Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Pelling, Sikkim


Pelling is famous for the magnificent view of the snow-capped mountains of Khangchendzonga. High above the forest covered hills, in an amphitheatre of cloud, snow and rock, amazingly brilliant falls, the entire route from Yuksam over Dzongri La to the Rathong Glacier can be seen. Here you can realise little more, the beauties of Sun rise among the Khangchendzonga. the pictures shows you the difference of colour step by step during the Sun rise.It is an idyllic spot on top of a ridge, is surrounded by mist


Pelling is about 133 km away from Siliguri and 125 km from Gangtok and well connected by bus and jeep services. Placid Pelling pulls most of the visitors for its representative status in history, nature and culture of the state. Situated at an altitude of 6,800 ft, including the Koktang, Kumbhakarna, Rathong, Kabru, Dom, Khangchendzonga, Pandim, Zopuno, Shimbho, Narsing, Siniyalchu and others.


Pelling itself consists of little more than a road junction, Helicopter pad and numerous hotels, creating the so-called "Bengali Boulevard", a strip of highly unimaginative identikit concrete blocks. Luckily, from most angles this development is hidden by the forested slopes and Pelling offers numerous attractive walks and hotel terraces from where one can gaze in awe at the world's third highest peak. 


Pelling gives a spectacular views of the Mount Khangchendzonga, the Guardian Deity of Sikkim and the worlds third highest mountain along with other sister mountains bowing before the Godly figure in reverence. Pelling is an ideal getaway for tourists as its vicinity has numerous waterfalls, soft trek routes, villages and soothing atmosphere for all discerning.


HOW TO GET TO PELLING:

RAIL CONNECTIONS: Out-station trains (Indian Railways) generally come into either New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri. From there, visitors may proceed to Pelling by "Toy-Train" (journey time 6.5 to 7 hrs) or bus or taxi, Limo Van or Land Rover (journey time 3 to 3.5 hrs) to Pelling.

AIR CONNECTIONS: Bagdogra Airport Near Siliguri is the nearest airport, approx 130 km (5hours) from Pelling.




TOURIST CARS/BUSES: Tourist Cars, Tourist mini coaches and Taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Pelling and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra. and also for sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Pelling.



ROAD CONNECTIONS: Pelling is connected with all weather metaled road with Siliguri, Kalimpong, Gangtok etc.
Foreigners visiting Pelling must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Pelling. However, necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when required.




LOCAL TRANSPORT: Shared jeeps travel regularly until mid or late afternoon between Pelling and Ghezing; twice daily for Gangtok, and once a day for Siliguri. There is no direct service to Yoksum from Pelling but a daily bus leaves Ghezing and travels via Legship and Tashiding. One bus leaves Ghezing daily for Khecheopalri Lake and passes through Pelling, and two leave Pelling for Ghezing, and eventually back to Pelling.

PLACES OF INTERSETS AROUND PELLING:

DUBDI MONASTERY:

 Dubdi Monastery also commonly called as the Yuksum Monastery is another Buddhist pilgrim centre located in the Tibetan Buddhism of the Nyingma Sect, close to Yuksum.This monastery was constructed in the year 1701.

Pemayangtse Monastery:

 Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. This is one of the most important monasteries of Sikkim. Founded in 1705, this monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect. The three-storied building of the monastery houses a good collection of wall paintings and sculptures. On the third floor of the monastery, there is a seven-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche,  In January/ February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.

    
          SINGSHORE BRIDGE:

Singshore Bridge, a 260 metre suspension bridge is located at a short distance of 5 km from Pelling. It is also the highest bridge of Sikkim and said to be the 2nd highest bridge gorge bridge in Asia.in Asia.The Singshore Bridge was built 17 years ago by connecting two hills. It is situated 25 km away from Pemayangtse Monastery.Watching the base  ground from middle of the bridge is thrilling and fascinating.


 


           RIMBI WATER FALLS: 


Rimbi Waterfalls are approximately 12 km away from Pelling and further about 5 km from the Darap Village. They are situated along the banks of Rimbi River.   These waterfalls lead into the Rimbi River,

      
 Changey Water Fall (Seven Sisters)Kanchendzonga Falls :

Changey Waterfall is located  Nearly twenty eight kilometers from Pelling, eighteen kilometers further than Rimbi and five kilometers before Yuksam on the western slope of Pelling district of Western Sikkim. Situated at a height of about 300 metres, these falls are on the way to Dentam Valley.A fresh stream water fall from the rocky cliff and the beautiful surroundings are worth visiting.Seven Sister Waterfall has a unique charm




  The falls being wonderfully large in size and equally attractive through out the year, it has become one of the leading tourist spots in west Sikkim. While descending, these falls disappear into the extensive greenery around the waterfall and because of the whiteness of the waterfall it appears like a great white line, with the backdrop of dense green vegetation. The fall flows through the Changey village from Ranidhunga and is considered as a famous tourist destination


 
       RIMBI RIVER :

Rimbi is a wonderful river,
Rimbi water falls leads into the river famous for its beauty and activities like fishing. A wonderful Rock Garden is constructed by the Sikkim tourism Depertment on the bank of Rimbi river, that is Sewaro Rock Garden

SEWARO ROCK GARDEN :

Sewaro Rock Garden is constructed and maintained by Sikkim's tourism department. Mainly constituting rocks, gardens, pools, zig zag foot paths and various recreational amenities like swimming pools, viewpoints and cafeterias. Considered as one of the most popular picnic spots it is visited by people from various communities and schools every day.The rock garden of the area is situated nearly twelve kilometers from Pelling.Rimbi River, Waterfalls, old Power station, Sewaro Rock Garden are some of the places nearby. Nearly five kilometers further down from Rock garden is the Darap village on the Rimbi River Bank. It is on the way to Khecheopalri and Yuksam. The main attraction of the park is the water falls, Hydel station and the nearby villages.

SANGACHEOELING MONASTERY :Sangachoeling Monastery is about 7 km away from the Pemayangtse Monastery and is considered as the second oldest monastery of Sikkim. Located about 3 km away from south west of Upper Pelling district, this monastery can be reached by walk.   Sangacholing, which means the land of scared spell is a monastery which was built in 1695 by Lhatsun Ankh Sigma.



DARAP SUBBA VILLAGE:

Darap Subba Village is located 6 km away from Pelling on the way to Yuksum. This palace  in inhabited mainly by people from Limboo Community and a small number of families from mixed communities like Bhutias, Chettris, Tamangs, Rais, Gurungs and Lepchas.


Khecheopalri Lake:  Khecheopalri Lake is a sacred lake, located in the north-west direction of Pelling town. This lake is known by many names like the Wishing Lake, Kha-Chot-Palri and Sho Dzo Sho, which means Oh Lady, Sit Here. Considered holy by Buddhists as well as Hindus, this lake is thronged by devotees from around the world.   The lake of Khecheopalri lies about 24 km from Pemayangtse Monastery. When seen from an elevated point, this lake looks like the foot mark of Lord Shiva.

R E M E M B E R :
Darap Falls, Changay Waterfalls, Pemayangtse Monastery, Singshore Bridge, Rimbi waterfall, Rabdentse Ruins, Sanga - Choling Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Khang - Chen - Dzonga Waterfalls, Yuksom, Dubdi Monastery, Phamrong Waterfalls, Dentam Valley and Singshore Bridge are some of the places of tourist interest and are covered in one day sight seeing. Among the lot Khecheopalri Lake and the waterfall are two best sites where one can spend a lot of time. Half a day tour to the west of Pelling includes all these sights and the sightseeing can be extended for the whole day.