Sunday 7 December 2014

Buddha Park, Rabong Monastery in Ravangla

DAY 7 –  GANGTOK – RAVANGLA – PELLING

After seeing Gurudongmar Lake, Zero Point and Rumtek Monastery, today’s plan was to reach Pelling. You can take the direct route to Pelling from Gangtok or take a detour via Ravangla or Namchi and then reach Pelling. In Ravangla you can see the Buddha Park and the Rabong Monastery whereas in Namchi you can see the replicas of Char Dham. We chose to go via Ravangla.

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Rabong Monastery
We had already booked an Innova through our hotel (for Rs 4,000) from Gangtok to Pelling. We were supposed to leave at 8:30 am but left at 10:00 am. The driver was late as he had returned from North Sikkim today morning itself. It made sense to let me sleep and start late from Gangtok and as Pramod said, “We can’t put our family at risk”.

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Can you see the small statues of Buddha?
Pelling is in west Sikkim and is around 140 kms from Gangtok making it approx 5 hours drive. As we had decided to take a longer route and see Ravangla on our way to Pelling we took around 8 hours to reach Pelling. The driver charged us Rs 1500 extra for the detour to Ravangla.

The Buddha Park, Ravangla

The Buddha Park also known as the Tathagata Tsal houses a 130 ft high statue of Buddha and is located near the Rabong monastery. You need to buy an entry ticket of Rs 50 per person to this beautiful park. Everything about the park is grand. The red coloured gate of the park is adorned with intricate Sikkimese design. Numerous stairs takes you down to the main park.  

Buddha Park, Ravangla
Buddha Park, Ravangla


Buddha Park Entrance
Buddha Park Entrance
In the park, there are speakers playing the soothing chant of Om Mani Padme Hum, the chant immediately relaxes you and takes you in a trance. Again a no of stairs will take you up to the main prayer hall.

Buddha Park, Ravangla
Buddha Park, Ravangla
Under the giant statute of Buddha there is a prayer hall. In the middle of the prayer room a statue of Buddha is kept. All around this room there are numerous colourful statues of Buddha of the same size. There is a spiral pathway which take you up so that you can have a view of the Buddha from above. All around the spiral pathway you can see the entire life of Buddha depicted through paintings. All around this pathway white colour silk cloth was tied up.

Cup of water at Buddha Park, Ravangla
Huge Cup of water at Buddha Park, Ravangla
Next, we walked around the main building. Prayer flags were put up around the walkaways which were fluterring with the wind. Around the giant Buddha on the walkway, seven huge golden colour cups of water are kept. How can there be no prayer wheels? Just behind the prayer room you will find prayer wheels in golden colour.

Buddha Park, Ravangla
Golden Prayer Wheels at Buddha Park, Ravangla


Buddha Park, Ravangla
Buddha Park, Ravangla
The Buddha Park is beautifully maintained. Manicured gardens, flowers, and fountains - everything is perfect. The Park has a shop where you can have maggi and aloo chiwda. There are two shops from where you can buy souvenirs for your loved ones.

Rabong Monastery

Rabong Monastery is located just behind the Buddha Park. When we went to the monastery it was closed. So we could see it only from outside. Since the monastery was closed, there was hardly any tourist. We had the entire place to ourselves. The monastery is simple but beautiful.

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Prayer Wheels at Rabong Monastery


Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
There are a line of red coloured prayer wheels when you enter the monastery premises. On your left you will find the monastery. Few steps up and you are at the beautiful monastery.

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Line of prayer wheels at Rabong Monastery

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
View from Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
We took around two hours to see the Rabong monastery and the Buddha Park. After the Buddha Park, we went to another monastery located in Ravangla – Bon Monastery. It is a very small and simple monastery.

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Beautiful Rabong Monastery, Ravangla

Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Rabong Monastery, Ravangla
Continuing our journey, we reached Pelling around 6:00 pm. Our Hotel was located at upper Pelling - two mins walk from the new helipad. We had pre booked two rooms in this hotel on the top floor so that we can enjoy the majestic Himalayan range from our rooms.

