Temple of Sikkim : Rolu Mandir

Manokamana Siddhi Mandir, also known as Rolu Mandir, is a sacred temple established in 1940 along the Melli-Jorethang Highway. It holds a special place in the hearts of the Sikkimese people, as it is dedicated to Manakamna Devi. Devotees from near and far visit the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings. The spiritual connection and serene environment make it a significant pilgrimage site for those who believe in the divine power of the goddess.

VMatrix Dance Academy's Young Talent Shines at Dance Competitions

05.01.25, Singtam: Prajna Tamang, a talented seven-year-old from Challamthang, has won the Junior Category of Sikkim Dancing Star Season III. The event at Jorethang Community Hall showcased young dancers' outstanding skills, but Prajna stood out with her patriotic and energetic performances. She was mentored by Viki Tamang at VMatrix Dance Academy, Singtam. Gurash Baniya and Divya Rasaily were the instructors for her dance songs.

In a related event, Gurash Baniya from Sirwani Ghatay Khola secured the 1st Runner-Up title in Stage Dream Season 2 at Sarumsa, Ranipool. With five years of dedicated training at VMatrix Dance Academy, Singtam, under mentor Viki Tamang, Gurash captivated the audience with her stunning performances. The event was held at Sarumsa, Ranipool.

Ayan Rai wins New Year Blitz Chess Tournament

02.01.25, Singtam: The Knight Chess Academy, Singtam, organized a New Year Blitz Chess Tournament on January 1, 2025, with 16 players competing across six intense rounds.

Ayan Rai claimed the championship with 6 points from six games, followed by Parichay Subba and Anant Subba in second and third places, respectively. The tournament, conducted with technical support from the Sikkim Chess Association, showcased outstanding performances by players such as Shourya Agarwal and Kunzang Bhutia, who secured fourth and fifth positions.

Earlier, Rohit Gurung, the coach of the chess academy, was offered khadas and congratulated for the remarkable success of the Singtam chess team at the recently concluded 22nd North East Chess Championship held at Udaipur, Tripura.

Ayan Rai, Akshay Anand, and Arnav Rai, players who achieved classical norm ratings, were felicitated. Palak Agarwal and Manasvi Acharya, who won prizes in the girls' category, were also congratulated. 

Tripura Diary : Tripura Sundari Temple

The Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur was something I didn’t know much about until my team and I found a hotel nearby. We had just arrived in Udaipur, Tripura, for a week-long North-East Chess Tournament (December 17-21). When we got to the Udaipur Railway Station, I was surprised by its palace-like structure. I couldn’t believe I was in North-East India and not in Rajasthan!

There were 45 chess players in total, along with over 60 parents cheering us on. Our team from Singtam included nine players from Mt. Zion Academy and East Point SSS. While looking for hotels, we stumbled upon the footsteps of Mata Bari, the home of the Tripura Sundari Temple, which is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The area around the temple reminded me of Chaurasta in Darjeeling, and there were plenty of shops selling Pera, a sweet that devotees like to offer as prasadam.

Nearby, we discovered Kalyan Sagar, a lovely pond filled with different kinds of fish and tortoises. Devotees often feed the fish in the pond. We were told that we shouldn’t miss the Sandhya Aarati, which is a special evening prayer service. On the last evening of our stay at Mata Bari, we visited the temple.

We arrived at the temple around 6 PM, just in time for the aarti. We gave our offerings to the pujari (priest) along with our names and gotra (clan) that we bought from one of the shops. People of all ages, mostly women, were sitting in front of the statue of Mata. We joined them and listened to the beautiful sounds of clapping, drumbeats, and ringing bells during the aarti. Afterward, we bowed our heads and received blessings from the goddess.

The temple is on a hill shaped like a tortoise, known as Kurmapṛṣṭhākṛti, which adds to its spiritual importance. According to legend, a part of Sati's right foot fell here, making it one of the Shakti Peethas. The main shrine was built in 1501 CE by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya and features the Bengali Ek-Ratna architectural style. Inside, there are two black stone idols: the larger one of Tripura Sundari, which is 5 feet tall, and the smaller one, Chhoto-Ma (Little Mother), representing Goddess Chandi, which stands at 2 feet.

Visiting the Tripura Sundari Temple was a memorable experience, filled with beauty, spirituality, and culture!

Singtam Chess Players Shine at 22nd North East FIDE Chess Tournament

 25.12.24, Singtam: The young chess players of the town of Singtam have made a significant impact at the 22nd North East FIDE Chess Tournament held at the Sports Complex in Udaipur from December 17 to 21, 2024.

