India's Picturesque Pelling - Himalaya's Land of God

In the end of January, me and my husband set off for Pelling; a remote destination in the Sikkim, one of the states of India, in her northern part, on the lap of Himalaya. At around 9 PM, we got into the train, that regularly takes people from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. When the train began its journey, we were at cloud nine. Why not, it was our honeymoon trip. We reached New Jalpaiguri at around 10 AM and started to hunt for a car, which could take us to the land of god. Thank god, we finally got one. After a lot of bargaining, we settled at INR 1400, which is around $35. When the car emerged from Sukhna forest, we felt the big Himalaya, standing erect in front of us. Oh, what a feeling. Very soon, the car started to climb the hilly road, often turns like the hair pin and I was experiencing the enormous joy in the sight of beauties. Excitement from the thought of danger, scenic beauties all around, sight of Tista(the famous river in Sikkim) like silver ribbon, all were just mesmerizing me. I was full, contented. I heard that from Pelling, one can watch the Kanchenjungha (the seven horses of Sun), third highest peak of the world and was counting hours to experience that. My hubby was a little cool as he had been to the place before. But I had never been here and I was sucking the last drop of juices that sips from the hilly flowers. Smelling the fragrance of the valley and quenching the thirst of my eyes.

After 4 hours of journey, our car suddenly took a turn which revealed white tresses of God at the top of the sky. It looked like a sage, a seer with his milky white hair tangled. Sun rays were playing with it, occasionally, painting with red, orange hue. It was beyond any expression. Word fails me to describe that beauty which has proved to be a strong attraction for all the nature lovers over the years. The outside weather was cloudy, chilly, but we were not at all bothered. I just opened my digital camera to capture what my eyes were witnessing. I stilled the moment, the sight.

We reached at our hotel at around 3 PM and it was time for quick lunch. We wanted to complete it as soon as possible. After that, our next mission was to buy some alcohol which is cheapest in Sikkim. The night was an experience of life time. We were sitting in the lawn, our lips were sipping the local wine and eyes were to the hills. Lights coming out of the huts of local village and it seemed millions of twinkling stars have taken refuge on the hills. We were visualizing God in his own Avatar.

The morning was for sight seeing. First we went to visit rock garden and Kanchenjungha falls. If you have never been to Kanchenjungha falls before, you might have missed the onset of VIBGYOR when the cascade of water kisses the rocks. Khechipuri Lake is one place where you won't be able to find a single leave floating over it while it is surrounded by forest. Local myth says that to protect the lake of God, all birds guard it and if any leave touches the water, a bird clears it instantly. It is believed that all your wishes will come true, if you visit the lake and pray.

The entire story will remain untold, if I forget to tell you about the old Sikkim palace. When our driver stranded us in front of a long forest and told us 'you need to walk 4 km roads to visit the palace', we were dumb stuck. The entry of forest gate was warning us about the number and kind of animals present there and we knew we could not save our life if any of them decides to dine on us. Still, we were into the mood of adventure and so we set off. The remnants of oldest dynasty of Sikkim, told us the story, its history and the grandeur they enjoyed. The place was so cleverly chosen and the palace was so cleverly crafted that from one point one can view the entire Sikkim. It was simply wonderful.

The last day was to bid adieu to Pelling and to move towards our next destination. I was thinking, if I again get a chance I will surely come here, on the lap of God.