Elephant Festival - Celebrating the Royalty

Men in  its history, have deployed many a means for their transport, some mechanized and some driven by animals. Man had rode on Horses, mules, camels and have employed bulls and even dogs to pull their vehicle and help them move, but when it comes to Elephant, it instantly exuberate royalty. One of the most difficult animals to rear and maintain and although not as swift as others,  its sheer size makes its rider feel on the top of world and powerful. 

The camel is the most visible symbol of Rajasthan, however when it comes to Rajput royalty, the elephant wins hands down. Elephants have always been a carrier of royalty in Indian culture, and to celebrate the association and beauty of this beast,  Rajasthan  - a princely state associated with abundance of  royalties initiated THE ELEPHANT FESTIVAL, to be celebrated in the Pink city of Jaipur. 

So, while Bikaner ,Jaisalmer and Pushkar celebrates the Ship of the Desert through their respective cattle fairs ,Jaipur scores it points by celebrating the symbol of Royalty The elephant. The Elephant festival is organised every year by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, just a day prior to the festival of Colors Holi ( Dhulandi), making it even more interesting. The Elephant Festival is held at its official venue, Rambagh Polo Ground in Jaipur, and attracts thousands of eager tourists from across India and overseas. 

The festival usually starts at around 1500 hrs and lasts for about 03 hrs, where apart from the Elephants, human folk artists and guests to participate, creating an atmosphere of joyous celebration of life, which culminates into the festival of colors - Holi , which is celebrated with vigour, the very next day. There is no entrance charges/ tickets to witness the festival and all are welcome to participate and witness this magnificent festival. 

The festival starts with the traditional procession of the richly decorated and caparisoned elephants , accompanied by the folk musician and dancers, who march along , while the dancers in their bright colored clothes displays their rich moves spreading a flurry of colors, the melodious folk music blend perfectly with the background, setting your mood for enjoyment. You would have rarely seen the monotonously colored black elephants in such a rich colorful avatar. The procession is followed by best decorated Elephant competition. Elephants, like beauty queens of a pageant walks on the ground displaying their makeup. Elephants are richly decorated with the application of vibrant colors on their body in different motives, their golden and silver caparison perfectly blending with the cloths , trinkets and jewellery they adorn in their neck, trunks and tusks, giving them the most beautiful look. The most innovatively and beautifully decorated Elephant is adjudged the winner and offered a prize. 

You will then see the prowess of an Elephant as it swiftly moves covering the vast Polo Ground, while a match of Elephant Polo is played. The players wear saffron and red turbans, sit on the elephants, and try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Only female elephants take part in this festival. Elephant Polo is followed by a race between the Elephants. 

Visitors and tourists also get to test their strength when tourist (mostly foreigners- on account of extending courtesy to the guest an integral part of India culture) picked from the audience get to participate in the tug of war with the elephant. Since years ,there is always one winner, every year however the visitors do hope to reverse the obvious result.

Th Crafts Museum, Delhi - Preserving Folk Art Legacy

National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, New Delhi

 

With the advent of modern technology and machines capable of producing items on mass scale without the interference of the human in most cases, the scope of human creativity being engraved into the creation of the articles of daily use, be its textile or utensils have got limited. It also mean that those engaged in the creative field of Handicrafts and textiles too are seeing the demand of their produce dwindling and their art facing extinction.

With the aim of preserving the traditional arts and crafts of craftsmen from different parts of India, showcasing their talent and giving them a platform where they can display their creation directly to the buyer, National Handicrafts and Handloom Museum was established in the year 1956. The sustained effort of the renowned freedom fighter Smt Kamladevi Chattopadhyaya over 1950’s -60’s saw its further expansion for a period of next 30 years , to give it the present form and scale.

Located on Bhairon Road, near Pragati Maidan in Delhi and run by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, it is also popularly known as crafts museum, The crafts Museum is unique in a way as it painstakingly imitates typical Indian villages from different parts of India, where the craftsmen sitting outside the museum displays their skills. A visit to Crafts museum will not only let you see the long history of the Indian crafts and the produce of some of the finest folk craftsmen, it also gives you an insight into the way people in Indian villages stay and go about their daily life.

Today the museum holds over 35,000 rare and distinctive pieces of pottery, wood carvings, metal ware sculpture, image and toys sculpture, folk paintings, tribal textiles and hand made jewellery, embroidery of tribes from Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh among other states. Some of the arte facts on display are upto 300 years old. All craft items are housed in the buildings designed between 1975 and 1990 by renowned architect Charles Correa, who has incorporated traditional architectural vocabulary into a modern design.

