Sikkim Feature

Sikkim Places

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Chungthang is a town which is situated in North Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is situated at the convergence of two rivers: Lachen River and Lachung River, both are tributaries of the River Teesta. Chungthang is located a distance of 95 kilometres from the capital Gangtok.

Chungthang is bestowed with natural architecture and beauty. Chungthang is the starting point of River Teesta, well-known for white water rafting. This place is a center for adventure sports. Travellers come here to take mountaineering, and rappelling courses. Chungthang is said to be blessed by Guru Rimpoche in the days of yore. The Indian army has a major forward base in the town including a medical centre.

Chungthang is a nice place, which is inhabited mostly by the Lepchas. This small hamlet has a rich variety of flora, including rare orchids. Chungthang has not something extraordinary, but the beauty of this place allures people to take a halt before moving towards Lachung or Lachen.

According to a legend, Guru Padmasambhabwa (Buddhist Guru) visited the town before going to Tibet and left his footprint on a rock where he once rested. Some paddy is grown around the rock, which is believed to be a miracle as paddy does not grow in these conditions. Local people earned their livelihood on these paddy fields until the Army was deployed there.

It is believed Guru Nanak Dev ji visited this place during his trip (Udasi) to China and Tibet. Guru Nanak visited the place during his third udasi in order to support the Karma pa Nying ma pa sect then being hounded out from Tibet by the Ge lug pa sect. An amrit kund was also made to appear there by Guru ji. Guru Nanak Dev ji dug his walking stick at a place where finally the stick has grown into a tree which has trunk in stick shape and leaves are below the rounded trunk which looks like handle of stick.

It is also said that Guru Nanak, on one of his journeys along with his devotees, had come across this place and defeated two devils here before proceeding. The footprints of that battle were supposed to be still left on that cordoned off rock. It is also said that Chungthang derived from the Punjabi, “Changa sthan” or good place, which Guru Nanak had bestowed on it

Most of the residents of the town are Lepcha. Chungthang is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of orchids, plants and animals found here.

By Rail
There is no Railway in Sikkim. The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri which is 230 kilometers from Chungthang. NJP is well connected with all major cities in India. At Gangtok, railway bookings can be made at the booking counter of the Sikkim Nationalized Transport Terminus.

By Road
Chungthang is linked with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri. It is 95 kilometers drive from Gangtok. The Sikkim Nationalized Transport plies regular bus services between Gangtok and Siliguri, Darjeeling and within Sikkim. Private buses, taxis and jeeps are also available from Siliguri & Bagdogra. Gangtok is at a distance of 120 kilometers from Siliguri and will take 4 hours from Siliguri to reach Gangtok. Gangtok is connected by road with Darjeeling 95 kilometers (4 hours), Kalimpong 75 kilometers, Nepal 155 kilometers (4 hours) and with Bhutan, Phuntsholing 220 kilometers (6 hours)

By Air
Chungthang is 225 kilometers from Bagdogra. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, which is 125 kilometers from Gangtok and connected with all important Indian metros with regular flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, etc. A helicopter / Chopper service to Gangtok from Siliguri and back is a regular service. Mountain flights and other such tours to North Sikkim are also conducted.