Mankhim view point…….The temple at Mankhim view point is at the
height of about 6500 ft and offers a wonderful scenic view of Aritar and
hills around it.The temple belongs to Rai community of Nepali origin.
The Nandi outside the temple and various tridents in the premises
suggest that the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva however the
Shivalinga inside temple is in different form than found in other parts
of country. Lord here is called Paruhang. Rai, mainly a community of
cultivators consider themselves children of Peruhung, who is supposed to
reside in Himalayas. Rai people in Sikkim gather here every year to
celebrate Sakewa, a festival celebrated for expressing gratitude towards
Mother Earth. Sakewa is also known as Bhumi pooja or Chandi pooja.
Prayers are offered for peace and protection of all living beings and
for rich crops and cultivation.
Temple at Mankhim view point.
Peruhang….inside temple. As it was annual festival time in the valley, we found many youngsters visiting temple in groups and pairs. youngsters clad in western outfits, different colored streaks in hair and half shaved head kind of hairstyles…. taking off their sports shoes and bowing before God with that expression of surrender and reverence….. somehow the sight felt very reassuring.
Nandi and Kalash in row outside temple.
Besides panoramic view of hills and mountains, from here we can also enjoy the beauty of Lampokhri lake and scenes around it.
and when the blues descend to embrace greens, the dreamscape created is so surreal, so inviting that you close your eyes, stretch your arms and are almost ready to be lost in oblivion…. Niravana kind of feel.
From up there, the view point, the terrace fields looked like wide spread poetry sheets, nurturing life in their womb.
A glimpse of Lampokhri lake from Mankhim view point. Without the emerald spread all other colours would look so static.
Later on we went down to Lampakhori lake. Annual cultural function and fair was going on at the ground near lake so many parked vehicles and an ongoing stream of people filled the area. However the Green placid lake surrounded by hills and trees promised that on quiet days the place would be worth spending some time in one’s own company. It’s not like that I don’t like humans or I like them less but I like nature more, There midst pathless woods I find a different kind of joy, sitting on a roadside rock, looking at the mist covered street dissolving in oblivion ,as if leads me to altogether different vistas and I love being there.
Lampakhori lake and the small temple on it’s bank.
A folk dance by seniors in the cultural fair.
A lady in her stall in fair with some handwoven stuff.
And the light of world, little girls in fair, enjoying their day out. Golgappa, pani batasha, pani-puri, fuchkas…. you may call it by different names in different parts of country but they definitely are high on ladies favourite list, whatever might the age be.
This Gumpa was quite close to our homestay.
Solitude is the language of these small places on Old silk route and ever smiling, hospitable locals add charm to one’s visit there.
Meet some people who made our Aritar stay more enjoyable—-
She is Pinchu. We met her on our way to Mankhim view point. To reach view point we need to climb a stretch of well laid stairs and on the way is Pinchu’s home, her shop. Her parents provide home stay facility too. While returning from view point we stopped at Pinchu’s shop for sizzling Wai- Wai and hot coffee. Pinchu made our stop over very enjoyable. Very smart girl she is and was handling the customers confidently, offcourse consulting her parents for cost of items etc. As her father was telling us about their homestay facilities and tourist agency at other places too, Pinchu took out his visiting card from the drawer in shop and handed over to us. Her perfect business woman kind of gesture made us laugh aloud. Nobody there even mentioned the visiting card there but she knew what should be done.
And he is Aryum, our homestay owner’s son. Kid with his young companion, Nasima, a girl of eight years filled our hours with pure joy and laughter, which you can enjoy only in the company of innocent kids only. Aryum and Nasima shared a beautiful relationship. Nasima proudly told us that she was a student of class third.
She is Aryum’s mom, owner of Shangey homestay. wonderfully efficient lady,. I saw her with amazement running on her toes from ground to second floor, attending all the guests with a charming smile, managing her staff, looking into problems of water, electricity supply and kitchen too.
And the aesthetically decorated dining space of Shangey homestay. We stayed at four or five homestays during this trip but Shangey homestay at Aritar is our most favourite one.
Reliving my memories feels like that rose pressed between the pages of a book, even after ages I can inhale the fragrance and feel fresh.
©All the pictures by— sunder iyer
Temple at Mankhim view point.
Peruhang….inside temple. As it was annual festival time in the valley, we found many youngsters visiting temple in groups and pairs. youngsters clad in western outfits, different colored streaks in hair and half shaved head kind of hairstyles…. taking off their sports shoes and bowing before God with that expression of surrender and reverence….. somehow the sight felt very reassuring.
Nandi and Kalash in row outside temple.
Besides panoramic view of hills and mountains, from here we can also enjoy the beauty of Lampokhri lake and scenes around it.
and when the blues descend to embrace greens, the dreamscape created is so surreal, so inviting that you close your eyes, stretch your arms and are almost ready to be lost in oblivion…. Niravana kind of feel.
From up there, the view point, the terrace fields looked like wide spread poetry sheets, nurturing life in their womb.
A glimpse of Lampokhri lake from Mankhim view point. Without the emerald spread all other colours would look so static.
Later on we went down to Lampakhori lake. Annual cultural function and fair was going on at the ground near lake so many parked vehicles and an ongoing stream of people filled the area. However the Green placid lake surrounded by hills and trees promised that on quiet days the place would be worth spending some time in one’s own company. It’s not like that I don’t like humans or I like them less but I like nature more, There midst pathless woods I find a different kind of joy, sitting on a roadside rock, looking at the mist covered street dissolving in oblivion ,as if leads me to altogether different vistas and I love being there.
Lampakhori lake and the small temple on it’s bank.
A folk dance by seniors in the cultural fair.
A lady in her stall in fair with some handwoven stuff.
And the light of world, little girls in fair, enjoying their day out. Golgappa, pani batasha, pani-puri, fuchkas…. you may call it by different names in different parts of country but they definitely are high on ladies favourite list, whatever might the age be.
This Gumpa was quite close to our homestay.
Solitude is the language of these small places on Old silk route and ever smiling, hospitable locals add charm to one’s visit there.
Meet some people who made our Aritar stay more enjoyable—-
She is Pinchu. We met her on our way to Mankhim view point. To reach view point we need to climb a stretch of well laid stairs and on the way is Pinchu’s home, her shop. Her parents provide home stay facility too. While returning from view point we stopped at Pinchu’s shop for sizzling Wai- Wai and hot coffee. Pinchu made our stop over very enjoyable. Very smart girl she is and was handling the customers confidently, offcourse consulting her parents for cost of items etc. As her father was telling us about their homestay facilities and tourist agency at other places too, Pinchu took out his visiting card from the drawer in shop and handed over to us. Her perfect business woman kind of gesture made us laugh aloud. Nobody there even mentioned the visiting card there but she knew what should be done.
And he is Aryum, our homestay owner’s son. Kid with his young companion, Nasima, a girl of eight years filled our hours with pure joy and laughter, which you can enjoy only in the company of innocent kids only. Aryum and Nasima shared a beautiful relationship. Nasima proudly told us that she was a student of class third.
She is Aryum’s mom, owner of Shangey homestay. wonderfully efficient lady,. I saw her with amazement running on her toes from ground to second floor, attending all the guests with a charming smile, managing her staff, looking into problems of water, electricity supply and kitchen too.
And the aesthetically decorated dining space of Shangey homestay. We stayed at four or five homestays during this trip but Shangey homestay at Aritar is our most favourite one.
Reliving my memories feels like that rose pressed between the pages of a book, even after ages I can inhale the fragrance and feel fresh.
©All the pictures by— sunder iyer
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