Yuksom - Gateway to Kanchenzonga

Yuksom, spread over a total area of 812.16 hectares (2,006.9 acres) situated at an average altitude of 1780 m was established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal , the first Chogyal (temporal and religious king) of Sikkim, is a historical town in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It was here that the first Chogyal was coroneted, after which the Namgyal Dynastic rule lasted for 333 years (1642 – 1975). The coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim is known as the "Throne of Norbugang". The throne made of stones is even today considered sacred as is the footprint of Lhatsun Chenpo, which can be seen close to the throne.

Yuksom is situated at the head of Khangchenjunga National Park, the largest Protected Area in Sikkim, and is the starting point for the trekking trail to Mt. Khangchendzonga, trekking to Dzongri being the most popular. Yuksom and its hills was named in the past as Ney-Pemathang for its beautiful landscape and its bio-diverse forest cover in the hills consisting of broad-leaved oak, birch, maple, chestnut, magnolia, rhododendron, silver fir, ash and alder.

Yuksom literally means the “meeting place of the three learned monks” as it was founded by three monks who came from Tibet and selected Phuntsog Namgyal as the first King of Sikkim giving him the title Chogyal. 'Chogyal' means “Religious King” or “the king who rules with righteousness”. Yuksom literally means the “meeting place of the three learned monks” as it was founded by three monks who came from Tibet and selected Phuntsog Namgyal as the first King of Sikkim giving him the title Chogyal. 'Chogyal' means “Religious King” or “the king who rules with righteousness”.

It is believed that in year 1641, Lama Lutsum Chembo travelled from Tibet to Denjong (meaning hidden country) now known as Sikkim to propagate the Buddhist religion, later He was joined by two other lamas, Sempa Chembo and Rinzing Chembo. This trinity of the most revered Lamas belonged to the Kham district in Tibet. With their primary aim to perpetuate Tibetan hold on Sikkim and with a mission to propagate Buddhism in Sikkim, they assembled from different directions at Norbugang, which later came to be known as Yuksom. The area in Rathong chu valley at Narbugong was considered to be blessed by Guru Padma Sambhava (Guru Rim-bo-che).

The vision of Saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rim-bo-che) had predicted the essentiality of a fourth person for the purpose of establishment of Buddhism in Sikkim, accordingly the Lamas went in pursuit of the fourth person. As the three lamas represented three directions of North, South and West in Tibet and also according to legend, Guru Rinpoche, the 9th century Buddhist saint had also foretold that a Phuntsog from the east would be the next chogyal of Sikkim, the three lamas went in search of the chosen person in the eastern region. Near the present day Gangtok, they found a man churning milk. On seeing them, the man offered them some refreshments and gave them shelter. Impressed by his deeds, they realised that he was the chosen one. They also identified Phunstsog Namgyal's ancestral royal links with Tibet and accordingly decided that he is the right person to become the temporal and religious head of the region. They then brought him to Yuksom, where they crowned him at Norbugang near Yuksom as the temporal and religious king of Sikkim, with the title of “Chogyal”. The crowning took place on a pedestal set in stones, in a pine-covered hill, and he was anointed by sprinkling water from a sacred urn. At the age of 38 years of age, he was a fifth generation descendant of Guru Tashi, a 13th century prince from the Mi-nyak House in Kham in Eastern Tibet. Thereafter, the dynastic rule of Chogyals, propagation of the Buddhist religion and building of monasteries and chortens took firm roots in Sikkim which lasted for 333 years spread over the reign of 12 kings. Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism known as Vajrayana sect was introduced, which ultimately was recognized as the state religion of Sikkim.

After becoming the King, the first initiative the Phuntsog took was the conversion of the local Lepcha tribes to Buddhism . He the set about expanding his kingdom up to the Chumbi Valley in Tibet, parts of modern day Darjeeling in the south, and parts of eastern Nepal with the full support of the three lamas

Phuntsog made Yuksom as his capital and instituted the first centralised administration. The kingdom was divided into twelve Dzongs or districts under a Lepcha Dzongpon (governor) who in turn headed a council of twelve ministers. During his reign Buddhism was consolidated as the established religion in Sikkim. In 1670 he was succeeded by his son, Tensun Namgyal who shifted the capital to Rabdentse finishing the importance of Yuksom.

Yuksom is a small village with population of approx 2000 people. The Bhutias and the Nepalese constitute major communities in the village, with the Bhutia community being the dominant ethnic group. However, the service and the trading sectors are dominated by people from the plains

Dubdi Monastery

Established in 1701, Dubdi Monastery was the first monastery established soon after the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal. Located on a hill top above Yuksom surrounded by verdant forest, it professes itself to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim. It can be approached by an hour of trekking negotiating steep slopes. It is also known as the Hermit's Cell after its reclusive founder Lhatsun Namkha Jigme.  

Phamrong Waterfalls :

This is the highest waterfall of West Sikkim is located between Yuksom and Gerethang . A gentle gradient footpath takes one to a viewpoint for a closer view of this mighty discharge of water for a magnificent view especially during monsoon when it is at its peak. 

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