After a refreshing tour of Similipal during lockdown again we plan our next destination is Zuluk. For a long time, we did not go to the mountains so we were very excited. We started our journey on 2nd April night at 11.20 pm from Sealdah station to NJP. The train was on time, we reached 9.15 am, and we booked a car from the hotel in advance. We had left the station at 9.30 am and started our journey towards our first destination that was Sevokeshwari Kali Mandir – A famous and ancient temple near Siliguri. Sevokeshwari Kali Mandir or Sevoke Kali Mandir is a famous and ancient temple located near Coronation Bridge is about 23 KMs from Siliguri town. The Deity, Maa Kali, is highly believed to be extremely powerful and divine. When drivers and local people pass through the road in front of the temple, they stop here to pray and wish for a safe journey. The temple is enhanced by the scenic beauty of the area.
Then We reached at 2.30 pm in Sillery Gaon.
The name of the homestay is Nirmala. The homestay has consisted of 8 rooms. It’s a hamlet, a total of 45 families are living. The homestay is the common business of every family. Our lunch menu was rice, cereals, and egg. The weather of this area was amiable so the different types of the flower blossomed. We roaming around this small village and we spent a good quality time and enjoy nature’s beauty. After sunset, the weather of the hill station quite chills so we came back to our hotel.
We took some rest at our homestay, in the evening the place became cold, the strong wind blowing with it. Veg pakora and tea were evening snacks. Dinner was served at 8.30 pm and the menu was rice/roti and chicken. We feel very cold, the weather was extreme because the homestay is next to the mountain. All were very tired because of the journey so we had gone to early bed at night. The next day we waked up early in the morning, the weather of the place was cold and fresh. For our breakfast, we ate puri and sabzi.
Our next destination was rangli, we started our journey at 9AM. On the way to rangli we visited first Rishikhola.
Rishikhola :
Rishikhola also spelled as Reshi khola is an offbeat destination located along the Sikkim Border in the Kalimpong of West Bengal. It is flanked along the banks of a meandering river stream. Rishikhola is located at a distance of 36km from Kalimpong. Riverside camping is one of the favored tourist activities in Rishikhola. Surrounded by the lofty hills dotted with emerald green forest, Rishikhola act as the starting point for many astounding treks. From laid-back evening stroll to adventurous trek Rishikhola is the perfect place to experience it all.
Things To Do In Rishikhola
Endowed with rich flora and fauna, Rishikhola is a nature-bound destination. Here, visitors can spend some alone time in the lap of Mother Nature far from the hassle of daily life. Camping beside the gurgling River Reshi has attracted many adventurers and nature lovers towards Rishikhola.
BiswaBinayak temple:
our next destination was Biswabinayak temple. The architecture of the temple is amazing, the temple is very neat and clean. We spent some time and we left for the next place.
It was constructed on 3 October 2016. The four-storied temple stands 108 feet tall in a complex developed over a 2.56-acre plot. The mandir has been constructed on land where previously the Radha Krishna Mandir stood. Part of the land also belonged to a local resident, KB Adhikari. The temple will house 51 forms of Lord Ganesha, a first in the North East Region. While a lot of the construction material was imported from Thailand, expert artisans were brought in from Nepal and West Bengal for the construction. The main altar has a 12-foot tall statue of Lord Ganesha with 16 hands. It may be recalled that the chief minister had laid the foundation stone for the project on 20 April 2008 on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.
On the way, the beautiful monastery came but it’s closed due to a pandemic situation. We visited this type of monastery on the Sikkim tour.
Our next destination was Mankhim Temple.
Magnificent view of Mankhim Temple
A small village at Aritar, East Sikkim, 3 hours from New Jalpaiguri station, staying at the homestay, one can enjoy the spiritual beauty of Kanchenjanghafrom Mankhim temple. A nearby attraction is Aritarlake, which is a beautiful lake with a boating facility at Sikkim.
Panoramic view :
The temple of Mankhim is steeped in history as it belongs to the medieval Hindu cult known as Rai, which is believed to have originated in the Maity village. Upon visiting the temple, tourists can get an unhindered view of Mt. Kanchenjungha.
Mankhim is a rather better option than Aritar because of the magnificent Mt. Kanchenjunga. You can see a wide range of Hill which is very lofty. From here one can see the panoramic view of 7 hills.
Our Homestay is one of the best according to location. You can see Mt. Kanchenjunga from the bed also. Boot shape Aritar Lake is also a bird’s eye view from there. But this point is not comfortable for senior citizen persons due to stairs.
Aritarlake :
Aritar is a region in the East Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim under the Rongli Sub-Division. It is known for its natural and landscaped beauty. It is located on the edge of the Himalayas and can be reached in about four hours’ drive from Gangtok via either Pakyong or Rangpo.
Peaceful lake :
The Lampokhri Lake known as Aritar Lake is boot-shaped with an elevation of 4600 ft and surrounded by greenery. A concrete walk path builds around Lake so anyone can scroll easily. I didn’t find any boat for riding. You will see some fish in the lake, you can also feed them. A must-visit spot in East Sikkim, A Homestay is situated just opposite of lake. Some tea and fish feeding stalls are also there.
The entry fee of the Aritar lake is RS 30/-. We enjoyed our boating and clicked some photos of the surrounding in that place. We reached 2.30 pm at the Nirja resort. After having lunch we took some rest. In the evening we all walked around the place. The resort is very beautiful. Pokora and tea were cheered up our chitter-chatter.
Tour Summary :
Date – 02/04/2021-07/04/2021
Tour Members : 8
Kolkata to Simplipal Tour plan :
Day 1: Night: Train from Shealdah
Day 2: NJP to Sillarygoen, After lunch Explore the village. Night Stay: Sillarygoen
Day 3: Sillarygoen to Rongli. Sight Scene :
Day 4: Rongli to ZULUK
Day 5: Zuluk to Rongli
Day 6: Rongli to NJP. Night: Train from NJP
Day 7: Reached at Kolkata
Some more info :
Things to Do and Don’ts :-
1. Please carry Good camera with extra battery and good winter clothes.
2. Enjoy the beauty
Do not mess the Place with plastic bags.
Best time to visit: During August and September, Zuluk is drenched in a riot of colors of wildflowers. The whole region is covered in various wildflowers. From January to April Zuluk is covered in snow.
You can also visit our full album : Click here.
Sillery Gaon Location
Now its Your turn, what is your travel experiences on this place?
Thanks
Team Exploretours
My name is Supriya Kumar Mitra. It is the diary of the travel experiences of some passionate travelers. We are sharing our tour experience on this site. As the name Exploretours is a blog on everything that leads to travel. To us, a tour is not memory or images it’s connected to nature. This website is dedicated to those who love to travel.
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