PELLING

Marvelous monasteries, waterfalls and scenery

Pelling is a small town in the state of Sikkim in the West Sikkim region. The town is a laid back place and it attracts travelers from different parts of the country. It is located near the foothills of Kanchenjunga and one can witness an outstanding view of the mountain from here. There are numerous scenic spots that one can visit in the area.

The main attractions of the place are the monasteries that dot the countryside. Visiting these tranquil monasteries is a good way to spend time in the region. Some of the main places are Pemayansgtse Monastery and Sangachoeling Monastery. There are many sculptures and paintings that you can find in these places and they are not crowded. One can get a panoramic view from the Sangachoeling Monastery. If you are visiting during the month of January, you can see a dance called Cham in the Pemayansgtse Monastery.

The Sangay Waterfall is situated 10 kilometers from the town of Pelling and this is a good picnic spot. Another interesting place is the Kchehepalri Lake which lies amidst dense forests and is considered holy. It might also be worth checking the Rabdantsey Ruins.

Tourist attractions

Changey Waterfall: At a distance of about 10 km from Pelling is Changey Waterfall, one of the prominent tourist attractions of the region. Situated at an altitude of 300 m, this waterfall commands the serene view of the natural surroundings. It is known for its great white line that forms due to the whiteness of the waterfall with the backdrop of thick green vegetation.

Darap Village: Situated around 7 km from Pelling en route Yuksum is the serene Darap Village. A part of the Darap Eco-Tourism Committee, this village is highly dominated by Limboo community. A small number of families from other communities including Bhutias, Chettris, Tamangs, Rais, Gurungs and Lepchas also inhabit the place. Nestled amidst verdant hills and rich green forests, the village offers spectacular views and is a perfect location to enjoy virgin nature. Tourists traveling to Pelling should never miss to visit this scenic village.

Khangchendzonga Waterfalls: Khangchendzonga Waterfalls, located around 28 km from Pelling is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in West Sikkim. Topjor Bhutia, a local tour operator from Pelling discovered this falls during mid 90’s and today it is among one of the leading tourist spots in West Sikkim. The vigorous and imposing water cascading down granite rocks is truly a mesmerizing sight. This waterfall is active all year round.

Rimbi Waterfall & Hydro Project: The beautiful Rimbi waterfall is located around 17 km from Pelling. It is formed by Rimbi River and falls on the way to Khecheopalri and Yuksom attracting a good number of tourists. During summer, the waterfall looks spectacular attracting many waterfall lovers. Located close to the waterfall is one of the oldest hydro power stations in Sikkim. Established in early 70’s, this power station is the source of energy for most of the villa towns of West Sikkim including Gazing, Tigjuck and Pelling.

Khecheopalri Lake: Synonymous with peace and tranquility, Khecheopalri Lake, located around 28 km from Pelling is considered sacred by both Buddhist and Hindus. The original name of the lake is Kha-Chot-Palri, which means “Heaven of Padmasambhava”. It is believed that wishes made on this lake are fulfilled. Locally known as Sho Dzo Sho, meaning “Oh Lady, Sit Here”, the lake is visited by many devotees from all over the country.

Sanga Choeling Monastery: This 17th century monastery, located atop a hill is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. Sanga Choeling, which means “island of esoteric teaching”, was founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo and is around 7 km from the Pemayangtse Monastery. Built in Tibetan style of architecture, the monastery can be reached on foot.

Singshore Bridge: Situated at a distance of about 5 km Pelling is Singshore Bridge, a well-known 198 m suspension bridge. Connecting two hills, this 16th year old bridge is the highest bridge of Sikkim and the second highest bridge in Asia. The government of Sikkim has selected the site for bungee jumping activities.

Best time to visit

The climatic conditions of the town of Pelling are comfortable and pleasant during all times of the year. It is possible to visit the place at any point, except the monsoon season. So, the best time would be from September to May.

How to reach

By Train: The nearest railway station is the town of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The station is connected to some cities across the country such as Chennai, New Delhi, Howrah, Alipur and Darjeeling.

By Air: If you are planning to travel by air, the only option is the Bagdogra Airport that is situated outside the town of Bagdogra. The airport is located around 124 kilometers from the town of Pelling. There are scheduled commercial flights from places such as Chennai, Kolkata, Guwahati and Mumbai.