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

Yesterday i missed out an important feature in my article i should had added the present photograph of the Rhenock Shivalaya too. So this is the present state of the Shivalaya that is loosing its hold in today's scenario. Now (2008) Then (before 1900)

BY SHITAL PRADHAN A small hamlet in an eastern side Silent raush on its way, The old silk route, More older it look Upon which I stay, Hey that’s Rongli, Rongli my birthplace Years went by, years dried up, Yet the small village is as it was, Silent, peaceful and introvert Today’s picture of Rongli, Houses as station bogie, Looks a cradle, from Chujachen, Upon which the blue sky, As if I can touch thee, Roaring River, As the legend we hear, Still watch with glee, The terror of 1890 somewhat forgotten, Yet another terrorizing moment, 68 was the year… 1968, When sky too wasn’t pleased. That was Rongli, Rongli of the past. Playing along the Baar-Pepal tree, Hiding in the Shivalaya, Watching videos and aloft Is a decent memory, now? Sweet time in treasure, Yet when I am in Rongli, I am happy, in whither sweet. Rongli my birthplace !

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Discovering Sikkim that has its own rich heritage, culture, its legend and many mysterical phenomenons has always been my passion and to learn that was something unknown to most of the people makes me a happy man. Some time back I was to a place called Pasting, a small village with 45 houses in the forest region when this time around the white chaamp flower is to its full bloom. I was born in Rongli more than two decades ago but never could have I gone beyond the place of Lingtam that is just a half an hour drive. Sometime back, I was at Rongli along with my father to visit my grandfather cardamom field at Pasting. Since grandfather was staying at Pasting for couple of week so we were four to visit him, kaka, nini, father and myself. There was a drive till the small bridge near the Lingtam. Thereafter there was a walk for half an hour across the jungle and finally we reached our destination. After taking rest grandfather took four of us to show the c...

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Sikkim is a home of religious front. Amidst the fact that these heritage sites are now a part of negligence but still richness lies in its glory of the past. With the wheel of clock things have gone through their mid way but there are certain strokes that pave its own path and remain the testimony of the hour. Through this blog I have always tried to give the best insight story to its reader regarding Sikkim, it’s past and present. Here comes a story of a Shiv mandir in Rhenock that has been weaving in a tale frozen in time. A Shivalaya at Rhenock Jeep stand near Bhanu Bhakta‘s statue had its own glory days and now lies in an affirm of deep silence. Once much crowded, Mandir is now on the verge of losing its charm. I met Sunder Kumar Pradhan, former Panchayat member from Rhenock in his early 80s some time back and have heard a fascinating story of this mandir. According to Pradhan, this mandir has been in its present position ever since he was a child. H...