Sailing high

Namchi is embedded with some mesmerising destinations and is still largely unexplored, says Gopa Samanta

North Bengal has a lot of wonderful spots that keep attracting tourists from all corners of the world. Holidaying in an exotic place itself sounds enthralling and when it comes to be a Himalayan abode, the experience can be remarkable. A visit to Namchi, nestled among the hills, offering a charismatic panorama of snow-capped mountains, affords abundant pleasure. Namchi in the Sikkimese language means “top of the sky”. Although it is located at an altitude of 4,600 feet but staying here gives a feeling on the top of the world. Namchi is just 100 km from Siliguri. The district headquarter is fast becoming an important tourist destination in Sikkim for some of the best trek routes around. While on the treks, you can witness the magical beauty of this sedate town. It is also an important pilgrimage destination as it has the revered Namchi Monastery. With beautiful surroundings of high peaks, deep valleys and the Rangeet River, Namchi is not less than a picture postcard. The significant addition is the view of Mt Kanchenzunga from the hotel balcony (however, one must choose the location of hotels to capture this glimpse). However, Namchi still remains exotic with only Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha people all around.

Namchi was a tiny village on the slope of a Himalayan peak until 1994, when the head-quarter of southern district of Sikkim shifted from Jorethang to this place. Since then it is gaining size by both in area and in population, and the government of Sikkim is trying hard to promote tourism in Namchi. Namchi boasts of the famous statue of Samdruptse (Guru Rinpoche) that is not less than 118 feet in height. Namchi also embraces the famous Rock Garden, Cottage Industry, Doling Gompa and Namchi Monastery.

In 2003, a gigantic statue of Padmasambhava was built on the top of a nearby peak to attract Buddhist tourists. Another temple dedicated to Shiva and other Hindu gods and goddesses is under construction and is located on another peak. At Namchi, every other household whose means of earning livelihood depends largely on tourism is eagerly awaiting the completion of this temple, which they believe would increase the inflow of Hindu tourists in large numbers. But, Namchi would remain exotic with its overwhelming scenic beauty ever after.

here are several short trek routes to various places around Namchi like a Helipad, Samdrubtse and Rock garden lying within a stretch of five to eight kilometres. However, those who do not want to trek, can get hired taxi from central stand at reasonable rates. The Baichung stadium after the name of Baichung Bhutia, Youth hostel which has been presently converted into Sports Authority of India office and Ahlay Monastery, located on the top most region are within a distance of ten minutes walk.

The monastery positioned in the midst of huge pine trees will catch your attention with its prevailing silence occasionally broken by the sounds of drums, flutes, bugles and prayer song and sometimes the murmuring of child lamas. The view of Namchi from the roof of this Monastery is breathtaking.  Samdrubtse, is an isolated and famous Buddhist meditation place located eight kilometres away on the top of the peak near Namchi. Now there is a gigantic statue (110 feet high) of Padmasambhava on a 25 feet high golden lotus. The golden statue in the midst of lush green forests is visible from its surroundings. About one and half hour trek to Samdrubtse along the winding roads through the damp and dense forest with tall trees and exotic ferns and orchids give immense pleasure. On the way back, you can stop at the Rock Garden. This picturesque garden is built on the high cliff face of a valley side slope with terraces down the valley. There are some categories of rare flowers, orchids and timber in the rock garden. The garden also has a children’s playground and open restaurant at its base. Nearby, is a oldest Sikkim monastery called Ngadak.

On the other side of the Samdrubtse there is a helipad at a distance of five km from Namchi. The place is called Assanthang, located on top of a peak surrounded by valleys. The scenic beauty of scattered villages on the hilly slopes, winding valley of Rangeet River far below and nothing but the sky above gives a splendid feeling. Another trekking destination is Tendong hill, a volcanic hill of 8,530 feet. Trekking to Tendong starts from Damthang (14 km from Namchi) located at the base of the hill and it takes two hour to reach here. The name ‘Tendong’ means ‘upraised horn’ from the Lepcha lore and the popular myth is Tendong rose up miraculously like a horn in time when a great flood submerged their land to save them. In reality it was the upraising of a volcanic hill. Even today prayers are offered from the hilltop before the onset of the monsoon (the festival is called Tendong Lho Rum Faat) to appease the details and prevent a recurrence of the calamity.

On the same route towards Singtam 13 km away from Damthang there is Temi tea garden. Established in 1968, with an area of 500 acres, this tea garden is famous for organic tea in the world of tea export. Miles and miles of green shrubby tea garden gives a panoramic view. With permission from the authorities, one can see the entire process of tea making and can buy a pack of export quality organic tea from their retail sales counter for tourists. On your way back home from Namchi you can take a detour and can spend a few hours to enjoy the beauty of Rangeet at Jorethang. This place is a commercial centre of South Sikkim and has very good access to all the places of Sikkim. A cable bridge and the riverside park at the confluence of a tributary with Rangeet have added dimensions to the beauty of the place. You can spend a few hours just sitting on the riverbed boulders dipping your legs in the running water of the river.

Namchi is also famous for some delicious Sikkimese and Nepalese cuisine. The food is cheaper in comparison to any restaurant in Kolkata. One should not miss the varieties of soups, thukpa, momo, gyathuk and Nepali adu dum.  How to get there: There are regular trains from Sealdah and Howrah to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From there rickshaws and autos are available to Sikkim’s Nationalised Transport bus stand. If you can, grab the right side window seat to enjoy the beauty of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers on your way to Namchi.  Don’t forget that for dumping rubbish or litter, you may have to pay a fine of up to Rs 5,000 or risk imprisonment of six months, which has been in effect from 9 July 2002 in Sikkim. [The Statesman]

(The author is senior lecturer in Mankar College, Burdwan.)