Though Pelling is a small hamlet in West Sikkim, it is on every tourist’s map. I got to explore this small yet beautiful place recently and took back some fabulous memories.

If you ever land up here, then here are 7 things you must try out. 

(1) GET YOUR SKETCHBOOK OUT AT RABDENTSE RUINS

This place is visually remarkable. The ruins, cradled in the center of neatly manicured lawns and enveloped by the splendid hills of Sikkim, paint a beautiful contrast of color and texture. After you’re done strolling around the vast grounds, prop yourself in any corner and give a go at sketching the brownstone walls, the chortens, or the lawns. 

Rabdentse Ruins, Pelling

(2) EAT AT PELLING'S OLDEST BAKERY- LOTUS BAKERY

The unassuming tin-roofed building gives no sign of being a bakery save for the lone plastic table and chairs outside it. The bakery’s paper signboard too is partially hidden from view by the prayer flags stretched across the entrance door but it’s not hard to miss as there’s always someone grabbing a quick bite and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. A simple display case inside entices you with coconut buns, cone-shaped coconut cookies, doughnuts, muffins, sweet buns, cream rolls, jam bread, chocolate croissants, and more at nominal rates (most cost just Rs 10). It’s open from 7 am to 5 pm.

Lotus Bakery, Pelling

(3) TAKE A WALK IN A BIRD PARK

The Sidkeong Tulku Bird Park is quite different from the others you might have seen. The area is encased with an enormous green net, and an elevated walkway takes you across the length of the park. The bird cages are way down below on either side of the walkway, and the birds can best be seen closely through binoculars. The park breeds some interesting birds such as Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, and Golden Pheasant.

Sidkeong Tulku Bird Park, Pelling

(4) VIEW FINE ART INSIDE THE CHENREZIG STATUE

While the Chenrezig statue, the fourth tallest statue in Sikkim, clearly dominates the skyline, the spiral walk from inside towards the top is what is really fascinating. The curved walls are a never-ending cloth canvas of the most magnificent artwork by a single artist Hissey Zangpo. The scenes depict stories of different Buddhist deities. 

Chenrezig statue, Pelling

(5) GET ENCHANTED BY GURU RIMPUCHE'S COPPER-COLOURED PARADISE

The Pemayangtse Monastery houses a small museum showcasing old cooking utensils, butter lamps, dance costumes, furniture (there’s a tsokse table that was used in the palace in Rabdentse), musical instruments, etc, which provide a wonderful insight into Sikkim’s cultural history. The crowning glory, however, is housed in a tiny room beside it. Encased in a huge glass box can be found the copper-colored paradise of Guru Rimpuche. It is believed that the manifestation of the celestial paradise was painstakingly created by a single monk who dreamt of every component of it and recreated it over a passage of 7 years. 

Inside is Guru Rimpuche’s copper-colored paradise

(6) GRAB A BITE FROM THE FOOD TRUCK

Food trucks are pretty cool right! There’s one in Pelling too but its location keeps changing. When we were there it was parked at the open ground opposite the Rural Artisan Marketing Centre. You can grab light bites such as egg rolls, chowmein, momos, and a cup of chai. The food is pretty decent (we recommend the egg rolls).

  

Food truck

(7) PLAY BADMINTON IN THE INDOOR COURT 

Yes, Pelling has its very own indoor badminton court. It’s pretty hard to miss the enormous metal building, which houses 2 courts inside. Get a hold of some badminton rackets and shuttlecocks (you have to get your own), and you can play all day long without having to pay a dime. 

Indoor badminton court

Distance: Pelling is 117 km from Gangtok (4.5 hours)

Transport: Take a shared jeep at Hungry Jack taxi stand

Cost: One-way ticket costs Rs. 300

Suggested read: 

Sauntering in Pelling

Gyalshing to Khecheopalri: The calling of the Lake.

Also by the writer: Every trail has a tale

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