Tales From The Road
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Featured Travel Story of
the week: A CURTAIN RAISER TO UNENDING SERPENTINE ROADS LEADING TO TIMELESS DESTINATIONS:
Wherever you step; the feeling is mystique,
From the very fluttering of its holy colourful flags in the
unpredictable breeze, its natural chime in the atmosphere,the deep
rooted sound of a gong in a hidden monastery to a varied discovery
of 4000 types of wild flowers to 600 types of orchids, fresh blooms
in fragrant meadows, tangled blossoms dancing on large treetops,
SIKKIM is in all honesty "A PARADISE RECREATED & A HEAVEN IN THE
MAKING" Starting from its modem capital GANGTOK(meaning hilltop) to
the icy chill of TSOMGO PELLING & LEGSHIP to its picturesque TEMI TEA GARDEN & virgin slopes of RAVANGLA & finally winding its way to a lonely maiden called LACHEN while courting the melodiously photogenic LACHUNG & finally settling in the arms of an exotic maiden, presenting herself in the riot of colours ,topped with a tranquil & serene essence which binds you in a spell for all your life to come- THE YUMTHANG VALLEY.They say the best way to express oneself is to say it with flowers. Come, discover limitless expressions with rarest species of Gladiolas, Rhododendrons, Primolas, Magnolias clubbed up with 4000 varieties of wild flowers, rare trees & shrubs in a frenzied essence of exceptional beauty rivaled only by exotic wild species,colourful attire, arts, crafts, customs,rituals & enchanting jungle melodies. THE FAIRY NOOK- SHAMBALA MOUNTAIN RESORT
SHAMBALA meaning SANGRILLA-THE SACRED COUNTRY OF THE NORTHERN PART. Cuddled amongst the protective embrace ofMT.KANCHENDZONGA, MT.SINIOLCHU, MT. SIMVO, surrounded with lush green meadows, carpeted with soft burly forests & decorated with the awesome flora & fauna of the land - stands the heavenly retreat –SAMBHALA MOUNTAIN RESORT”, on the foothills of the "RUMTEK MONASTERY" half a km. away. When romance is in the air, Tranquility is what the soul needs, When languor is a luxury , AND Love is a priority – SAMBHALA MT. RESORT is an answer to all your prayers,where you migrate from the din & bustle of the city, hibernate with your loved ones where time stands still & romance is ageless, & reincarnate once more to drink life to the lees. LIFE IS TODAY BASED ON MOBILE RINGTONES, IT'S TIME NOW TO LISTEN TO THE SPECIAL SERENADES OF YOUR SOUL. The SILKEN ROUTE one has to travel inorder to feel the pulse of SIKKIM from EAST to WEST or from NORTH to SOUTH------------ whether your passion is long treks or short walks --- the everchanging landscapes, white water rafting, mountaineering amongst worlds highest peaks, photographing nature's diversity, meeting smiling people with unforgettable friendliness, enjoying festivals--- SIKKIM is your only getaway destination. SIKKIM allures you with the magical feel of the HIMALA Y AN FAIR YT ALE LAND. THE SHAMBALA MT. RESORT is designed in typical rural settings with plush modem interiors complimented with impeccable hospitality & warmth. The SHAMBALA MT. RESORT also offers you with tourist huts in traditional Lepcha, Bhutia & Nepali style. In addition the landscape around SHAMBALA MT. RESORT is bathed with amazing hamlets in unknown valleys, mystical monasteries with colourful & chirpy lamas, cryptic rivers cuddled within mountains, snowfed lakes in the HIMALA Y AN backdrop, enveloped with soft unexplored wilderness & a fiesta of rarest flora & fauna.The varied landscape of SIKKIM is a true portrayal of MOTHER NATURE at its bounty. EASTERN ESSENCE: GANGTOK, the capital is on the eastern division of SIKKIM. In & around the capital places like the Do-Drul chorten, Enchey Monastery,Cottage Industry, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Research Institute of Tibetology, Tashi View Point are places worth visiting. THE IPECAC GARDEN: Located around 14 kill. From Gangtok, this garden is over 6 acres of land. Besides ipecac, several other orchids & medicinal plants are grown here.A large green house also accommodates a number of species. This serves the purpose of a very popular picnic spot. RUMTEK MONASTERY: This sacred relic is 23 kills. from Gangtok & was constructed by HIS HOLINESS GYALWA KARMAPA, who was the 16th KARMAPA, in the 1960s during the Chinese invasion of Tibet. It is the largest monastery in SIKKIM & an exemplary in the Tibetan architecture. The SHAMBALA MT. RESORT is just half a km. away from this sacred abode of the Gods. CHANGU(TSOMGO) LAKE: A lake at 3753 mts.(l2,310ft),which is a natural marvel,is 35 kms. from Gangtok- on the Nathula highway, which forms a part of the SILK ROUTE from India to China. Changu lake around 400 kms. from Lhasa, falls under restricted area & hence an inner line permit is required to visit this place.It's cool placid water harmonises with the scenic beauty around which is doubled by it's reflection on the lake.A small temple of Lord SHIV A is constructed on the lakeside, while the primulae flowers & other alpine vegetation gives a pristine beauty to the place.During winter the lake becomes frozen & it is heard of old times that, the lamas used to study the colour of the water & forecast the future. NATHULA PASS: This pass located at 4320mts.