Manasvi Acharya and Palak Agarwal, students from Mount Zion School, finished third in the Under 11 girl’s category and fifth in the Under 9 girls’ category, respectively. Additionally, three players from Singtam—Arnav Rai, Ayan Rai, and Akshay Anand received ratings under classical chess norms.

A total of nine players represented Mount Zion School and East Point Senior Secondary School. The players' scores were as follows: Ayan Rai: 5/9, Manasvi Acharya: 4.5/9, Suyog Shital Pradhan: 4.5/9, Yedhant Agarwal: 4/9, Aarav Pradhan: 3/9, Prashanti Dhungel: 2.5/9 and Palak Agarwal: 2/9 (all from Mount Zion School); Akshay Anand: 4.5/9 and Dhrubajyoti Saha: 2.5/9 (both from East Point Senior Secondary School).

These talented players are part of the Knight Chess Academy in Singtam, coached by Rohit Gurung.

Dongeythang Primary School's Annual Day Celebrations

December 12, Singtam: Dongeythang Primary School celebrated its Annual Day joyfully and enthusiastically. The highlights included the distribution of felicitations, mementoes, certificates, and cultural and sports events. Shri Suresh Kumar Tamang, President of Singtam Nagar Panchayat, and Shri Uttam Pradhan, a Cinestar and Sikkim State Awardee, were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively.

Other distinguished guests present on the occasion included Shri Sherap Dorjee Bhutia, President of CLC; Smt. Dhan Maya Sharma; Smt. YM Sharma; heads of different schools; former retired teachers; officials from Panchayats and ICDS; members of SMCs; the Parent Teacher Association; school staff; parents; and students. Suresh Tamang, the Chief Guest of the day, addressed the audience, encouraging parents to enroll their children in government schools to avail themselves of various scholarships. He also appreciated the school for organizing different initiatives for the betterment of the students.

Uttam Pradhan, a Nepali film celebrity, stated in his speech that he was never a trained actor or dancer but attributed his success to his former school and teachers for building his career through school events and programs. He emphasized the importance of better facilities provided to government schools. OP Niroula, AEO of the Education Department, Khamdong BAC, spoke about various scholarship schemes offered by the education department. The cultural program and sports events saw participation from students, and activities for the audience were also organized.

Shital Pradhan, Headmaster of the school, shared the annual report, highlighting the achievements of the students and outlining the school's requirements for the coming session. As part of the celebrations, Chief Guest Suresh Kumar Tamang also visited the school’s heritage museum, which houses a collection of old heritage items of daily use, reflecting the rich cultural history of the region. Karma Rinzing Bhutia was the host of the day, while Bhim Prasad Dahal and Passang Phuti Lepcha delivered the welcome speech and the vote of thanks.

The following students received mementoes: The following students received mementoes: School Topper: Master Bimochan Dahal (Class PS3, 91%), Students of the Year: Miss Akriti Sapkota (Class IV), 100% Attendance: Miss Bipashna Dahal (Class IV), Master Ram Dangal (Class III), and Miss Youngmit Lepcha (Class I), Best Speaker: Miss Eden Tamang (Class III), Best Lepcha Language Student: Master Passang Tshering Lepcha (Class II).

Singtam Heritage Post Box and its story

I was part of a beautiful concept brought by Roshan Prasad, our popular philatelist from Singtam, to re-install a neglected Post Box near the old post office building in the heart of the bazaar.

In one of its kind event, we, the members of the Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society, added a page to the map of the world's postal history when we removed the neglected post-box given new colours and had its permanent installation near the Water Fountain as a Heritage Post Box. An earlier Sikkim postal cancellation mark, along with the establishment of a Post Office in Singtam in 1903, was written on the stone slab below the base of the postbox. First of its kind in Sikkim and a proud place of being few in India and the world.

KN Rai, then Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, inaugurated the Heritage Box on Inspire 2017 – A Hobby Fest. The event coincided with the 12^th anniversary of the formation of the Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society. A hobby exhibition was held at Bihari Dharamsala, Singtam, on May 30th, 2017- the first hobby fest of Sikkim. Inspire 2017- a hobby fest featuring a display of stamps, coins, bank notes, antiques, a matchbox collection, autographs, old newspapers, identity cards, and button flowers.

Three years passed, and we received numerous calls of appreciation. Our photograph of the Heritage Post Box of Singtam was published in various philatelic magazines worldwide. We just wanted to have Singtam's name on the world map. We have succeeded today, but this wasn't as easy as it looked.

Two days ahead of the event, the place where we had decided to install the Heritage Post Box at the water fountain site, despite having permission from Area MLA, Singtam Police Station, and the Singtam Nagar Panchayat, we were stopped from doing so. We wanted passers-by people to see the Post Box and feel proud of the century-old postal history of Singtam.

