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WELCOME TO RAVANGLA...
Ravangla (6,800 ft), saddled on the
ridge between the Menam (10,600 ft) and Tendong (8500
ft) peaks, is the sub-divisional headquarter of the
South district of Sikkim. Situated on the state highway
between Gangtok and Pelling / Pemayangtse, Ravangla town
and the surrounding villages is an ideal destination to
experience the rich cultural & natural heritage of
Sikkim.
SIGHT SEEING
Rayong Sunrise View Point
Located 8 km drive from Ravangla on the road to Damthang
the view point offers a spectacular sight of the red
ball of fire emerging from the eastern horizon and
throwing the first rays of the sun on the snowy peaks of
Mt Narsing, Jopuno, Kabur, Rathong & Pandim.
Temi Tea Garden
Established in 1960s by the Sikkim government under the
last King, Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the only tea
garden in Sikkim is located 18 km from Ravangla. The tea
produced from this garden has a rare combination of
liquor & flavour and fetches some of the highest
rates offered in the international markets. A visit to
Temi offers one an opportunity to see the plucking of
the tealeaves in the garden also to observe the
processing of tea in the factory.
Tinkitam Village
A quaint Sikkimese village situated about 6 km from
Ravangla is famous as the ancestral village of Bhaichung
Bhutia, the popular football star. But known only to
orchid lovers this village is also the natural habitat
to a rare species of orchid - Paphiopedilum fairieanum
Or lady's slipper, as it is commonly known. Unlike most
wild orchids which grow on trees this beautiful orchid
is terrestrial and flowers in October / November. An
effort is underway to preserve the natural habitat of
this beautiful flower.
Kheunpheling Carpet Centre
The carpet-weaving centre is in the Tibetan Refugee
Settlement Camp located just above Ravangla town. The
traditionally designed & woven woolen carpets
produced here are amongst the finest Tibetan carpets one
can buy anywhere.
Ralang Monasteries
13 kms from Ravangla are the two monasteries at Ralang
which follow the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. The Old
monastery was built in 1768 AD and legend has it that
the 9th Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa sect, gave his
blessings by throwing some grains of rice from Tibet.
The monastery built on the site where these grains of
rice fell. " Pang Lhabsol " the worship of Mt
Khangchendzonga & " Kagyed " Chaam (masked
dances) are held every year on the 15th day of the
seventh month of the Buddhist calendar coinciding with
August/September and on the 29th day of the tenth month
just before Losoong - the Sikkimese New Year in
December.
The new monastery - Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute
was built by the XII Th Gyaltsab Rimpoche and completed
in 1995. The sacred Mahakala Dance is held here every
year in November.
Borong & Ralang
Cha-chu Cha-chu or hot sulphur springs at Ralang &
Borong are traditional winter spas visited by the locals
as well as by people from far away Bhutan and Nepal.
Visitors spend a week or more soaking in these springs
that have medicinal properties believed to cure many
skin & other ailments of joints, bones &
muscles.
Ralang Cha-chu can be reached after a 1 hr. downhill
walk to the Rangit valley from the Ralang monastery.
Borong Cha-chu is a 7 km drive from Ralang and a further
45 mins downhill walk.
Both these hot springs are located along the banks of
the Rangit river and can be visited from December to
February. For overnight stays temporary huts are
available at nominal rates but all bedding and cooking
utensils have to be carried along. During the hot spring
season small shops selling basic vegetables &
provisions are setup and the local villagers sell dairy
products.
Doling Gompa
This Gompa or monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of
Buddhism, which is also the oldest sect and commonly
referred to as the Red Hat sect. Located about 4 kms away
in the Barfung village amidst cardamom plantations, a
hike to the monastery also allows one a close experience
of the rich flora & avifauna of the area.
Bon Monastery
The Bon faith flourished in Tibet upto the 8th Century
AD prior to the advent of Buddhism. It is believed that
many of it's rituals were assimilated in Buddhism like
the prayer flags, burning of incense etc. and with the
passage of time this faith was also influenced by
Buddhism and has now been accepted as a part of
Buddhism.
The Bon monastery at Kewzing, the only one of its kind
in Sikkim, is located 5 km from Ravangla. This monastery
was established in the latter half of 1980s and is a
symbol of the determination of a community of people at
Kewzing to preserve their religious traditions.
Handicraft centre, Kewzing
A training centre set up by the government to keep alive
the tradition of Sikkimese handicraft & handloom. At
the centre one can observe young boys & girls learn
the intricate art of wood carving & weaving. This is
also a place to pick up some local souvenirs
Khandosangphu and Sharchog Bephug
These are two of the four holy caves where Guru
Padmasambhava, the saint who spread Buddhism in Tibet in
the 7th century AD, is said to have meditated during his
journey to Tibet.
Khandosangphu - the cave of the occult fairies is
located 34 kms from Ravangla (8 kms beyond Legshep). The
legendary fight between Guru Rimpoche & a female
demon who was terrorising the area is manifested in the
rock formations in the cave. A place for pilgrimage to
the devout, there is also a hot sulphur spring "Phur
Cha-chu" where people come to bath during the
winter months.
Sharchog Bephug is at Sangmo village about 8 kms from
Ravangla is the largest of holy caves and it is said to
extend into the Menam and Tendong hills.
Rangit Water World
The dam built, across the Rangit river, for a
hyroelectric project has formed a unique water body.
Situated 26 kms (1 hr approx.) downhill from Ravangla,
it is an ideal place to enjoy a day - boating in rafts,
fishing, swimming & just having a good time in the
water.
Shiva Mandir
Located 26 kms from Ravangla on bank of the Rangit river
at Legshep, the Shiva Mandir is a shrine revered by the
local people And an annual festival is held every year
during Shivaratri in February.
Tashiding Monastery
Located 39 kms/1.45 hrs drive from Ravangla and a 20
mins walk, Tashiding literally meaning the "Central
Elevated Glory" is the most sacred monastery
complex in Sikkim and was described by Guru Rimpoche as
the heart of "Beyul Demazong". Built in 1716
AD the complex is also the location of the "Thongwa
Rongdol" Chorten. Just a sight of this sacred Stupa
is said to wash away one's sins. The monastery is also
revered for the "Bumchu" festival during which
the barrel containing holy water is opened and a small
quantity distributed to the devout. The origin of the
water dates to the time of Guru Padmasambhava in the 7th
century AD and is said to contain sacred soil, water
& precious jewels from all the holy place in India.
The level of the water each year is considered the
indicator of the times ahead for this land.
TREKKING
Menam
Menam (10,600 ft) is located about 12 km up hill trek
from Ravangla. A traditional meditation site for the
monks it is also vantage location for a spectacular view
the mountains at sunrise. The trek takes about 2.5 hrs
to 4 hrs (depending on one's speed) and winds through a
thick forest of oak, chestnut, magnolia and rhododendron
trees. The forest is a riot of colours during spring
(March/April). A natural habitat of the red panda,
Himalayan black bear and many species of deer, this area
is designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary and the motto of
leaving only footprints & taking back only
photographs & good memories is required to be
followed strictly to maintain the area.
Tendong
A 20 kms drive to Damthang & 2.5 hrs trek takes one
upto the Tendong peak (8500 ft) for a spectacular 360
deg. view of Sikkim & the distant plains of North
Bengal. |