The museum is further divided into five different galleries which include the Tribal and Rural Craft Gallery, Gallery of Courtly Crafts, Textile Gallery, Gallery of Popular Culture & Ritual craft gallery. Each of these galleries display a wide range of collection of some rate and unique craft work that ranges from lamps, incense stick burners, bronze and precious metal-ware images and jewellery, stone and wood sculptures, utensils and accessories for daily use, clay pots, clay dolls and wooden toys, puppets, tribal masks and jewellery, bamboo, cane and terracotta craft work.Some of its prized collection include, the 250-300-year-old, Bhoota (Bhuta) Collection from Karnataka (which is basically collection of carved out figures of Goddesses and folk deities of coastal Karnataka iin wood), rare Kashmiri 300-year-old ‘dushalas’, handkerchiefs from Chamba, known for their unique embroidery, rare brocade and Baluchari saris and Kutch embroidery, precious metal jewellery, rare bronze figurines from the tribes of Chhattisgarh, architectural style of Gujarat carved in wood depicting havelis, jharokhas (window), balconies, along with wall hangings, bead work, rare and unique Brocade saris and much more . The museum also boasts of huge collection of tribal and rural textiles and is an equally interesting place to visit for researchers, designers, students and craftsmen.

The Museum also houses a village complex spread over 5 acre (2000 sqmts), a remnant of a temporary exhibition on the theme of India held at 1972. The village complex have 15 structures representing village dwellings (houses) with their elaborate courtyards, rooms and kitchens, the huts made of mud and haystacks, hay roofs and sandy streets. Each of the 15 structures represents the exact replica of a village house from a different state of India, each house equipped with the replica of items used in daily life and depicts how villagers live in actual life. The crafts village also provides accommodation to several traditional craftsmen, who can be seen working in designated areas of the museum complex, where they display how the crafts are produced and actually sell their products.

The village complex also has open walls along the corridors & passages which are used as the canvas to display the painted traditions of several tribes by folk artisans/painters. Every month new folk artists are invited from different parts of the country to paint and decorate the museum’s walls.

 

Apart from the collection of handicrafts and textile and the crafts village, the museum houses Research and Documentation facilities, a reference library, a conservation laboratory and an auditorium.

The National Handicrafts and Handlooms museum, Delhi a.k.a crafts museum is open daily except Monday. The Museum opens at 0930 hrs and is open till 1700 hrs between July and September while it is open from 0930 hrs till 1800 hrs from October to June.

National Handicrafts and Handloom Museum or Crafts Museum is doing a tremendous job in preserving and promoting the folk legacy of India.

More information can be had from the craft museum’s own website www.nationalcraftsmuseum.nic.in

Siliguri - The Gateway To North East

Siliguri : Located on the foothills of Himalaya, on the banks for River Mahananda, spread in an area of 48 sq kms, Siliguri is the second largest city in the state of West Bengal and the largest city in North Bengal. Located in the area, known as chickens neck (a thin strip of land connecting mainland India with North East) on the map of India, it is a gateway to main hill stations of North East India including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik etc. Siliguri shares its border with three countries, China, Bangladesh and Nepal which not only makes it a strategically important city but also a trading hub. With half a million of population and a booming economy, Siliguri is the transit point for air, rail and road transport for North East India. Its strategic location makes it an important military base, which is affirmed by the presence of the bases of Indian Army, Shahshatra Seema Bal, The Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security force.

The origin of Siliguri cannot be ascertained, Siliguri (known as Silichaguri till 19^th century) roughly means a heap of stones or pebbles and acted as a transit point between Nepal, Darjeeling and Kurseong. It was a small village in the trans- Morang Zone (i.e. at the meeting ground of western and eastern Morang), and belonged to the southernmost fringe of Kingdom of Sikkim. Just to the south of Siliguri, At Phanisdeoa, there was a river port having trade relations with Maldah and subsequently with the rest of Bengal and Bihar. The Sikkimese and the Bhutanese (mainly via Kalimpong as it was under Bhutan since the beginning of the eighteenth century) used the river bank near Siliguri in order to go down the Mahananda with their merchandise to Phansideoa. With the rise of King Prithvi Narayan Shah (1769 -1775), the area was annexed and came under Nepal. After the Sugauli Treaty in 1816 between British India and Nepal, post Anglo Nepal War, it became a part of British India. With the Occupation of Darjeeling in 1835 and rest of Dooars and Kalimpong in 1865, Siliguri started developing as a small town and major trading point. With the declaration of Indian Independence in 1947 and separation of Bangladesh, Siliguri saw a huge influx of immigrants and the city grow into a large town. The introduction of the railway to North East India and construction of Siliguri train station on 23^rd August 1880, played an important part in the development of this town. Siliguri today is an important town with majority of Bengali population co-existing with Gurkhas, Marwaris, Biharis etc.