A huge section of the crowd came forward and alleged the ‘dustbin’ – the word used for our Heritage Post Box to be thrown away. In that mass, few good human souls spoke for our cause. Finally, after a few hours of noises, we were forced to shift our structure to the corner on the back of a paan dokan. The crowd justified – that the structure would disturb their wedding function on the way to Bihari Dharamsala. But today, in that much-chosen place, we have a Police Sign Board of No Parking – and that crowd was there to praise the efforts of the Police Station to have the No Parking Sign Board.

Bhaleydhunga Ropeway: the Longest Ropeway of Sikkim

Today, I had a fantastic experience riding the Bhaleydhunga Ropeway in Yangang, Namchi District, Sikkim. The ropeway starts from Dhapper, about 5 km above Yangang Bazar, and takes you to the top of Bhaleydhunga Cliff. From there, you can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, snowfall during winter, and colourful flowers in spring.

Earlier, people reached Bhaleydhunga by trekking from Yangang or Ravangla (near Buddha Park). Now, the ropeway makes the journey easier while still offering breathtaking views.

Bhaleydhunga comes from the Nepali words Bhaley (male pheasant) and Dhunga (stone). According to local folklore, a male and female pheasant, symbolized by the cliffs Bhaleydhunga and Pothedhunga, were deeply in love. Villagers, driven by superstition, killed the female pheasant, causing a massive landslide that destroyed the village. Even now, locals say they hear the male pheasant's sad calls, mourning his lost love.

This place is considered sacred, and unusual activities like playing loud music or disrespecting the site can bring sudden weather changes or misfortune. Visitors are advised to maintain silence and avoid alcohol or plastic waste.

Ropeway Details:

Length: 3.5 km

Cabins: 18 (8-person capacity each)

Two-Way Fare of Ropeway: Rs 950/- Per Adult (Inclusive of all taxes)

More than 11 people are paid Rs 750 per Adult, and less than 8 people are paid Rs 950 

Drivers are not paid free

Free for children under 3

Contact number 81012 51973

The Bhaleydhunga Ropeway is a must-visit, offering every traveller a perfect mix of natural beauty, culture, and mystery.

Gangtok: Key Information for a Perfect Visit

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is known for its stunning Himalayan landscapes, serene monasteries, and vibrant cultural spots. Below are some additional details to make your visit informative and enjoyable.

Ten Essential Highlights in Gangtok

MGRoad: MG Road is the city’s bustling heart, ideal for travellers looking to experience local culture and shop for unique souvenirs. Lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, this pedestrian-only zone is the perfect spot to unwind, try local cuisine, and mingle with locals. It’s also known for hosting various festivals, giving tourists a taste of local celebrations and traditions.

Rumtek Monastery: One of the most significant monasteries in Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is renowned for its serene atmosphere and beautiful Tibetan architecture. This monastery serves as the headquarters of the Karma Kagyu lineage and houses sacred relics and artifacts. Visitors can explore its vibrant prayer halls, observe monks chanting, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Tashi View Point: Tashi View Point is a fantastic spot for catching breathtaking views of the majestic Kanchenjunga range and the surrounding valleys. The viewpoint is especially popular for sunrise and sunset, offering spectacular panoramas as the sunlight hits the peaks. A small cafeteria nearby lets you relax and soak in the views with tea.

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Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Gangtok) over the years......

Visit Gangtok with me!!

Enchey Monastery: A historic and spiritual site, Enchey Monastery is over 200 years old and is an important centre for Buddhism in the region. Known for its peaceful vibe and intricate architecture, the monastery is surrounded by lush forests, making it an ideal spot for meditation. During annual festivals like Chaam (monk dance), visitors can witness colourful performances that depict ancient legends.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: This institute is a treasure trove of Tibetan culture, housing an impressive collection of rare manuscripts, artifacts, statues, and Buddhist scriptures. Visitors can delve into the rich history of Tibetan Buddhism, study ancient texts, and explore exhibits on traditional Tibetan art and culture, making it a must-visit for those interested in the region’s heritage.

Ban Jhakri Waterfalls: Ban Jhakri Waterfalls is a popular recreational spot set amidst lush green landscapes, ideal for a refreshing nature escape. The park around the waterfall features statues and figures that celebrate local legends and folklore, creating a unique blend of culture and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy short treks, picnic areas, and scenic views in this serene environment.

Ganesh Tok: Ganesh Tok, a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, sits on a hilltop, offering a panoramic view of the entire city and the snow-capped mountains. The site’s peaceful ambience and beautiful viewing deck make it a popular spot for photography and spiritual reflection. Visitors are encouraged to ring the temple bells for blessings and enjoy the scenic vistas.

