at the lake but there is a trekker's hut and a pilgrims hut provided by the Tourist Department. Yuksom/Yuksam The hamlet of Yuksam is set amidst pristine hills and lakes. According to historical records the first Chogyal (King) Phuntsok Namgyal of Sikkim was consecrated by the three wise lamas in Yuksam in 1641. Yuksam literally means the meeting place of the three learned monks and was the first capital of Sikkim. Yuksam is also the starting point for most treks into West Sikkim, including the Dzongri and Goecha La treks. Yuksam is said to be the gateway to Shangri-La or Ney-Pemathang, that mythical utopian land. Many stories are told about the existence of Shangri- La in the Himalayas. The search for Ney-Pemathang is known to have been made twice in Sikkim, most recently in the early 1960s. Local people recall the arrival in Yuksam of Rimpoche Tarten Tarzey Lingpa from Ladakh. Many Yuksam residents joined the group and trekked into the area surrounding Mount Khangchendzonga. After spending several months in the area, the followers grew impatient for the Rimpoche to open the "gateway" to Ney-Pemathang. Unfortunately, while preparing to open the way, the Rimpoche and his followers died in an avalanche, and Ney- Pemathang remained unopened. According to legend, among the three Tartens who know of the location of Ney-Pemathang, two have failed to open the gate. The last Tarten is expected to be born in the 21st century, and people still talk of the place where life is immortal and where one grain of rice can feed the whole population of Ney-Pemathang. Yuksam lies on the edge of the Khangchendzonga National Park, the largest protected area in Sikkim. The rich forests harbor abundant wildlife. With the increase in movement of people and the spread of farming settlements, wildlife sighting have become less frequent, yet with careful observation many animals and birds can be seen within the Park, including deer, bear, squirrels, civet cat, wild cat, rabbits, langurs, tahr, goral and mongoose. In addition there are a number of rare and endangered species including the red panda and snow leopard. A Wildlife Interpretation Centre is located close to the Trekkers Hut. Dubdi Monastery, built in 1701, is one of the oldest monastery in Sikkim. It is located at the top of a hill about an hour's walk from Yuksam. Also known as the Hermit's Cell after its reclusive founder Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, it was built by the followers of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The word Dubdi means 'the retreat'. The trail to Dubdi winds through lush forests high above the village, offering scenic overlooks and impressive mountain views. Norbugang is the site where, in 1642, three learned Lamas, Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Kathok Rigzin Chenpo, Nga-Dak Sempa Chenpo, gathered at Yuksam 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 contains soil and water from all over Sikkim. Norbugang is easily reached on a 15 minute walk from Yuksam. |
Accommodation There are a few hotels in town which provide lodging facilities for the visitors and also serve as restaurants. Transport No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Yuksam. Daily jeeps travel to Yuksam from Geyzing, 40 km away. The journey costs around Rs 90 and takes 2 and a half hours. Barshay/ Versay Located in the extreme west of Sikkim, Barshay is famous for its rhododendrons. Its huge Rhododendron forest is an experience to visit during the flowering season from mid march to the end of April. The whole forest is aflame with Rhododendron flowers, with hues ranging from blood red to pure white. The Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is spread over 104 square 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 and Soreng. Tourists generally prefer Hilley since it is approachable by road. The bridle path to Hilley from Barsey already exists and is a favourite amongst tourists specially during the Rhododendron flowering season. The climate is wet and cold favouring the spread of Rhododendrons. July is the wettest month, with the average annual precipitation being in excess of 250 cm. The areas above 2500m receive regular snowfall in winter. Clear skies can be experienced only from November to May. Entry permits for visitors can be obtained from the wildlife check post at Hilley or from the Forest Secretariat in Gangtok. Entrance - Rs 50/day Students - Rs 25/day Local Guides and Porters - Rs10/day Tents Pitching Charges - Rs 25/day Still Camera - Rs 10/day Video Camera - Rs 500/day Accommodation A Tourist Trekker's hut exists in Barsey, amidst the Rhododendron forests, commanding a glorious view of the Singalila Range. Boarding and Lodging facilities are available including dormitories. Bookings can be made from the Tourism Department in Gangtok or directly at Barsey. Reshi Hot Springs These hot springs are located near Reshi on the River Rangit, 25 km from Gyalshing. The water of these springs is said to have medicinal value. People from all over the state and neighbouring Darjeeling come here during the winter months and spend days together lying submerged in the soothing water of the hot springs. The springs are also considered very holy as one of the four holy caves is located here. This holy cave is called the Kadosang Phu or cave of the occult fairies and lies on the south of the four cardinal points. Accommodation There are a couple of trekkers huts for the convenience of the tourists and it is also possible to camp here. |