Life in Siliguri revolves around 4T’s – Tea, Timber, Tourism and Transport. The climate of Siliguri is pleasurable throughout the year and is perfect for growing tea. Many Tea Garden are present in and around Siliguri town and gives it a green ethereal surrounding and a beautiful landscape to be cherished.

Being a transit point, the transport infrastructure of Siliguri is comprehensively advanced. Public Transport means include auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, local buses and large tempo. Siliguri have three major railway stations, The Siliguri Town is the Oldest in the area, Opened on 23^rd August 1880, it is the starting point for the famous narrow gauge Toy Train to Darjeeling. Siliguri Junction was the second one opened in 1949 was the point of departure for all trains to North East. It used to be one of the only railway station in India with all three gauge train tracks. Now all the long distance trains have been converted into broad gauge and the metre gauge does not exist. The New Jalpaiguri (earlier known as New Silliguri) was opened in 1964 and serves as the connecting point to every nook and corner of the country. It is one of the largest station in North East India.

Bagdogra International Airport is the only airport in the region connecting North Bengal, Sikkim and some of the North Eastern states. The airport is connected with direct flights to Kolkata and Delhi and from there connects to the rest of the world.

The Tenzin Norgay bus station connects Siliguri to Kolkata, Patna and Assam through overnight sleeper buses. It also connects to destination in Gangtok and a bus service also exists connecting to Phuentsholing in Bhutan.

Siliguri apart from being a trading hub is also a tourist paradise. Apart the Tea Gardens and beautiful, many important tourist places can be visited while in Silliguri

Salugara Monastery: Founded by Buddhist monks, it is a Buddhist pilgrim centre for the followers of Dalai Lama. There is a 100feet stupa here which is believed to have been founded by Kalu Rimpoche, the Lama from Tibet. It has five varieties of relics. Located 06 kms from Siliguri, it has scenic surroundings perfect for meditation..

Coronation Bridge: Built in the year 1930, this bridge over River Teesta, located at the meeting point of River Rangeet and River Teesta was built to respect the coronation of King George V.It is an important construction as it connects Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Situated near to Sevokeshwari Kali Mandir in the serene surroundings over the beautifully clear waters, this is a true specimen of excellent Britush architectural excellence.

Surya Sen Park: Located in Mahakal Pally, this is one of the most popular picnic spot. This is an eco friendly zone and was developed to make people aware about preserving environment and educate about alternative energy sources. There is a bust statue of Surya Sen in the park. The picturesque ambience here with majestic landscapes makes the park perfect for tourists.

ISKCON: The temple for International Society for Krishna Consciousness is in dedication to Lord Krishna. Managed by Hari Krishna Movement, it has idols of Lord Narasimha, Radha, Lord Krishna and it is resplendent with its marbled tiled flooring.

Science Centre: Located in the northern part of Siliguri. It has a collection of scientific experiments and well equipped gadgets, a nature Interpretation centre showing the diverse flora and fauna found here.

Madhuban Nature Park: An initiative by the Indian Army, it is beautifully maintained Park and is a perfect picnic spot. Rabbit, Deer, Peacocks etc are found here apart from beautiful and vide variety of butterflies.

Mahananda Weir Wildlife Sanctuary: A lovely patch of green forestland between the Teesta and Mahananda Rivers, it is full of dense Bushes and thick trees. Sambar, Elephant, Indian Bison, Fishing Cat , Barking Deer and cheetal are some of the animals fond here in abundance. It is also a great destination for trekkers offering various trekking routes.

Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary: One of the Oldest Indian Sanctuaries, located in Dooars alongside River Murti, this was declared a sanctuary in 1998. It is home to mixed dry forests with Sal, Shishu, Teak and Shirish Trees apart from beautiful Orchids are found here. Indian Bison, Indian Elephant, Cheetal, barking Deer, Pangolin etc are the main animals found here and The adjutant Stork, Green Pigeon, Indian Treepie and Green Magpie are the main birds found here. There is an observation tower here and also a tribal village.

Savin Kingdom: A tourist spot mainly for amusement and entertainment, it is a beautiful spot with great scenic beauty. Ensconced amidst Tea Plantation, it has large playgrounds and is also a favored picnic spot.

Umrao Singh Boat Club: Located at a place called Sukna, this boat club is maintained by Indian Army. The boat club offers boating on  various types of boats like paddled boat and engine boats and is a place to enjoy and relax.