Flower Exhibition Center: Located near White Hall, this vibrant centre showcases Sikkim’s stunning flowers, particularly orchids, during the blooming season. It’s a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers who want to capture the region’s diverse flora. The exhibition often features seasonal displays and competitions, making each visit unique.

Tsomgo Lake: Nestled amidst rugged mountains, Tsomgo Lake is a mesmerizing glacial lake known for its clear waters and beautiful reflections of the surrounding peaks. In winter, the lake often freezes, offering a unique sight. Visitors can enjoy yak rides around the lake, which locals consider sacred, adding a spiritual dimension to its natural charm.

Nathu La Pass : Located on the Indo-China border, Nathu La Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass that offers an adventurous and memorable experience. Known for its strategic importance and breathtaking views, the pass is accessible only with special permits. Alongside its historical significance, the pass provides an up-close look at the rugged terrain and extreme conditions of the Himalayas.

Accommodation Options

Budget Hotels: Prices for a single bed in budget hotels like Hotel Yashshree Sikkim Blossom start around ₹600–₹700 per night, while double beds range from ₹1,200 to ₹1,500.

Mid-Range Hotels: Properties like Summit Ttakshang Residency Hotel & Spa near MG Road have single beds from ₹1,500–₹2,000 and double beds ranging from ₹3,000–₹3,500 per night.

Luxury Options: Five-star hotels like Lemon Tree Hotel charge ₹6,000 and upwards for luxury rooms with double occupancy.

Nearest Transport Hubs

Nearest Railway Station: The closest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), located about 120 kilometres away. From NJP, you can hire a shared taxi or take a bus to Gangtok, which takes roughly 4 to 5 hours.

Nearest Airport: Pakyong Airport is the closest airport, only 35 kilometres from Gangtok. Alternatively, Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, about 125 kilometres away, offers more frequent flights and transport options to the city.

Gangtok’s unique combination of natural beauty and cultural depth makes it a prime destination in Northeast India. For a complete experience, explore both the serene monasteries and the thrilling outdoor adventures.

Sabitra Bhandari and the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship Semi Final Victory

In the world of women's football, the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship has been a hot topic of discussion. The Nepal women's football team, led by the trailblazing striker Sabitra Bhandari, made headlines with their stunning victory in the semifinals, where they defeated India. This victory has brought the team into the limelight and highlighted the incredible talent and determination of players like Sabitra Bhandari, Priti Rai, and Rekha Poudel.

Sabitra Bhandari: The Trailblazing Striker

Sabitra Bhandari, affectionately known as Samba, hails from the picturesque village of Pamchowk in Lamjung, Nepal. At just 23, Bhandari has made headlines as the all-time highest goal scorer in Nepalese football history, netting an astonishing 49 goals and solidifying her status as the highest woman goal scorer in South Asia.Her journey began humbly, playing with boys in her village, where she first learned to hone her skills. “I never felt weaker than the boys,” she recalls, her voice tinged with pride. “Football was my passion, and I embraced every challenge that came my way.”

The Journey to the Top

Bhandari made her international debut at the tender age of 17 during the 2014 South Asian Football Federation Championship, where she scored just minutes after stepping onto the field against Bhutan, helping her team clinch an impressive 8-0 victory. “That moment changed my life,” she reflects. “It was the start of something beautiful.”Her journey took her beyond Nepal's borders, leading her to the Indian Women’s League, where she played for Sethu FC and later Gokulam Kerala FC. Here, Samba flourished, scoring at an incredible rate and leading her teams to championship victories. “I fell in love with the game all over again in India,” she admits, her eyes sparkling with the memories of her achievements. “The competition was fierce, and it pushed me to be better.”

Breaking Barriers

Bhandari's success is not just measured by goals; it is about breaking barriers. She has faced stereotypes and prejudice as a player who prefers a boyish haircut and attire. Yet, she wears her identity with pride. “People often called me ‘dai’ or ‘bhai’ because of my looks, but I never let it define me,” she says with a chuckle. “I am Sabitra, and I play football.”Her recent move to the French club En Avant Guingamp marks another milestone in her career, making her the first Nepalese player to compete in a European league. “It’s surreal,” she exclaims, excitement bubbling over. “I hope to inspire young girls back home to dream big and chase those dreams relentlessly.”

The 2024 SAFF Women's Championship

As she prepares for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship final, Bhandari’s eyes are set on a new goal: leading Nepal to its first-ever championship title. “We’ve fought hard to be here,” she declares passionately. “This is our moment, and I believe we can achieve it together.”

With every match, goal, and challenge, Sabitra Bhandari continues to forge her legacy—one that transcends football. She inspires a generation to believe in their potential and, most importantly, to embrace their authentic selves. As she steps onto the pitch, the world will be watching, rooting for the girl who dared to dream beyond borders.