We started driving towards Rinchenpong in Sikkim & all I expected was another hill town. We expected some stunning views of Kanchenjunga. Do we not get them from almost all of the town? I think most towns were built from strategic viewpoints. It would have a couple of old Buddhist monasteries with some stories about who visited this monastery and when. Well, I was both right and wrong. Yes, the town has lovely views of the Kanchenjunga range of the Himalayas.
Rinchenpong, Sikkim – Tourist Attractions
Yes, it has those lovely monasteries with flags fluttering on both sides of the path leading to them. But, it was much more than that – that no guide or guidebook told me.
Before I take you around the town, let me admit that this map on the wall of the town’s bazaar helped us discover a lot of the town. How I wish every town has such a tourist map to guide and inform tourists.
The Orchid Flowers Trail
The tourist map of the town called it an Orchid belt, but I choose to call it an Orchid Trail. We followed the road until the Gompa and parked the car. Had no other option as the road ended here. We started walking through the thick forest on a roughly defined path that was full of fallen leaves. For about 20 minutes, there was no sign of any habitation or even orchids. I wondered if we are on the right path, but our guide insisted that we walk a little more. The prayer flags here and there indicated human habitation around. After a while, we saw a lone house in the middle of the jungle. Now it was not a hut or a small outhouse, it was a nice well-maintained house.
Houses in the forest
The path ahead went through the house. As soon as we stepped into its verandah we found ourselves surrounded by pots full of orchid flowers. We had water from their hand pump and moved on. Here on, we kept getting houses at regular intervals – each with a lovely array of Orchids in their backyards and front yards. Some even had flowering cacti. At one house we stopped and spoke to the lady of the house – I loved the jewelry she was wearing. I wondered how they lived without a road, and for them, it was just a way of life and they did not want a road leading right up to their homes.
After about an hour we traced our way back to our car, but I was richer with the knowledge of the hills. I knew that the roads and facilities that we so yearn for are not something that everyone wants. Some people like their home surrounded by trees. Anyone visiting them must make an effort to walk to them.
At one of the houses, we met a kid who could replicate the sounds of the birds. We were stunned to see this 3-4-year-old child talking to birds as they tried to reproduce the same sounds as birds made on trees around her.
Legend of Poison Lake
Nieng Dah or the Poison Lake is an almost dry lake now. You will find young boys playing cricket here. The name Poison lake is intriguing, so we asked around and this is what we heard.
When the first British official came to Rinchenpong and built a Bungalow. This lake was directly linked to his Bungalow. One fine day, Lepchas – the local tribe planned to kill him by poisoning the lake. As luck would have it, his staff in spite of being local informed him about the Poison and saved his life.
I came back and the stories on the internet tell me that the poisoned lake actually killed many soldiers of the British forces in 1860. This forced the British to retreat. The lake that is almost non-existent now is still believed to be poisoned.
You choose the story you want to believe in. To me it highlights that biochemical wars are not a new phenomenon – they have existed forever.
The British Bungalow
From Poison Lake, a road goes to the British Bungalow of Poison Lake fame. It is now a PWD guest house – kind of out of the bound for the public. It hardly looks old – I assume a lot of renovation has happened over a period of time.
The Traditional Sikkimese House at Rinchenpong
This is a house that made us go around the town. The map placed it ahead of Poison Lake but we kept driving and all we saw was a path through thick forests.
Finally, we did see a stone house with very interesting colorful windows, standing alone in a large compound. The lower part was stone walls in an unusual criss-cross fashion. The upper floor has wooden windows with perforations cut in different geometric shapes. Corners had panels of different colors.
Since there were lots of dogs around, I stuck to the car. Our guide went inside to seek permission to visit the house, which was rudely refused.
Monasteries in Rinchenpong
We visited two monasteries there – one on each end of the Bazaar.
Honestly, I can not make much of the monasteries except that their vibrant colors are surrounded by greenery most of the time. The flags around them, fluttering with the wind tell me about the human faith.
Walk in Rinchenpong Bazaar
The town’s bazaar stands on the edge of the main road here. It is a perfect place to pick up your Chai and maybe a plate of Momo. And admire the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Pray for a clear day, though.
Rhododendron sanctuary is another attraction nearby, but to see it in full bloom, you must go sometime in March-April. We just missed it by a whisker in late April.
Have you added it to your list of places to visit in the state?
Recommend you to read the following blog posts on Places to visit in Sikkim.
Chardham on Solophok Hill, Namchi Sikkim
Pelling Places to see in Sikkim
Amazing pics.
Thank you Rupam.
Beautiful! I remember visiting Sikkim and Darjeeling during my childhood, in a summer vacation, with my parents. One of the fondest memories that got imprinted in my mind was of the cute houses on cliffs and midst greenery, surrounded by fresh flowering plants. The fact, that I still remember it vividly, speaks for its charm. The orchids in your pictures reminded me of the same. Hope, the houses are still like that.
Yes Neha, these houses that we found so far away from the roads are so charming. They are like a proud lover who wants you to make an effort to meet him or her.
Thank you Madam,
Nature is so beautiful only we have to explore it.
Right Namita. Nature has abundant blessings for us, it only our limitation that we do not seek them.
I am thinking of visiting in december. And I am in love with sikkim for not only the abundant exposures of nature but the prevailing culture as well.