17 Amazing Locales of Pelling Which are a Must Visit

Pelling is one known destination of Sikkim especially in the monsoons. Situated in the western district of Sikkim, the view of Kanchendzonga from here is enough to entice the tourist lot provided an unblemished weather shows up. Having said so, the perfect timing would be the winters when the sky is a clear blue one with no clouds to perturb the view of the mighty manifest of Mother Nature. However the monsoons here has a different charisma. Why? Because Pelling also happens to host a number of cascading waterfalls, gushing streams and untainted lakes. The drenched and tranquil greenery adjoining the mountain spots also offers solace to our eyes and cameras as well. Getting up to a morning to see the clouds waving through the bemused carved green stepped hamlets makes your visit relishing- an unearthly ecstasy dives in to savour the perpetuity of  the moment.

On the way to Pelling from Ravangla the pious mantra engraved on a rock wall

Mountains always hold a special place in my heart; although I was in Ravangla, another mountain village, engaged in academics, still a weekend getaway to Pelling was stimulating. The allure was, to see the waterfalls in the full-fledged form. However the weather being cloudy we missed Kanchendzonga in its more diversified beauty.

How to Get There: Avail direct car from Bagdogra Airport (IXB/domestic) or New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) to Pelling, in which case it would be through Jorethang; a bus is also available from the SNT to Geyzing bus stand of Siliguri but in this case sightseeing won’t be possible. Getting to Bagdogra Airport can be done from KOLKATA international airport (CCU). Other accessible transport routes are CCU > Howrah station > NJP station > Pelling by Car. The car fare would be INR 3000 to Pelling and the local sightseeing would cost around INR 4500 on reserved basis. (Note: I started from Ravangla, if one has to cover from Siliguri, the following places will be covered but on a last-to-first basis) 

First stop at Tashiding Bridge; standing there and overlooking the valley of Legship. Far away, the Legship Rangeet dam could be spotted. This is one of the suspension bridges of Sikkim. The spouting stream underneath was indeed a view. On the way towards Pelling we came across some lakes and waterfalls

Pelling is rather known for the journeying road than the destination itself. The notable waterfalls are Phamrong and Kanchendzonga falls.

Unknown Waterfall 1: On the way towards Geyzing, the first waterfall to have stopped our journey was an unnamed one. Being unspecified presumably meant that in other seasons it is just a “jhoraa” which means a small scale falls. Nevertheless in the monsoon and post monsoon it flowed with enough water to draw the attention of the onlookers.

Unknown Waterfall 2: This is more of a sloped stream flowing under gravity through the boulders protruding out from the mountain slope. Great spot for photographs though.

Phamrong Waterfall: Situated on the way to Geyzing, it is a known tourist spot and the falls can be viewed from the front bridge. For a closer look and a rocky adventuring walkthrough one can take the grassy staircases. However beware of the leeches in the monsoons. The view from the top is breathtaking although it is a long way through the stairs to the top.

Kathog Lake: Located at Yuksom-Geyzing a pious lake whose water was associated with the coronation ceremony of Phuntsog Namgyal, the first Chogyal king of Sikkim at Norbugang. It also relates to the ruins of Kathog Lhakhang monastery by Kathog lama. The water is said to bring luck to the people looking at it. The sanctity of the place is maintained and enhanced by the colourful prayer flags and flushing fishes in the lake.

Opposite to the Kathog Lake and passing this stupa in the centre of the road, lies the bricked road to the Coronation throne.

Coronation Throne of Norbugang: This place of Yuksom holds a special place in the history of Sikkim; it is the place where the coronation of Phuntsog Namgyal, the first Chogyal king of Sikkim. This is an uphill walk from the Kathog lake and one need an uphill stroll through a brick road. It is a heritage site by Archaeological Survey of India.

A spiritual old pine tree signifies the coronation which stands firm behind the rubble throne. The stupas signifies the remains of the then lamas.

An “Om Mani Padme Hum” carved rock welcomes you to the Coronation territory. A not-so-high wall like structure marks the end of the green territory.