Walking Tours - An Amazing way to experience Indian Culture

Once arranging the cultural tour to India was restricted to arranging of a comfortable hotel for accommodation, designing the route ensuring the most comfortable means of transportation with the lowest possible traveling time between the two cities and visit to few of the renowned monuments depicting the historical moments of the country. It was more of a relaxation holiday at a foreign locale on the premise of exploring the local culture. But did it really introduced you to the local cultures and beliefs or helped you understand the ways of life, of the people of the destination you are visiting??. Does it fulfill the role of tourism as a greater binding force by developing better understanding of each others culture??. Probably not.

With the advent of modern communication means, the life of human being has become more active, they are performing more activities per day than they used to do earlier, they are better informed, better and more widely connected, sometimes across world boundaries (through facebook or linkedin etc), still they are far from each other, bereft of understandings of others thinking, personality and cultural ethos. To fill this gap, new age travel agents are developing ways to give you a more closer look and a better understanding of the cultures you are visiting, to enable you to make a personal bond and discover the facets your culture might be lacking. It not only gives you better understanding of human life but also help make you a better person.

One of the most popular new age travel phenomenon developed to achieve this is the walking tour of the cities historical areas, which have resident people representing different eras and beliefs. A walking tour , by slowing down your travel through a particular area, not only gives you enough time to observe the day to day life from very close quarters but also gives you chance to interact with the local people. Walking through a street of residences or through an old market where resident come for their daily purchases, not only helps you come across the daily struggle a normal resident have to go through, but also helps you share briefly, their moments of joy, despair and sorrow. The walking tours give you a chance to relive some of the moments as experienced by the local people. A great local guide discussing his life experiences with you while you walk through the places where he or one of his friends/ relative has spent his childhood, will not only take you to nostalgia but will also help you to bring closer to yourself, letting you appreciate what you have and desire to have what you missed.

A lot of new age travel agents in Delhi, the historical city and capital of Modern India, have devised walking tours of Delhi introducing you, not only to its rich historical past, but also to its sound, smell and tastes. Being an amalgamation of Seven different cities of different Era, the modern day Delhi is a multifaceted city, where Old meets New, Where the people wearing ultra modern western clothes still have their traditional cultural ethos ingrained in them, where you have swanky new age malls sharing the space with the heritage era structures, where modern day transport means co exist with the traditional transport means. It gives you numerous area spread across different parts of the city, to explore, unraveling different aspects of the city’s life and history. A lot many tour operators have mastered the art of providing the walking tours across the city providing you a near authentic experience of cities culture, some of them who arrange Walking tours of Delhi – an amazing way to experience Indian culture :

www.masterjikeehaveli.com : Organized by Mr Dhruv Gupta, who is the resident of this heritage haveli in Old Delhi area, it only takes you to the bylanes of erstwhile Shahjahanabad and today’s walled city and experience the life from close quarters, but you also get a chance to visit his home, where you will have a sumptuous meal for your Lunch Or Dinner. Here you even can have a cooking lesson in Indian Cooking given by his wife. 

www.delhimagic.com : Organized by Ms Deepa Krishnan, who has specialized in organizing walking tour across India including in Mumbai, Agra, Kolkata etc, through the team of highly professional travel enthusiasts.

www.delhiheritagewalks.com : Found by Late Mr Rajesh Ranjan, Delhi heritage walks employs professionals with diverse educational background but all with he passion towards discovering and preserving the rich historical lineage of Delhi. The walks are organized at different parts of Delhi, focusing on different Era’s. Apart from scheduled walks, individual walks are also organized by them.

INTACH (The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) is a national body started in 1984, now having about 150 chapters across India. It not only prepares the comprehensive list of built heritage of Delhi and other parts of India, it plays an important part in making people aware of the rich cultural heritage through public meetings and events. Conducting heritage walks through the areas rich in heritage monuments is also part of the same efforts. It conducts scheduled walks on certain days, where people can join after paying certain fee. You will be accompanied by a historian during these walks to give you detailed information about the rich history of the monuments and city.

It co-ordinates with the local government towards preservation of the heritage monuments

SALAAM BALAK TRUST: Salaam Balak Trust is an NGO engaged in uplifting of unprivileged and less fortunate children. In this endeavor, they have picked up some children from the street and have trained them to be guide. These Children now double up as guides to take tourists to walk through the bye lanes of Paharganj and the area around New Delhi railway station, where they had spent their childhood. They will give you the insight on the daily life of these underprivileged children and their families and you will also get to learn the cultural ethos of real India.

Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park

One of the richest biodiversity Parks in North East India, Neora Valley National park is spread over an area of 88 sq kms of Kalimpong , Sub Division of Darjeeling district. Neora Valley national park derives it biodiversity from the variation of altitude it encompasses under its ambit. With its altitude varying from 600 feet to 10600 ft ( at Rechela Danda, Neora Valley National Park) displays temperate tropical vegetation to sub alpine vegetation. Established in 1986, Neora Valley National Park is the least exploited National Parks of India. Its rugged hilly train and still unexplored and unreachable dense Jungle makes it an exciting place for the nature lovers. In some parts of the park, the vegetation is so thick that the sunlight fails to penetrate and reach to the ground. Bounded by natural forests, dense bamboo groves, colorful canopy of rhododendron trees, lush green valley, meandering rivers and streams with snow capped mountains in the backdrop, it is just perfect for trekking enthusiasts.

Neora Valley National Park is rich in vegetation with various species of trees and plants growing here. Neora Valley National park is particularly rich in trees of rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns and sal. The National Park is famous for its variety of wild orchids, with its splendid colors and invigorating patterns, the orchids growing here are unique. The deep unexplored forest of Neora Valley National Park might be holding numerous exotic varieties of Orchids still unknown to man.

Known as home to Red Panda, Neora Valley national park is rich in its fauna. Apart from the highly endangered species of Red Panda found here, it is also home to endangered species of clouded leopard and Musk deer. Neora Valley national park is also home to  Indian Gaur, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard Common Leopard, Lesser Cats, Himalayan Thar, Serrow, Gural, Deer and Squirrels. The recent discovery of Royal Bengal Tiger from here had brought the National Park in high sensitive Zone at the same time increasing its diversity. According to 2002 tiger census, Neora Valley National Park has 19 big cats.

Neora National Park is paradise for the bird watchers too offering varieties of rare birds to be watched. You can find here spectacular variety of pheasants, cuckoos, minivets, flycatchers, maynas, orioles, owls, parakeets, Partridges, Sunbirds, Swallows, Swifts and Woodpeckers. Neora National Park is equally famous for the plethora of butterflies found here. Kaiser-e- Hind and Krishna Peacock are amongst the most attractive butterflies. A mammoth variety of insects including bugs, beetles, spiders and ants are also found here.King cobra, common cobra krait, green pit viper, blind snake and lizards are also found in Neora Valley National Park

           

Neora National Park can be entered from Lava, 30kms from Kalimpong and also from Samsing, 80kms from Siliguri. It offers numerous trekking routes for the trekking enthusiasts, the most popular being a six day trek through the forests comprising Samsing - Bhote Ghar - Thusum - Rechela - Alubari - Lava offering you an unforgettable thrilling experience

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Sikkim

Sikkim is a treasure house for nature lovers, a paradise for trekkers. Its bio diverse wildlife not only gives you  a chance to see the flora and fauna of different weather conditions, but also brings you closer to the nature while giving you ample opportunity to explore it in close quarters through trekking.

The major sanctuaries apart from KanchendzongaNational Park , preserving the nature of the hill state of Sikkim are as below:

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary:

Spread over an area of 43 sq kms, located on the periphery of the picturesque valley of Yumthang Chu, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is one of the best places to see various species of Rhododendrons. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is spread in Northern Sikkim, with its southern boundary being demarcated by Yakchey La while in the North is it is surrounded by the picturesque Yumthang Valley. In the east, it is surrounded by the high rugged Chuba-Sagochen mountain ranges and in the west part of Chomzomei Tso extending up to Lava pass defines its boundaries. The picturesque Yumthang Chu (river) flows through the wide valley offering a breathtaking landscape. The sanctuaries altitude varies from 3048m and 4575m

Lachung is the last frontier offering accommodation to the visitors before reaching Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and Lachung is used as the base for exploring this sanctuary. Shingba is famous for the profusion of the Rhododendron flowers, so much so that about 40 species of the flower is found here. Rhododendron nevium the State Tree occurs only in this sanctuary. Apart from Rhododendrons, the sanctuary also boasts of primulas, potentillas, gentians, saxifrages, poppies, aconites larch, juniper, maple along with rambling lichens. You can also see silver fir and well-groomed thick mat of moss shielding the soil.

Shingba Sanctuary is also famous for a large faunal variation, specially for the presence of The beautiful and highly endangered Spotted Linsang or Tiger-Civet . Other animals found here include The Serow, Goral, Blood Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge etc. Brown Trout, an exotic fish species, was introduced in Yumthang Chu in 1978 and have been flourishing since then.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary can be reached from Lachung. The best time to visit is from April to May and from September to November, when the temperature and weather is most favorable. However the best time to visit is April May, as it is the time, when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom converting the valley of Yumthang into valley of flowers.

