Pelling - The Land of Beautiful Views

Around 115 kms from Capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, and about 135 kms from Silliguri, 10 kms from district headquarters Gyakshing, at an altitude of 7200 feet, Lies the town of Pelling, now the second most popular tourist destination of Sikkim. The town in itself is not more than hotels, Guest houses , Shops and few residences lined up around the road, but it offers breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga and surrounding ranges including Koktang, Kumbhakarna, Rathong, Kabru, Dom,  Pandim, Zopuno, Shimbho, Narsing, Siniyalchu. Pelling is the closest you can get to view Mr Kanchenjunga without leaving the comfort of your hotels. Pelling is not only the base for the excursions in South Sikkim, but also gives you base to explore some of the more important monasteries of Sikkim. Pelling is connected to the towns of Jorethang, Kalimpong and Namchi .The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport . Sikkimese is the most widely and commonly spoken language of Pelling, while most of the people are Buddhists. Other languages spoken are Nepali, Hindi and English .

The following are the excursions and sightseeing from Pelling.

Pemayangtse Monastery: Pemayangtse literally means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus' and is believed to represent the four plexus of Human Body, Pemayangtse Monastery was founded in 1705, belongs to the Nyingma-pa sect of Tibet Buddhism and controls all other monasteries of the sect. Pemyangtse Monastery is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of Sikkim. Located about 140 kms west of Gangtok, it was designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, as a small Lhakhang, during the reign of Chodar Namgyal at Rabdentse was subsequently enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal who was considered as Lhatsun Chenpo's third reincarnate, Jigme Pawo.

Chador was a very religious person and he had taken several initiatives for the spread of Buddhist religion in Sikkim, He had  even decreed that the second of every three sons of Bhutia family shall be ordained as monk of the Pemayangtse Monastery. The monks for this monastery are chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim. The monastery was built for "pure monks" (ta-tshang) meaning "monks of pure Tibetan lineage", celibate and without any physical abnormality. This practice is still retained. Only the monks of Pemayangtse Monastery are entitled to the title "ta-tshang". The head lama of this monastery had the unique privilege of anointing the Chogyals of the erstwhile monarchy of Sikkim with holy water.

 The monastery is a three-storied building and houses a good collection of wall paintings and sculptures. The monastery, which overlooks the Rabdantse ruins, has well manicured gardens within its compound where the residential accommodation for the monks is also located. The first floor of the monastery has a notable collection of ancient Buddhist antique idols, scriptures as well as sculptures and decorated paintings notable amongst them is Padmasambahva’s eight incarnations in fierce form.  On the third floor of the monastery, there is a seven-tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, known as "Sanghthokpalri" also spelt "Zandog-palri", complete with rainbows, angels and the whole panoply of Buddha and bodhisattva. This structure was constructed by Dungzin Rimpoche over a period of 5 years

Another characteristic feature seen in this monastery is the presence of  statues of Padmasambahva and his two consorts in the main prayer hall (1,500 square feet (140 m²) area),. The main statue of Padmasambahva (also known as Guru Rinpoche who revived Buddhism in Tibet and was also the propagator of Vajrayana or tantric form of Buddhism ) seen here is in his wrathful form as Dorje Bhurpa Vjarakila with multiple heads and arms. The Dukhang or Lakhang, the main temple has colourfully painted doors and windows and depict Tibetan designs

In January/ February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse.

Sang-Choling Monastery

This monastery is situated on a ridge on the top of the mountain above Pelling facing the Pemayangtse Monastery about 03 kms from the town of Pelling. Built in 1697 A.D., Sanga Cholling is considered to be second oldest monastery of the State. Sangachoeling means 'the island of esoteric teaching'. This gompa is designed by  Lhatsun Chenpo and is highly venerated among the Nyingmapa. Gutted by fire, it has been rebuilt and houses some of the original clay statues.

The road  to monastery is not motorable and one needs to take a 45 minutes walk through a quite path to reach the monastery. But once you reach at the monastery, you will be rewarded by great views of Kanchenjunga and Pelling town .

Darap Cherny Village

Darap Village is located about 6 kilometers from Pelling on the way to Yuksam.  Darap Village is inhabited mainly by People from Limboo Community apart from a small number of families from mixed communities like Bhutias, Chettris, Tamangs, Rais, Gurungs and Lepchas. The area is a gentle valley unlike other locations in west. Culturally and traditionally rich, Darap appears photogenic when bough wheat farms bear flowers and harvest takes place. .

Rabdantsey Ruins:

Rabdantse 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. It is at a walking distance from Pelling and the Pemayangtse monastery and can be approached by following a footpath which branches off the main road.  Khecheolpari Tso  ( Kecheopalri Tso)

Khechepalri means – mountain of blissful heaven. Kecheolpari lake is located about 27 kms from Pelling and accessible through a motorable road is a popular tourist point. It is one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim. Hidden in the rich forest cover, It is believed that birds do not permit even a single leaf to float on the Khecheopalri lake surface.Legend has it that the place where the lake is located was once a grazing ground scattered around  with stinging nettle. Native Lepchas used the bark of the nettle for a number of purposes. One day a Lepcha couple while peeling the bark of the nettle  saw a pair of conch shells coming through the air and entering into the ground. Soon after the earth beneath shook violently and spring of water came ou engulfing the entire ground turning it into a huge lake. As per Nesol text, the lake is recognised as the abode of Tshomen Gyalmo, the chief protecting nymph of dharma as blessed by goddess Tara. Native people believe that the shape of the lake resembles the footprint of goddess Tara.

The sacred lake lies in a depression surrounded by prayer flags and forested hills. By the lakeshore is the small Lepcha village of Tsojo, and about 1.5km above the lake is the Khecheoplari Gompa can also be visited.

The place is popular among trekkers offering various trekking options. The most popular is the walking trail from Pelling to Khecheolpari (5 hours). It is also possible to trek to Yuksom from Khecheolpari (4 hours).

Most tourists visit Khecheolpari as part of the full day sightseeing of Pelling, with the tour starting at Pelling and moving through Darap Village and Rimbi falls reaching at Khecheopalri. The lake can also be reached through Yuksom via Singshore bridge and Kanchenjunga falls.

Khangchendzonga Waterfalls

An hour and a half drive from Pelling, On way to Yuksom, one comes across Khangchendzonga twin Water Falls. It is an amazing sight of breathtaking beauty of a wild torrent of water cascading down granite rocks and is a place not to be missed by the tourists