Kanchendzonga Falls: On the way to Pelling from Yuksom-Geyzing, these waterfalls (plural as it consist of two falls now) which represents Pelling by its sheer manifestation. It is an active one throughout the year, but in the monsoons it is in a full-fledged form and thus a must visit. Lately adventure sports like tree-walking is being built up herein and it would act as an extra point here.

The first (however secondary) waterfall is viewable from the road. But behold onlookers! The wooden arched gate and the stairs leads you to another (this one’s the main) falls, the pure milky white falling waters would leave you speechless here. The name by itself reflects the magnificence of the same and hence the similarity in the forenames (with that of the mountain).

Khecheopalri Lake: Another holy lake of the Buddhist pilgrimage circle. Surrounded by greeneries all around, the lake is clear and the same is ensured by the birds there, if a leaf is found floating the birds pick them up from the lake surface. The entrance to the lake is having a small monastery and a new residential monastery is built lately. The pathway to the lake has to be traversed through the colourful fluttering prayer flags. The local folklore denotes the lake as a wish fulfilling lake.

Rimbi Rock Garden: The entrance has a stair which takes you down to the rocky river-shore and hence the name. Before reaching Pelling (by the evening), a half hour leisure here is soothing. With the gushing river alongside, a seat on the rocks with the legs half dipped into the cold waters would make all the tiring thoughts of the day go away.

Upper Pelling: The evening gleamed with the dim-lit houses on the slopes; as the night shadowed in one could not differentiate out the starry sky and the lit carpet underneath. It is as if the continuation of the sky to the grounds itself. The view of Mt, Kanchendzonga from here is marvellous. However we were not that lucky to have the golden hued view of the mountain queen. Well that's the drawback of Pelling in the Monsoons. Although as the day ensued Kanchendzonga appeared amidst the puffy cottony clouds. Local sightseeing would be to the Helipad which offers the view of the majestic ranges

Changey Waterfall: The source of which was completely shrouded by the fog created by the same. It jetted with water all and through. It was quite high and we happened to see it through the midway. Hopefully someday I would see it on a sunny day.

Singhshore Bridge: The highest bridge of Sikkim and the second highest suspension bridge in Asia offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surroundings. On the other side of the bridge there is a canteen sort of facility. The stream underneath flows gushingly with the waters from the falls visible from the bridge itself. Stand in the middle and you are bound to feel the thrill of the same. The Bridge connects the Pelling town with Uttarey and Varsey (the offbeat of west Sikkim).

Uttarey: A serene village near to the Nepal border. There are many sites to see here, including a trout farm at Maneybong which we went see. The equanimity of the place is frayed only by the flowing sound of the alongside stream.

Peymangste Monastery: One of the oldest shrine of Sikkim dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche is also a residential monastery. The Rabdentse ruins are also visible from here. The first floor of the monastery has a good collection of the Buddhist antique idols. The famous seven tiered wooden structure is found herein depicting Guru Rinpoche’s heavenly abode.

Rabdentse Ruins: It was the second capital of Kingdom of Sikkim shifted from Yuksom and now the remains of the capital city is here maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. Superb view of the Kanchendzonga range is visible from here giver the right weather. It is quite an amount of walk through dense damp woods before the actual spot is reached.

Sidkeong Tulku Bird Park: Travelling to places sometimes parks you in a world that exists only in movies. This is one such example set on the wood-shaded way towards Rabdentse ruins. A newly made bird sanctuary is established here with various species of the birdies. The walkway is through a netted area which gives you a feeling of landed into the screened Jurassic Park. However the birds are caged so one might not see the flying ones as in the movie.

Sanga Choeling Monastery: Opposite of Pemayangtse Monastery is situated this monastery atop of a mountain. The path is uphill through dense forest to reach the Monastery. The location provides the bird’s eye view of Pelling below merging with the mountainous landscape horizoned by Kanchendzonga. A large statue of Lord Avalokiteśvara mostly is being built here.

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