Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

Guru Tshen Gye Dance by the Eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche The eight aspects under which Guru Rinpoche manifested himself on various occasions appear in a procession with the principal aspect of Guru Rinpoche shaded by a parasol. Certain other aspects are accompanied by their retinues and small celestial beings.In order of appearance, they are : Dorji Drolo - Liberated Diamond - Thunderbolt Tshokye Dorji - Diamond-Thunderbolt Born from a Lake Loden Chogse - He who Wishes to Acquire Supreme Knowledge Padmasambhava - Born of the Lotus Flower Guru Rinpoche - Most Precious Master Shakya Sengye - Lion of the Shakya Family Pema Gyelpo - Lotus-King Nima Yoezer - Sun-Beam Sengye Drathok - He with the Voice of a Lion Guru Rinpoche seats under a silk canopy wearing a golden mask surrounded by attendent fairies in white masks. Photos by: Prabin Gurung, Rinchenpong,West Sikkim Information: happyholidays.com

Debasish Deb  If you are bored of watching the Kanchenjunga from crowded Darjeeling or Pelling, it’s time you headed for Rinchenpong. Far away from the bustle of noisy tourist spots, Rinchenpong was, till recently, a small village in the hills of West Sikkim, 6,000 ft above sea level. None other than Rabindranath Tagore had spent a couple of days in this getaway in the 1920s. Rabindranath Smriti Van, the house where the poet stayed and enjoyed the scenic view of the Himalayas, is just 2 km from Rinchenpong bazaar. It is a major tourist draw and has been maintained well. Rinchenpong, which is more popularly known as Silent Valley, is particularly attractive for those who like short hill treks. Jungles, orchids, a variety of birds and treasures of ancient Sikkim are the draws along the trail. About 3 km from Rinchenpong bazaar is the Resum monastery. Located at the junction of three hills, this place of worship was built almost two centuries ago by a local lepcha and is still u...

Bijoy Gurung  (The author is The Statesman’s Gangtok-based correspondent.) Far from the madding crowd, Rinchenpong is a tiny, seductive hamlet in West Sikkim, an ideal getaway from the bustling cosmopolitan life. Boasting an incomparable view of the mighty Kanchenjunga range and lush green forests promising memorable treks, Rinchenpong is still an unknown destination. The relative virginity of the hamlet makes it truly a hidden Shangri-la as it has remained untouched by the side effects of exposure to tourism. “Rinchenpong is the new destination for tourists in Sikkim. Village tourism is its main USP,” tour operator Lokendra Rasaily said. “It is all about eco-tourism and completely nature-based,” he added. Compared to the sight of Kanchenjunga when viewed from Darjeeling or Pelling, the view from Rinchenpong is more majestic because the entire range can be seen. Bird watching, lush green pastures, wild orchids and the freshness of the place make it most attractive. V...