Since we were hungry we ordered for tea and pakodas. Around 8:00 pm we went downstairs for dinner. Post dinner, we arranged for a car through the hotel reception for tomorrow’s sightseeing in Pelling.

Points to remember:
  • As the sun sets early here start your day early.
  • Book an Innova, bolero or a Xylo for a comfortable travel. As the roads are bad and travel in Sumo or Maxx can be cumbersome.
  • Although the distance between places is not far because of the rough terrain it takes a considerable time to go from one place to another. So plan accordingly.
  • Please carry warm clothes including sweater, jacket, cap, mufflers, socks and gloves. Wear shoes and not sandals or chappals.
  • While going to Pelling from Gangtok take a diversion to Ravangla and see the Buddha Park and Rolong Monastery.
  • Sikkim is plastic free zone. Please don’t litter and maintain the beauty of nature.
  • Please remain quiet, maintain the discipline and follow the rules at Monasteries and other religious places. 

Friday 5 December 2014

Back to Gangtok - After Zero Point it's Rumtek Monastery!!

DAY 6 – LACHUNG MONASTERY, RUMTEK MONASTERY, HANUMAN TOK AND GANESH TOK

Rumtek Monastery was our mission today. If we wanted to see Gangtok, today was the only day. After having our breakfast at the hotel, we started our way back to Gangtok at 7:00 am sharp. We had already spoken to Sher Khan (our driver) to show us three points in Gangtok – Rumtek Monastery, Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok. Though we wanted to see Enchey Monastery, Banjhakari waterfall, Lingdum Monastery and Dro Dul Chorten also but due to time constraints we had to be satisfied with three points.


Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery
Lachung Monastery

It has been 5 days that we have been in Sikkim but we had not been to a single monastery till now. So the first thing we did was to drive to Lachung Monastery. When we entered the monastery we were in for a delight. Today was a special day as per Buddhist calendar and we were lucky to see a group of monks praying, reading from their spiritual books in perfect harmony. It sounds as if they are reading shloks together.


Lachung Monastery
Monks praying at Lachung Monastery

Lachung Monastery
Lachung Monastery
Lachung monastery was small but beautiful. Just when you enter the main building of the monastery you will find two huge prayer wheels on either side. The Prayer wheels are huge and beautifully painted in red and golden.  We were not allowed to take pictures inside the monastery.


Prayer Wheel at Lachung Monastery
Prayer Wheel at Lachung Monastery
Being a special day today we got an opportunity to light few wax lamps in the monastery. 


Wax Lamps
Lightning of wax lamps
On our way from Lachung to Gangtok we stopped en route to see Beema waterfall.


Bhima Waterfall
Bhima Waterfall
While heading back to Gangtok you will see numerous waterfalls, cross beautiful prayer flags decorated bridges, drive through the curvy roads; drive through water streams and on rough terrains.


Enroute Gangtok
Enroute Gangtok
We again stopped over at the same place for lunch at 11:00 where we had lunch enroute our way from Gangtok to Lachen.


HIT Sikkim Local Beer
HIT - Sikkim Local Beer
The drive from Mangan to Rumtek was charming and peaceful.

Rumtek Monastery

Around 4:00 pm we reached Rumtek Monastery which is around an hour drive from Gangtok. Rumtek monastery is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Gangtok. The monastery is a 1 km steep walk from the parking lot. Inside the monastery you will find numerous books and manuscripts, few drums, big and small statues of Buddha, beautifully decorated interior and a huge red coloured door.


Rumtek Monastery Entrance
Rumtek Monastery - Entrance


Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery
In the courtyard, you will find the dormitories for the monks and various monks in their red clothes doing their usual work. 


Rumtek Monastery Monk
Monk at Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery Prayer Wheels
Prayer wheels at Rumtek Monastery
Hanuman Tok & Ganesh Tok

After the Rumtek Monastery we were on our way to Hanuman Tok. It is on the same route which we take for Nathula Pass. Located on the top of a mountain, is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The place is very simple and extremely neat and tidy. Inside the temple there is a separate temple of Lord Hanuman depicted very elaborately. Another temple here has Lord Krishna, Lord Ram, Lord Laxman, Godess Sita, Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva and Sai Baba.

