I often do not understand that when I fall in love with a
place, she has something to do with the sun. Last time the place was Namthang
in East Sikkim. Nam means sun and thang means place or habitat. This is a
new road which ascends from Melli Bazaar, immediately after the check-post and
goes towards Namchi, Namthang is between, almost 45 minutes either ways. As per
the Sikkimese tradition, the boy and the girl in love runs away from the house
has to return to Namthang, where the parents of both sides will be called and
the marriage will be fixed, and hence considered to be one of the most auspicious
places to start life.
It is not alone about Namthang, but the cluster of villages,
which are surrounded by forests, view-points, lakes and organic agricultural
fields. The top of Namthang is a high forest overlooking the snow-capped peaks
of the Mt.Khangchendzonga range. Many years ago, when people could hardly
access this area, a monk from Bhutan (Druk Yul) came and meditated here.
Learning about his powers, people slowly started visiting him, but only the
blessed could do so. Finally when he left, it is believed that he hid all the
treasures in the two small lakes at the top, which he left to two large King Cobras
to guard them. Hence, the name Nagi Pokhari, pokhari meaning lake. Realising the importance of the area, since
last year the local tourism committee started with the “Nagi Pokhari Tourism
& Organic Festival”. This year again the Festival is starting on 31st
of December, 2015 and will be there for 03 days.
The other places of interest would be the Holy cave of the
Lepchas, Palitam. The local agriculture office offers interesting hands-on
training in organic farming from 03 days to 02 weeks duration. The bamboo craft
and candle making groups from the area has created sensation in Sikkim with
their skills. For Birdwatchers, this is paradise, especially from the river
beds of Rangit to the top of Nagi, which is 6000 feet plus, the Kitam Bird
Sanctuary is a part. A very rare, but interesting trek routes exists between
Namthang to Tendong Hill. Magajung, the place known for the historic war is a
natural hub. The Ghanti Dara, the Samten Choeling Lepcha monastery, the tiny
hamlet of Phongla and above all the culture of the people can be explored at
Namthang. The Tamang Dance from Maniram has earned a name for themselves,
nationally. The best part of the Namthang experience is that the only kinds of
accommodation are Homestays with the local people.
Namchi is a deep rooted part of my journey, as my first
exploration of Sikkim in Help Tourism, started with Nature Study and Adventure
Camps for school children, where there were 02 National camps held at Namchi
and 02 at Karfecter, near Namchi. The only accommodation at Namchi then was the
Youth Hostel with a soccer ground beside it. A beautiful trek route, nature
trail and rock-climbing site was found for the campers. The then tiny Bazaar or
market place was on the other side and there was hardly of any need. Today it
almost seems to be of the size of the Jorethang Bazaar or market and the places
of interest developed around are some of the replicas of the most important
Shiva temples of India, known as Char
Dhaam (the four Holy Shrines of Lord Shiva).
Guru Rimpoche, popularly known as Guru Padmasambhava, the
great soul who sowed the seed of Buddhism in the high Himalayan and Tibetan plateau
region has been put as a high statue (118 feet tall) in the sky as Samdruptse.
Not very far away, about 03 kms from the junction of Damthang is the Indian
Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Ecotourism (IHCAE) of Chemchey. Within half
an hour drive from Chemchey is Ravangla, which now houses the world famous Tathagath
Sthal or Buddha Park. The best part about Namchi is that she has evolved as one
of largest Convention centres in East Himalaya, with some of the finest
accommodating hotels, natural eco-resorts along with authentic Homestays. The
journey can continue to the only tea estate of Sikkim, Temi or to Ralong and
Borong. But I still need to explore the route from South to North Sikkim...
