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Pelling is one of the most important towns in Sikkim, a small state in India. Sikkim is located in the Himalayan mountains, and is an amazing holiday destination in India. You can reach the nearest airport Bagdogra, near Siliguri in West Bengal, and then travel to Sikkim by road.
Till recently, very few tourists used to visit the State, and was relatively unknown to the foreigners. This allowed Sikkim to hold on to its virgin beauty for a long time. However, the situation has changed in recent times. In the recent times, the number of tourists visiting Sikkim having gone up significantly. All popular towns of Sikkim are seeing the construction of new hotels and other facilities to accommodate these tourists comfortably.
Pelling is situated at an altitude of 7200 feet (2150 m) above sea level, in West Sikkim. Its primary attraction is the breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges and the Kanchenjunga Hills that the tourists can get. On a clear day you can see these gigantic snow-capped natural beauties from close quarters. The feeling is ethereal.
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Pelling and they speak in Sikkimese, Nepali, Hindi and English languages. The town is well connected by road with Gyalshing (also called Geyzing), the district headquarters of West Sikkim which lies just 10 km away. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is 115 km away from Pelling. You can hire a car from Gangtok to take you to Pelling. The road through the mountains and the breathtaking sceneries will ensure that you will not feel tired while travelling. Many tourists also reach Pelling from Jorethang, a town in south Sikkim.
Tourist attractions in Pelling:
The following are some of the main attractions that make Pelling an amazing holiday destination:
1. Pemayangtse Monastery
Considered to be one of the most holy places for the Buddhists, the Pemayangtse monastery was established in the year 1705 by a Buddhist monk named Lama Lhatsun Chempo. It is Sikkim’s premier monastery, and is part of the Buddhist Religious Pilgrimage Circuit. It houses many beautiful statues and Thankas and is a must visit for its historical value.
In the month of February, the charm dance festival is held in the monastery where the Lamas of the monastery dress up in colourful costumes and offer a dance performance. This is considered to be very holy and Buddhists from across the country travel to Pemayangtse monastery to be a part of this festival.
2. Rabdentse Ruins
Sikkim was a monarchy till 1975, and was ruled by the Chogyals since 1642. Rabdentse was the second capital of the dynasty from 1672 1814. The city was destroyed by an invading army from Nepal and the Royal Palace was reduced to rubbles. All that remains of that grand city now are the ruins of the palace, and some column like wall structures called Chortens. During the reign of the Chogyals, the judges used to pass their judgements from these Chortens. Rabdentse has been declared as a heritage site of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
3. Khecheopalri Lake
This lake is considered to be holy by the Buddhists as well as the Hindus. Situated at a distance of 34 km from Pelling town. It is surrounded by the sacred Khechoedpaldri hill. This lake is also a part of the Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit, and is one of the cleanest lakes that you will find anywhere. Legend has it that the Gods have entrusted the task of keeping the lake clean on the birds who live there. Even today, if a leaf drops into the lake, a bird flies to pick it up. This has ensured that the water remains crystal clear and you can see your reflection on the water on a clear day.
4. Sewaro Rock Garden
This is a garden developed by the Tourism Department of the government of Sikkim. It has various recreational facilities, cafeteria, rock gardens and swimming pools. This is a popular picnic spot for the local people, especially during the winter.
5. Rimbi Waterfalls and Power Station
The Rimbi River flows near the Sewaro Rock Garden. The waterfall on this river is very spectacular and is a popular tourist attraction during the summers. The river becomes thin and the waterfall disappears during the winter, hence try to visit this waterfall in the monsoon season. An old power station named Karchen Power House dating back to the 70s can also be found there. It is the oldest power station in West Sikkim.
6. Kanchenjungha Falls
This fall is located 28 km from Peilling and is a must see natural beauty. It is located in a sharp bend on the way to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim, 18 km away from Rimbi. The water plunges down from a great height on the granite and is a breathtaking beauty to behold. The waterfall remains active throughout the year, though the force of the water is much higher during the monsoons.
7. The Trekking Trails of Pelling
Pelling also has various trekking trails which make it an amazing holiday destination in Sikkim for the adventure lovers. The mountains around Pelling are covered in jungles, which offers lush greenery that is effective enough to rejuvenate every tired soul.
Plan a trip to Pelling to detoxify your mind and body. The effort will be well worth it.