Fog has set in by the time we reached here and the temperature has dropped suddenly. The view from here would have been magnificent if there was no fog.


Shadows
Shadows
Our last stop of the day was Ganesh Tok, which is not very far from Hanuman Tok. As the name suggests it is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Nothing fancy, this is again a temple which is very neat and tidy. You can find few stalls at the base of the temple selling pretty looking crafts at reasonable rates. There are also shops where you can wear traditional sikkimese dress and get yourself clicked. By now the sun had set bringing along with it a wave of chilliness.

Post this we headed to our hotel Nettle & Fern located at the Development Area of Gangtok. We had booked two deluxe rooms here, but the hotel was kind enough to upgrade us to a family suite. The family suite was on the 5th floor (top floor) with a million dollar view. The room was warm and cozy, with beautiful polished wooden interiors.


Souvenir Shop
Souvenir Shop
The whole mountain landscape of Gangtok is filled with lights during the night. After resting in the room for an hour and sipping in tea we headed to M.G. Road. The walk to M.G. Road was of 15 mins. Shopping at M.G. Road is fun and you can easily buy warm clothes at throw away prices.

After strolling for some time we took a cab and headed to our hotel for dinner. The dinner at the hotel was delicious and the restaurant was very warm.

Points to remember:
  • As the sun sets early here start your day early.
  • You can take a Gangtok sightseeing trip which includes Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastry, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok etc. depending on the time you have at your disposal.
  • For sightseeing in Gangtok, SUVs are not compulsory.
  • Although the distance between places is not far because of the rough terrain it takes a considerable time to go from one place to another. So plan accordingly.
  • Gangtok is not very cold but still carry warm clothes including sweater, jacket, cap, mufflers, socks and gloves. It gets windy at Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok as they are located at the top of a mountain. Wear shoes and not sandals or chappals.
  • Be easy on steps and avoid brisk walk or running at high altitudes.
  • Sikkim is plastic free zone. Please don’t litter and maintain the beauty of nature.
  • Please remain quiet, maintain the discipline and follow the rules at Monasteries and other religious places.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Yumthang Valley, Zero Point – Its snow time!!

DAY 5 – YUMTHANG VALLEY, ZERO POINT

Today was another beautiful day. The first thing that I do these days when I get up in the morning is to peep out of the window. The view is spectacular.  I could see the snow capped mountains and River Teesta flowing nearby.


Zero Point Sikkim
Zero Point
Today the plan is to see Yumthang Valley and Zero Point. We all were very excited to play in the snow at Zero Point. When you book a North Sikkim Package, Zero Point is normally not included and you have to pay extra to the driver for covering Zero Point.


Teesta River Lachung
Teesta River from our room

Lachung snow capped mountains
First view of Snowcapped Mountains
Zero Point

We first drove to Zero Point – Yumesamdong which is around 15,500 ft above sea level. The drive to Zero Point is through the Yumthang Valley also known as the Valley of flowers.  In April, this whole valley is supposed to be carpeted with flowers especially rhododendrons. In November, the valley was bare but it had its own beauty.


Zero Point enroute
En route Zero Point
Zero point is covered with snow throughout the year. Our car cuts through the chilling winds, climbing higher and higher through the curvy roads where snow was scattered here and there. The road to Yumthang Valley and Zero Point is good and therefore preferred over Gurudongmar Lake by people who are running short on time.

The road took a sharp turn and then all of a sudden there is a change in panorama – high mountains covered with pristine white snow under the ivory blue sky. The view from here is simply breathtaking. If there is heaven on Earth, then this is very close to it.


Zero Point, Sikkim
View - Drive to Zero Point

Zero Point, Sikkim
En route Zero Point
On reaching this point, we felt that this was the last outpost of civilization. This is where the road ends. There was no road beyond this point. Sher Khan (Our driver) told us that the government is planning to make a road from here connecting Gurudongmar Lake.

