How to reach here:
By Air: The nearest airport is situated in the town of Siliguri, the Bagdogra Airport is well connected to several cities in the country.
By Rail: The Jalpaiguri station, which is situated in the town of Siliguri, is the best option for those who are arriving by rail.
Best time to visit: Throughout the year.
Languages spoken: Bengali, Bhutia, Nepali, Hindi, English.
Places you must visit:
Borong is a popular village situated near Ravangla, facing the snow-capped mountains. This village is reached through the Maenam trek and is most popularly known for its hot springs of 'Borong Tsachu'. The trek route along this region starts from Namchi or Damthang and ends at Tendong. The hot springs of Borong facilitate traditional winter spas in the area. These springs being sulphurous, are said to contain medicinal properties that are capable of curing many skin problems and other ailments associated with joints, bones and muscles.
The Temi Tea Estate is known for producing top quality tea for domestic and international markets. This tea garden is spread on a single hill slope that originates from the Tendong Hills. A visit to this tea garden provides an opportunity to view the processing of tea leaves into the final tea product, in their factories. This tea garden was established in 1960s by the Sikkim Government, under the last king of Sikkim.The specialty of the tea produced at this garden, is its rare combination of tea flavors with liquor that makes it fetch some of the highest rates in the international market.
Shiva temple is located on the banks of the Rangit river, at Legshep and its most popular feature is the annual festival of Shivaratri, held here during every February.
The 8530 ft tall Tendong Hill is one of the most prominent attractions of Ravangla, as well as of the South Sikkim. This hill is the subject of many myths passed down through generations of the indigenous Lepchas. Its name translates as “the upraised horn”, which has been given to it by the Lepchas, at the time when their land was submerged in flood waters. Since then, there has been a tradition at this hill, that a monk visits it during the monsoons and stays there throughout the season, continuously praying that the calamity does not repeat itself.
The Maenam Hills is one of the trekking points of Ravangla Town and is situated at an altitude of 10,300 ft. The surroundings of this hill provide a view of Mt. KhangchenDzonga, as well as of many other richly forested and rugged hills. On clear sunny days, from this hill, one can also view the Bengal plains, spread between Kalimpong and Darjeeling hills.This hill is also a meditation site for a large number of monks. The forests around these hills include vegetation like oak, chestnut, magnolia and rhododendron trees. This cover of vegetation is a natural habitat for red pandas, Himalayan black bears and several species of deer.
The Ralong Hot Springs, known also as the Ralang Cha-chu, are located at a distance of 7 km from the village of Borong and 4 km from the Naya Bazaar, on the banks of River Rangit. Apart from being medicinal, these springs also have religious importance, as they are found in one of the four holy caves of Sikkim. The area is also an ideal spot for butterfly and bird watchers.
The village of Kewzing is an ideal location for experiencing the local rural life of Sikkim. The families here allow travellers to stay with them, providing an experience of the renowned Sikkimese hospitability. The famous Bonn Monastery is also located at a short distance from this village. 2 km from the Kewzing Bazaar, lies the Mangbrue Gompa, which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. The area of this village was also used as a strategic location by the invading Bhutanese army during the 19th century and the ruins of their bunkers and outposts are still seen here.
The Tashiding Monastery was established in 1716 AD and its name translates to ‘Central Elevated Glory’. This monastery complex is also home to the sacred stupa of "Thongwa Rongdol" Chorten, the sight of which is said to wash away all the sins of the person.The most prominent feature of this monastery is its annual Bumchu Festival, during which a barrel containing holy water is opened to see what the year ahead holds, based on the level of the water. The origin of this festival belongs to the time of Guru Padmasambhava, in the 7th century AD, when this water used to contain sacred soil and precious jewels from different holy places of India.
The Rayong Sunrise View Point is situated 8 km away from the town of Ravangla, on the road to Damthang. This view point provides a panoramic view of the surroundings and a very good view of the sunrise at the place. The first rays of the sunrise at this place lighten up the peaks of Mt. Narsing, Jopuno, Kabur, Rathong and Pandim.
The Buddha Park of Ravangla is situated near Rabong. It is home to a Buddhist circuit and a statue of Lord Buddha. The statue of Lord Buddha was established there, in the year of 2006, on the occasion of the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. This statue was built and installed in the place through the joint efforts of the Sikkim government and its people. The Buddhist circuit of this park was built here under the project, for boosting pilgrimage and tourism in the place.
The Bonn Monastery was established in the late 1980s as a symbol of the determination of the community of Kewzing, in preserving their traditions.The Bonn faith of this monastery primarily flourished in Tibet in the 8th century AD, even before the advent of Buddhism. It is said that many of the rituals of this sect have been assimilated into Buddhism.
The Ralang Monasteries is a group of two monasteries. These monasteries follow the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. The older monastery was established in 1768 AD and the new monastery, known as the Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute, was built by the XII Gyaltsab Rinpoche, in 1995. According to a legend, the 9th Karmapa, who was the head of the Kagyupa sect, blessed this monastery with grains of rice thrown from Tibet.The main feature of this monastery is the masked dance of Kagyed Chaam, which is performed every year by 'Pang Lhabsol', as a ritual of worshiping Mt. Khangchendzonga. This dance is held on the 15th day of the seventh month, as well as on the 29th day of tenth month of the Buddhist calendar, just before the Losoong, which is the Sikkimese New Year.
The Kheunpheling Carpet Center is a carpet-weaving center situated in the Tibetan Refugee Settlement Camp of Ravangla Town. This center is known for producing traditionally designed and woven woolen carpets. This center was setup by the government to boost traditional Sikkimese handicraft and hand loom work. People come here to learn the art of wood carving and weaving, as well as for buying some local souvenirs.
The Doling Gompa or Monastery is situated in the Barfung Village, 4 km away from Ravangla Town. This monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism, which is one of the oldest sects, also referred to as the Red Hat sect. Its location among st the cardamom plantations also provides an opportunity to see the rich flora and fauna of the region.
Khandosangphu and Sharchog Bephug are two of the four holy caves of Sikkim, where Guru Padmasambhava preached Buddhism, as well as meditated for a long time during the 7th century AD. The caves of Khandosangphu are located at a distance of 34 km from Ravangla. These caves are said to have been the site of the legendary battle between Guru Rimpoche and a female demon that terrorized the area. This incident has been manifested in the way of rock formations in the cave.The hot sulphur springs of "Phur Cha-chu" are also situated near these caves. The Sharchog Bephug Caves are situated in Sangmo Village at about 8 km from Ravangla Town. These are the largest holy caves of Sikkim that extend between the area of Menam and Tendong Hills.
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