July 2nd! A brand-new day, and a complete shift in gears from our original plans. South Sikkim, here we come! Truth be told, this impromptu itinerary had me a little on edge. Tackling an unplanned adventure with the whole family? Definitely a first for me! (but a thrilling one nonetheless).
We packed our bags, hopped in the car, and ventured into the unknown, ready to embrace the enchanting beauty of South Sikkim. And boy, oh boy, did it deliver! From mist-covered valleys to jaw-dropping waterfalls, this place had it all. Our spontaneous detour turned out to be the best decision we’ve made yet! Stay tuned for more Sikkim Chronicles coming your way!
#2 Sikkim travel tip: Embrace flexibility! Research is key, but leave room for spontaneity. One day at a time is the best way to experience Sikkim’s magic. For Tip #1, have a look at the 2nd blog in this series here.
Temi Tea Garden – Charming Greenery
South Sikkim wasn’t originally on our radar during the planning stages. Geeta and I had done some research, but as the trip loomed closer, South Sikkim faded into the background. Fast-forward, and here we were, hurtling towards South Sikkim with a new itinerary in hand! The first hour was a breeze – clear roads and open highways had us cruising towards our first stop, the Temi Tea Garden.
Having braved tea plantations in Munnar (check out my Kerala chronicles!), I figured a dose of rolling green hills was just what we needed to recover from yesterday’s North Sikkim snafu. And Temi Tea Garden didn’t disappoint! Sure, it wasn’t as sprawling as Munnar or Ooty, but the lush, tiered slopes, the serenity of the place, and the jaw-dropping Himalayan backdrop were all picture-perfect. Cameras clicked like crazy, memories were made, and for a blissful hour, all was right with the world (or at least our Sikkim adventure).
Our wallets got lighter (and our hearts happier!) at the tea outlet, where we stocked up on goodies. We also couldn’t resist indulging in the local speciality, Sel Roti. This sweet treat, made with a light batter of rice flour, water, sugar, ghee, and spices, was then deep-fried to crispy perfection. The refreshing tea alongside perfectly complemented the Sel Roti’s mild sweetness. Leaving this little slice of heaven was tough, but the promise of more adventures on the road propelled us forward!
The smooth ride sputtered to a halt as the road quality deteriorated. Soon, we were navigating narrow village lanes, our car inching forward. To make matters more interesting (read: frustrating), a key connecting road was under construction, forcing us onto a bumpy, hour-long off-road detour. Our bodies begged for a break, but the seemingly endless road stretched on. Finally, after a somewhat treacherous drive, we arrived at the much-anticipated Siddheswara Dham in Namchi.
Siddheswara (Char) Dham Yatra
While I wouldn’t call myself particularly religious (there’s a longer story behind that, for another time!), I respect the faith of others. My family, especially my sister and mom, are quite devout, so I was happy to join them at the Siddheswara Dham (also known as Char Dham) Temple.
What surprised me was the peaceful atmosphere at the temple. None of the usual pressures I sometimes associate with religious sites – no pushy priests or overwhelming rituals. Instead, it was a place of quiet reflection.
The highlight was the towering 108-foot statue of Lord Shiva, surrounded by a ring of twelve Jyotirlingams and representing the four cardinal directions of India; char dhams of India: Jagannath in the East, Dwarka in the West, Rameshawaram in the South, and Badrinath in the North.
I mocked my mother and taunted her, “Your son has covered you”, stating that you have visited all significant religious sites and should refrain from complaining again. She responded with a sarcastic smile.
What truly astonished me at the temple was the incredible variety of plants I’d never seen before. It made perfect sense why Sikkim is called “Indrakil, garden of the god Indra”. Every flower we passed seemed to burst with vibrant colours, like a masterpiece painted by a divine hand. The flora itself felt like a spiritual experience, adding to the tranquillity of the temple.
Our adventure to the temple spread across 7 acres left us famished. With bellies rumbling like thunder, we begged our trusty driver, Mr. Jitu Biswas, for a decent meal. He assured us, with the utmost confidence, that Ravangla, a town boasting decent outlets, was just around the corner. Little did I know, it would take days and half of Sikkim to finally realise that the Sikkim car operators are way off their estimated timelines.
