Entering Sikkim with a view of River
Theesta itself was unique. It was as if someone is in progress of painting the
surroundings while dipping the colored brush into this river water. The unique
GREEN was a mind blowing view with the massive river flowing, taking turns and gushing into
the mountains.
There were beautiful green valleys and lucky are the people living in such valleys with a neatly built home with a garden. Every small house also had a beautiful garden with colorful flowers. We were able to witness few places that was the border of China and Bhutan shared with Sikkim.
Zuluk or the old silk route was the main highlight of
our trip, the stretch to reach the Thambi point and enroute to reach the last part at Lungthung we had to go through the 32 hairpin turns, This is one of the unique
engineering feat located at around 10,000 ft. above sea level. It was astonishing as to how the roads were connected in the valley on number of hills with numerous hairpin bends!
Since it is a border we
had a common scene of our Military folks and there was an Indian Army base at
the valley, Trade linkages between British India and Tibet through the passes
of Sikkim dates back to the late 18th Century as per the history. The adventurous
Younghosband Mission launched from Sikkim with a military escort during 1903-04
accomplished it’s task in reaching Lhasa through the famous Old Silk Route
thereby leading to 1904 Convention that firmed up Anglo-Tibet trade
Military base camps were the usual scene
and was common to see them. It got dark at 5.30pm and during an evening stroll
we heard someone speaking in Kannada. We were excited and asked them their
details about how they are living in such an altudte and it was amazing to
listen to their stories on their food habits and other regular work they do!
We left from the stay at 4am and we all were shivering in the biting cold weather though completely covered. It could have been about -8 deg C to visit another great attraction of Zuluk that is called Eagle’s Nest Bunker where one can get a
360 degree view of the whole range of Mt. Kanchenjungha, West Bhutan, plains of
Bengal, China, Tibet. There was also a place called Thambi View Point at 11,200 feet. It is heard that the Thambi was the brain behind this engineering hairpin routes of this stretch. The glittering
rays of the rising sun kisses the snow clad peak of Mt. Kanchenjungha, which
slowly turns crimson and then golden and finally silver. It was a spectacular view from the Eagles Nest Bunker of K2 range.
Also people there believe a lot of Baba Harbajan
who sacrificed his life during the landslides and other nature’s fury in the 2
states of Sikkim and West Bengal. It was pleasant to see various photos in the
temple along with Baba Harbhajan’s photo too. All the Militiray folks and the the
locals believe and have a great respect to Baba who had once upon a time sacrificed
his life to save few villages! Interesting stories and the soothing bhajans were
inducing peace to anyone visited or around there. From there were reached Kupup lake that was half frozen and it was biting weather.
The Kupup Lake is locally called Bitan Cho as well, it is supposed to be one of the
most sacred lakes of Sikkim, with high mountains and valleys bordering it.
Owing to its resemblance to elephant, Kupup Lake is also known as Elephant Lake.
The Aritar Lake (Ghati-Tso) is another nearby
attraction, The view from the top was splendid with the Mt. Kanchenjunga and
Aritar lake as well.
We then left to Reshi Kola that is
a beautiful valley and the river flowing between the beautiful
valley surrounded with a river flowing in between.
While staying at Nathang one can cover Padamchen, Genmochen, Thambi View Point, Kupup Lake.
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