(l4,400ft) remained as the major pass connecting SIKKIM & TIBET till 1962, through which trade continued. From Nathula ,Yathung, the erstwhile famous tradepost in the Chumbi valley in Tibet which is just 30kms. away. Surrounded by ominous black mountain ranges looming large, Nathula has a craggy & bizarre look which is essentially masculine, attracting tourists all round the year. BABA HARBHAJAN SINGH TEMPLE: This temple situated between Nathula & Jelepla Pass,is a very sacred spot to visit &is also very high in sentimental value to all the regiments stationed in SIKKIM. In 1968, while escorting a herd of mules across a stream, he fell into it & drowned, but few days later he appeared in a colleagues dream & desired to have a monument in his memory. The regiments considered the dream to be auspicious & built the monument which is considered as one of the famous pilgrimage spots of SIKKIM. The. regiments believe very blindly that BABA HARBHAJAN SINGH will save them from all calamities & the claws of the enemies. WESTERN WANTONS: While the disrict headquarters are at Geyzing, the real adventure begins from Yuksom which serves as a base camp for unforgettable treks into the mountainous paths. These high alpine treks takes you along fairytale landscapes & lush green rhododendron forests to heights of about 12,800 ft. at Dzongri.The other major attractions are the monasteries at PEMAYANGTSE & TASHIDING. Enroute from Gangtok to Pelling (1 12kms), are transit points at Singtam, Ravangla & Legship. PEMA Y ANGTSE MONASTERY: This is one of SIKKIM's holiest & second oldest monasteries .It belongs to the Nyingma-pa order & is set on a hilltop at 6840ft, providing panoramic views of the countryside.The striking murals, the model of the heavenly abode of the Guru Rimpoche that is housed here & the ambience of this sacred site justify the long & strenuous journey. KHECHEOP ALRI LAKE: This sacred lake is just 27 kms away from the Rabdentse ruins, once the capital of SIKKIM, from where one can have a great view of the mighty Kanchendzonga across a deep valley. The Khecheopalri lake also known as the "Wishing lake" or "Tsho-Sho- Tsho"is cocooned amongst green forests & surrounded- by Buddhist prayer flags. The local people believe that the birds do not allow even a single leaf to fall on the lake, thus the water remains crystal clean. TASHIDING MONASTERY: This monastery around 30kms from Legship is set on top a heart- shaped hill from where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have blessed the land of SIKKIM during the 8th century. The monastery was built during the 18th century by one of the lamas who performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal. An annual sacred water ceremony called the "Bhumchu", held during the first Tibetan month (March), attracts thousands of devout pilgrims.
YOKSUM: Once the capital of SIKKIM, Yoksum is 22kms from Pelling,
and a base camp for trekkers who are adventure lovers & desires to
tread in the high altitude areas of SIKKIM. Yuksom can also be
reached from Khecheopalri lake, along a picturesque trail by foot.
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SOUTHERN SERENADES RA V ANGLA: Reminiscent of a town from the wild west, Ravangla is a sleepy hamlet at about a height of 7000ft. The township comes alive during the Pang Lhabsol festivities when spectacular warrior dance is performed at the Ravangla monastery by the 10cals.Ravangla has a breathtaking vista of the Mt. Kanchendzonga looming large over it, with its sparkling peaks. MEN AM PEAK: Situated at 10,300ft it is a 12km trek uphills from Ravangla, through a road within a thick forest of oak, magnolia, chestnut & rhododendron. The place is a natural habitat of the red panda, Himalayan black bear, many species of deer,& the area is designated as a wildlife sanctuary. TENDONG HILL: Located at an altitude of 8530ft, meaning' upraised horn 'from the lepcha lore relating the time when a great flood submerged their land & Tendong rose up miraculously like a horn to save them. Even today prayers are offered from the hilltop before the outset of the monsoons to appease the deities & prevent a recurrence of the calamity. NORTHERN NOSTALGIA
The district headquarters are at MANGAN, a gateway to the unexplored
northern regions.
LAC HUNG & LACHEN are small quaint villages cuddled amongst the plush green mountain ranges of SIKKIM------- each one retaining it's virgin characteristics, both raw from the direct touch of MOTHER NATURE----------- an ideal oasis to quench the thirst of a avid traveller. Both Lachen & Lachung are governed by the village zumsa.
CHUNGTHANG about 95 kms from Gangtok, enroute to Yumthang lies this tiny hamlet in the confluence of two rivers- Lachung Chu & Lachen Chu. A notable feature is a footprint atop a rock which is said to be of Guru Padmasambhava .
KABI LONGTSOK about 17kms away from Gangtok, is where the Tibetan chieftain, Khey Bumsar signed a blood brotherhood with the Lepcha Shaman Te-kung- Tek. The spot is marked by a stone amidst the shadows of a dense wooded area.
PHODONG MONASTERY, LABRANG MONASTERY, TUMLONG PALACE RUINS & PHENSONG MONASTERY are other memorable halts while exploring the grandeur of North Sikkim.
FROM MONASTERIES TO MEADOWS
RED PANDAS TO RHODODENDRONS
CHANG TO CHORTENS
CHOGY AL TO CHAAM--
SIKKIM is a land of abundance, beauty & adventure--- a land of extraordinary beautysoaring mountains, plunging rivers, lush tropical forests, brilliant with a profusion of vivid flowers, birds & butterflies & decorated with verdant terraced hillsides, simple stilted villages, colourful temples & monasteries. Woven into a spell of beauty, romance & adventure SIKKIM is a place where one mingles with the enchanting essence of "MOTHER NATURE".
For once, while trekking through an unexplored path in the heart of the mountains - STOPREMINISCE- ANALYSE the HAVEs & the HAVE nots of your life---& be sure, for once during those fleeting moments, you will feel that YOU HAD IT ALL WITHIN A BLINK OF AN EYE & that's the secret magic chant of our LAST SANGRILLA---- SIKKIM.
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