Buddha Park of Ravangla
Arriving in Ravangla by 2 pm, we were initially captivated by the town’s stunning scenery, momentarily pushing hunger aside. Nestled 8,000 feet (2,438.4 m) above sea level in South Sikkim, Ravangla greeted us with a double dose of delight. The refreshingly cool mountain air was a welcome change, and a distant glimpse of a Buddha statue instilled a sense of serenity. However, our rumbling stomachs won the battle against immediate sightseeing. We opted for a decent lunch at Hotel Buddha Mikha, conveniently located near the Buddha Park’s parking area. While the meal itself wasn’t particularly memorable (except for my brother-in-law’s love for the Aloo Posto), the excitement of exploring the park soon overshadowed any lingering thoughts of food.
Now, onto the Buddha Park, or Tathagata Tsal as it’s also called. This place is dominated by a colossal, 130-foot Buddha statue, built in 2013 from a staggering 60 tonnes of copper! As you enter the park, the rows of prayer wheels, also known as mani wheels, line the path like welcoming arms. Tibetan Buddhist tradition holds that spinning these wheels carries the same merit as reciting prayers aloud. While the intended effect might be spiritual, for us, they sparked pure childhood joy!
Stuffed from lunch, we opted for a ride in the park’s adorable electric car, using my mom’s comfort as an excuse (we all know how persuasive “mom’s comfort” can be!). As we waited for our turn, I couldn’t resist capturing the park’s captivating atmosphere with my camera. It’s moments like these that make me wonder: for all the advancements in technology, with fancy lenses, megapixels, and multiple cameras at our disposal, can anything truly replicate the way we experience the world through our own eyes? After all, the most cherished memories are the ones we see, feel, and absorb, not the ones we simply record.
Back in the present, Geeta was wielding Sudhir’s prized Nikon D7500 DSLR like a seasoned pro. Let’s just say it was a brave move considering our limited camera knowledge! Sudhir, if you’re reading this, we hope we didn’t break anything!
Our ride arrived, and I excused myself to the back seat along with Geeta. It offered the best views😉
The electric car ride was a delight, whisking us to the foot of the Buddha statue in a breeze (about ten minutes). The sight was truly breathtaking – jaw-droppingly beautiful! Cameras were a no-go inside, but honestly, we wouldn’t have needed them anyway. As we walked along the informative walkway, reading about Gautama Buddha’s path to enlightenment, a realization dawned: it wasn’t just him who became enlightened, but the world around him too.
After an hour immersed in the Buddha Park’s serenity, we hopped back on the electric car, already debating how long a walk it would have been. Hunger pangs (unsurprising, considering our bottomless pits for stomachs!) returned, reminding us we weren’t so different from our rabbits back home. Speaking of which, Mishti and Doi were living the high life at Pets Hangover! Growing up in Ranchi, pet resorts were the stuff of wild dreams, let alone using them. But then came Mishti and Doi, and let’s just say they turned me into a full-fledged pet person.
The drive from Ravangla to Pelling, our final stop for the day, was one of the most exhilarating rides I’ve ever experienced. Keep in mind that Sikkim’s weather can be dramatic, especially after 2 pm. If you’re at higher altitudes, expect to be greeted by rolling clouds. This journey was no exception. Lush Alpine and chestnut trees (though shrouded in mist, it was challenging to tell for sure) lined the road as we climbed. The clouds rapidly descended, engulfing not just our hearts with a sense of adventure, but also the roads! Visibility dropped to near zero, making for an anxiety-filled 20 minutes, especially for me, who was far from the less-than-ideal vantage point of the rear seat.
Pelling, our final destination, held one last surprise. The homestay Mr. Kunzang arranged was adorable, practically everything we’d hoped for. Unfortunately, there was a power outage. The owner, genuinely apologetic, explained the general electricity line had been damaged since morning and repairs were unknown. With limited daylight in Sikkim (by 7 pm, most things close), Geeta and I scrambled to find alternate accommodations using Make My Trip. While not ideal, we secured a decent enough rooms for the night. Exhausted from the day’s adventures, we grabbed dinner at the hotel and crashed into bed.
This concludes part three of my Sikkim Chronicles. If you’re enjoying the ride so far, hit that share button and spread the Sikkim love! (And hey, a few new followers wouldn’t hurt 😉)
Thanks for reading!