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 104 sq kms of Soreng and Gyalshing District in west Sikkim, Barsey or Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary was established in 1988. It is an important corridor between the Kanchendzonga National Park in north and Singhalia National Park in West Bengal to the east. It is a mix mountain kind of flora with its altitude ranging from a bit above 2200 mts to above 4000 mts. The site contains five forest types: subtropical moist deciduous forest (2,200–2,400 m), wet temperate forest (2,400–2,700 m), moist temperate forest (2,700–3,250 m), sub-alpine forest (3,250–4000 m), and alpine meadows (>4,000 m).

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary can be reached from Geyzing via Hilley, Dentam or Soreng. It is a beautiful 04 kms trek from Hilley. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is famous for presence of wide variety of Rhododendrons. Almost 600 types of Rhododendron are found here out of the total 1000 types found in Sikkim. Some of the species of Rhododendron that can be easily seen in the sanctuary are arboreum, cinnabarinum, falconeri, barbatum, campanulatum hodgsoni, Acer caudatum, Betula utilis, Pieris ovalifolia, Prunus rufa, Pyrus foliolosa and P. macrophylla

Apart from the above type of Rhododendrons, the other flora found here are numerous species of Primula, Magnolia, oaks and pine. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is also famous for its fauna including the Red Panda and Black Bear. Other fauna species found here includes Leopard, Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Cannidae Wild dog, Indian Fox, Jackal, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Boar, Red Panda, Barking Deer, Serow, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Langur, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Monal Pheasant and Kaleej Pheasant, Crestless Porcupine, Rufous Tailed Hare, Chinese Pangolin, Flying Squirrel, Giant Squirrel and Himalayan Mouse Hare.

 The best time to visit is from April to May and from September to November, when the temperature and weather is most favorable. However the best time to visit is April May, as it is the time, when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom. Barsey can be reached from Sillliguri by first traveling to Jorethang ( about 03 hrs drive ) followed by drive to Hilley ( about 2.5 hrs Drive). From Hilley you need to trek to reach Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 31 sq kms, about 36 kms from the Capital of state of Sikkim, Gangtok, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary was established in 1977. With the average altitude varying between between 3292m to 4116m, it lies along the Nathula Road, in the vicinity of famous Changu Lake (Tsomgo Lake). The area extends from “15 mile Police Check Post along the ridges bordering Rongchu and Tsomgo Lake upto Nathula Pass.

This sanctuary can be visited for its blooming alpine flowers including Rhododendrons, Poppies, Primus, ground Orchids, Etc. Other important plants and trees found here includes Tall Junipers, Silver Fir, gentians, Wild strawberries, rare panax, irises etc. You can also discover medicinal plants like Nilo Bikh, Kutki, Jatamasi etc here. Rhododendron Nevium (the state tree of Sikkim) and Cypripedium Tibeticum ( the ground slipper Orchid) , both on the verge of extinctions, have been introduced here.

The sanctuary has and extended season for flowers blooming, with the different flowers blooming at different seasons/time period, and hence extending the beauty of the sanctuary for a longer periods. The best time to visit the Sanctuary is from April to August and in the month of October to November. Starting May, Primulas are the first to pop through the snow, which are followed by Rhododendrons, which are in their full bloom in June and July. Other species of flowers come to bloom subsequently with the last species to bloom being Polygonum, which dries up in October, when the winter sets in. Snow Fall is experienced in December covering the entire area with snow, untill about April.

The Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is also rich in its fauna with the various type of high altitude animals seen here including Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Blood Pheasant, Leopard, Red Panda, Common Langur, Himalayan Marmot, Yellow Throated Martens Weasel, Lesser Cats and Satyr Tragopan.

The sanctuary is also rich in its bird population with some of the commonly seen bird here are Monal Pheasant, Laughing Thrushes, Satyr, Sow Partridges, Redbilled Choughs, Redstarts, Rose Finches, Tragopan, Kestrel, Firetailed Sunbirds, Forktails etc.

The sanctuary is easily accessible by road from state Capital Gangtok through one and hour ride. Both Buses and taxis are available to travel to Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary.

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary

Located at a distance of 24 kms from the state capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, just above Singtam Dickchu Road, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 51.76 square kilometers and is a trekker’s delight. With its altitude ranging from 1524 mts to 2649 mts, it provides many a spot from where you can have a beautiful view of the Kanchendzonga ranges. The highest peak in the sanctuary is Tinhurey at 2749 mts. There are various watchtowers at Alubari, Tinijurey and Sang Tsokha, from where you can have a good view of the Kanchenjunga Ranges and the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is quite rich in its vegetation of Katus, Oak, Champ, Kimbu, Ferns and Bamboo. Also various types of Rhododendrons, Mosses, Orchids and Lycopodium too can be found here.