There was snow everywhere and cold wind was breezing past our ears. Calm and quiet, time seems to stand still here, like nothing ever changes. Absorbed by the aura of its sheer beauty we walked, slipped and threw snow balls at each other. We played and took loads of pictures in the snow. These are the pictures that will be remembered forever.  


Zero Point Snow
Playing in the snow
We crossed the tributary of the River Teesta to reach the snow covered mountains. We climbed the mountain, could feel our hands freezing, our weight making the snow sink beneath our feet. It was an out of the world experience.

You can rent out gum boots at nominal rates at Zero Point. We wished to spend more time here but soon realized that everyone was feeling very cold in the snow and the chilly winds has started causing headaches to few.


Zero Point
At Zero Point
Once back from the mountains, we were hungry and had a bowl of hot maggi each. What a joy it is to have hot maggi in freezing cold weather.


Zero Point with locals
With Locals at Zero Point
Zero Point is a must visit – it is more beautiful than the valley. We spend a little more than two hours here and then we drove back to Yumthang Valley. While heading back we gave a lift to a lady who had a stall at Zero Point till Lachung. She told us that by afternoon it becomes unbearably cold at Zero Point and thus everyone comes back to the village.

Yumthang Valley

We could see the Teesta River flowing down. This was the Yumthang Valley. We have to climb down to see the river from close by. Here you can walk by the river bed, talk to the river that has been running with you everywhere, whether it is in Gantok or Lachen or Lachung. It is your constant companion.  


Himalayan Mountain Colours
Shades of colour

At Yumthang Valley
At Yumthang Valley
But except me, no one was in the spirit to trek down to the valley. Preeti was shivering with cold and Nikhil was having a severe headache. Both told me (very sternly) that they are not stepping out of the car. Pramod was also not high in health and spirit but looking at my enthusiasm, he stepped out of the car. We started walking a little but then he said that he was feeling short of breath.


Yumthang Valley
Yumthang Valley

Teesta at Yumthang Valley
Teesta at Yumthang Valley
So instead of going to the river I walked towards a gompa nearby, which was at a picturesque location. There were thick pine trees on either side, surrounded by snow capped mountains.  Really amazing sight. Post that, taking in the beauty of Sikkim, I headed back to the car.


Yumthang Valley Gompa
Gompa near Yumthang Valley
There are hot springs at Yumthang Valley. None of us were interested in that and therefore, did not stop for it.

Our drive back to the car was silent. Nikhil, Pramod and Preeti were not feeling well. They were looking forward to a short nap. I was busy looking out of the window and admiring the natural beauty here.

We reached our hotel and had our lunch. We had an option of going to Mt. Katao but no one was up for it. After a while I noticed that the weather was becoming bad. There was fog everywhere and nothing was visible outside our window. We decided to rest as tomorrow again we will be spending hours in the car heading back to Gangtok.

Points to remember:
  • As the sun sets early here start your day early.
  • There is no accommodation at Yumthang Valley or Zero Point. The nearest village where you can find accommodation is Lachung.
  • Only SUVs are allowed for excursion to Zero Point, Yumthang Valley.
  • Book an Innova, bolero or a Xylo for a comfortable travel. 
  • To visit Zero Point you have to pay extra to the driver. Zero Point is a must visit – it is more beautiful than the valley.
  • You can also see Mt. Katao for which you have to pay extra to the driver.
  • Please carry warm clothes including sweater, jacket, cap, mufflers, socks and gloves. Wear shoes and not sandals or chappals. It is very windy so don’t forget a warm cap for covering your head and ears.
  • There is snow at Zero point so dress accordingly. You can rent gum boots at Zero Point at very nominal rates.
  • Be easy on steps and avoid brisk walk or running at high altitudes as the oxygen level is low.
  • If you are feeling mountain sickness have chocolate of popcorn. It helps.
  • Sikkim is plastic free zone. Please don’t litter and maintain the beauty of nature.
  • Trivia: One maggi at Zero Point cost Rs 50 and 30 ml Old Monk cost Rs 30.
  • Expense of the day:



For 4 ppl
Per Person
Excursion to Zero Point
1,500
375
TOTAL
1,500
375