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A Week in Pelling

After a very exhausting and fulfilling 10-day Goechala Trek in Sikkim that took me to the base camp at Kanchenjanga, I was not ready to leave this Himalayan paradise. So, I decided to spend some time in the little town of Pelling on my way back, to rest and to explore. This was back in 2012 when Pelling was still a sleepy little town, not the tourist hub it is quickly becoming.

I spent my week lazing in the hotel, looking out to the Kanchenjanga, eating good Sikkimese food cooked by the locals, sketching the landscape and of course, hiking a little more to discover the magnificent past and culture as well as the natural beauty that is abundantly found all around in Pelling.

Here are a few snapshots of my time in Pelling.

The clouds and mountains play hide and seek…the view from my window. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.
When the clouds finally give way to this magnificent view of the Kanchanjanga. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.
Enjoying a piping hot bowl of Thukpa and the views. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.
Entering Rabdentse- ruins of the second capital of the kingdom of Sikkim. These date back to late 1600s. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.

Ruins & Rituals in the Clouds- The rewards after an hour of hiking through the ruins of Rabdentse. Khatas being offered for the souls of ancestors. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.

Pemayangtse Monastery dates back to 1705. The beautifully and colorfully painted windows left me in awe. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.
Khecheopalri Lake with the Buddhist prayer flags around it and the many myths about its wish fulfilling properties is a tranquil haven and worth the 34 km trek from Pelling. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.
Prayer Flags and Stupas along the forest path up to the hidden treasure of Sanga Choeling Monastery. Image Credit: Anahita Suri.

And you finally reach the forgotten little Sanga Choeling Monastery, the oldest in Sikkim, built in 1697. There are no roads so the only way to reach up is a 1 hour hike! Image Credit: Anahita Suri.

Unfortunately, it was time to leave, with the hope of going back there again to bask in the many natural, historical and cultural wonders.

Author: Anahita Suri, Assistant Professor, School of Fashion Design, Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID)

Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.

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