Amongst the fauna, the most visible animals available here are Himalayan Black Bear, Civet Cat, Red Panda, Binturong or Bear cat etc. It is also rich in its avi fauna, with the birds to the like of Satyr Tragopan, Hill Patridges, Kalij Pheasant, Collared Scops Owl, Collared Broadbill, Black Eagle, Maroon Oriole, Bulbus, Titmice, Green Pigeon, Brown Wood Owl, Nepal Tree Creeper, Orange Bellied Chloropsis, Yellow Billed Blue Magpie etc can be seen here.

Fambong Lho wildlife sanctuary offers various interesting routes for Trekkers too.

The best time to visit is from April to Late May, when the Rohododendrons are in full bloom. September to Mid December is also good for traveling as the weather is most suitable then. It can be easily accessed through the drive from Gangtok. The famous Rumtek Monastery lies on its southern Periphery.

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

Located about 65 kms From State Capital Gangtok, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 36.43 square Kilometers of South Sikkim District. Maenam lies in the northern Part of South Sikkim district and is easily accessible by road from Namchi (regular buses and taxis are available from here). Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary has an average altitude of 2300 – 3263 mts and offers you a stunning view of River Teesta flowing through it. Maenam Wildlife sanctuary is 26kms from the beautiful town of Ravangla and is located just over the Tendong hill. It is fed by Teesta River in the east and Ringit River in the West.

Maenam Literally means “treasure house of medicine”. True to its name, the sanctuary is full of plants having medicinal value. Apart from being rich in the Medicinal Plants, it also is home to various rare species of animals including Red Panda, Goral, Serow, Baring Deer, Marbled Cat, Leopard Cat, Civet Cats, Blood Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge, Magpies, Black Eagle, Blue Necked Pitta, Woodcock, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Green Pigeon, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Rufous Turtle Dove, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Common Rose Flinch, Red Headed Bullfinch, Goldheaded Black Finch etc

Maenam sanctuary is not only famous for its rich flora and fauna, but is an equally popular for the various trekking routes it offer for the trekkers. The two most popular treks are the trek of 12 kms from Ravangla to Maenam, transiting through trails of alpine Forests and striking view of Mt. Kanchendzonga, and the other one from Maenam to Borong Village.

Maenam wildlife sanctuary also offers a chance to visit Maenam Gumpha, a monastery located on the top ridge of the sanctuary and founded by Queen of Sikkim on 1969. Apart from this there is a Shiva Temple located at one of the villages and considered to be sacred along the local population.

Maenam Wildlife sanctuary can be reached from Gangtok via Ravangla and Namchi. Just 65 kms from Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Gangtok inturn connects the sanctuary with rest of India.

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 128 sq kms, Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2002 and it the newest sanctuary in Sikkim. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Pangolakha Range , which extends below the Chola Range and demarcates Sikkim with Bhutan. Hathichirey ( the place where Elephants can penetrate) form the tri junction between Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal.

The average altitude of the sanctuary varies from 1760 to 4390 mts and offers the typical alpine- temperate – subtropical vegetation, with high altitude lakes at Nathula and Jelepla. The main forest types includes trees of Rhododendron, Silver Fir, Juniper, Oak and dense Bamboo Thickets. The forest is just ideal for the habitat of Red Panda, Sikkim’s State Animal and Bison besides its act as an important corridor for Tiger and Takin. A recent survey of the Red Panda have found almost 300 Red Panda’s combined in Neora and Pangolakha National Parks.

It is more famous for its Avian Fauna with a rich repository of Birds especially near the Jelepla and Nathula. It also forms and extension of the more popular Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal, which in itself is an important bird area.

Recently a proposal has been mooted to covert Pangolakha wildlife Sanctuary into a National Park, to step up the efforts of conservation and at the same time to ensure the continuity of the Neora National Park.

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary can be reached from Gangtok via Jelepla Pass, a distance of 57 kms and 1.5 hrs drive. Gangtok in turn connects it to the rest of the country.

 

Sikkim - Nature Lovers delight

Sikkim – The land of Rhododendrons is famous for breathtakingly beautiful valleys and some of the religiously most important Buddhist monasteries. Although primarily known for its beautiful valleys, important monasteries, optimum weather of an ideal summer resort and trekking routes, it is equally rich in its biodiversity. The presence of almost 06 sanctuaries and one National Park covering almost 2300 kms of this tiny state, in itself speaks for the rich flora and fauna present here and makes it a nature lover’s delight. Sikkim is rich in its flora, with both temperate and alpine regions, spread over an altitude of 2500 feets to 10500 feets. The biodiversity of the state of Sikkim is being preserved under the following National parks and Sanctuaries:

National Park

1. Khangchendzonga National Park: North, South, West 850 sq. km.

Wildlife Sanctuaries 

1. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, North Sikkim, 43 sq. km. 

2. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary West Sikkim, 104 sq. km. 

3. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary East Sikkim, 31 sq. km. 

4. Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, East Sikkim, 51.76 sq. km. 

5. Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, South Sikkim, 35.34 sq. km. 

6. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, East Sikkim, 124 sq. km.

Kanchendzonga National Park 

Spread over 850 sq kms of area under Sikkim, Kanchendzonga (also Kanchenjunga) National Park is the largest biosphere reserve and the only National Park in the state of Sikkim. Kanchendzonga National Park covers an area of about 25% of the state of Sikkim and is probably one of the most bio diverse National Park of the world, with its altitude ranging from 1300 mts (approx 4000 fts) to 8550 mts (approx 2800 fts). The park in its ambit have the worlds third highest peak in Mt Kanchendzonga (8550 fts), many glaciers (the biggest being Zemu glacier, which is 26kms long and is one of the biggest in North East Himalayas) and other high altitude park.

Kanchenjunga National Park was established on 26 Aug 1977, and since then the Government have done excellent work in maintaining its bio diversity. Kanchendzonga in local language literally means ‘Abode of Gods consisting of five Treasure Houses'. Buddhist believes that the Kanchendzonga in itself, have hidden many important religious scripture and relics. It is also believed that Kanchendzonga is the guardian diety of Sikkim and guard the area along with the other five peaks which are Narshing, Pandim, Simvo, Kabru and Siniolchu. The most beautiful amongst these peaks are Mt. Pandim, Mt. Narshing and Mt. Siniolchu which lie in the park area.

The variation in its altitude between 4000 fts to 28000 fts has resulted in equally varied flora and fauna. The National Park at one end have temperate broad leaved forests and on the other have coniferous trees receding into barren lands, typical of high altitude mountains, in between you have mixed forests displaying the flora of both the extremes. 

The temperate broad leaved forest is dominated by Oaks, Fir, Birch, Maple, Willow etc. In the Alpine scrub and grass the common scrubs found are Mecohopsis, Primula Rhododendron, etc. besides these there are many medicinal plants and herbs found in higher Himalayan altitudes.

The variation in altitude, temperature and flora also means rich bio diversity in the animals, reptiles and birds found at Kanchenjunga National Park. The most famous of the animals found here is the Snow Leopard. Apart from Snow Leoplard, other animals of importance found here are clouded Leopard, Tibetan Wild Ass, Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Civet, Red Panda, Wild Dog, Himalayan Blue Sheep, Goral, Serow and Takin. Kanchendzonga National Park is also home to reptiles like Rat snake and Russell's viper apart from about 550 species of birds, out of which 127 are in endangered list. Some of the rare species found in Kanchenjunga National Park is Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Osprey, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier,Tragopan Pheasant, Green Pigeon, Tibetan Snowcock, Snow Pigeon, Impeyan Pheasant, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Sunbird & Eagle, Baer’s Pochard, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, and Black-breasted Parrotbill,

Best time to visit Kanchenjunga National Park is from April to May and from September to Novermber, From May to September, it is a period of monsoon and heavy rainfall making it treacherous to travel, while from November to March, the area receives snowfall and experiences very low temperatures.

Kanchendzonga National Park can be explored by trekking only. Yusksom serves as the base for various trekking routes for Kanchenjunga National Park. Yuksom is some 40 kms from Pelling and about 145 kms from state capital Gangtok. The nearest railhead for Kanchendzonga National Park is at New Jalpaiguri at 125 kms while Bagdogra at 147 kms is the nearest airport for the Kanchendzonga National Park. Darjeeling another beautiful town is about 90 kms.

Some of the most popular trekking routes are from Yusksom and Lachen.

• Yuksom - Tshoka – Dzongri

• Bakim - Dzongri - Thangshing - Samuteng – Goechala 

• Dzongri Base Camp - Rathong – Khangerteng

• Thangshing - Lam Pokhari - Kasturi Orar - Lapdong - Tashiding.

• Lachen-Yabuk-Rest Camp (Marco Polo Camp) - Green Lake

• Lachen-Thangu (13,695 feet (4,174 m)) - Muguthang (16,000 feet (4,900 m)) - Thay La (17,000 feet (5,200 m)) - Khyoksa La (18,000 feet (5,500 m)) - Rest Camp - Green Lake.

You need to obtain prior permission to visit Kanchenjunga National Park from the Ministry of Home affairs (for foreign nationals) and the Inner Line Permit from State Home Department ( both for Indian and Foreign nationals). Permission of the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also required to visit the National Park.