Inaugurated in 2011, the Siddhesvara Dhaam is a unique pilgrimage tourism venture of the Sikkim Government developed as “Pilgrim cum Cultural Centre” having a 87 feet statue of Lord Shiva and replicas of four Dhaams of India at one place at Solophok hilltop in Namchi. Char Dham, the four most revered Dhams of the Hindus have been replicated in this fantastic complex to benefit the devotees and tourists.
The Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, was constructed between 2006 and 2013 and features a 130-foot high statue of the Buddha as its centerpiece. The site was chosen within the larger religious complex of the Rabong Gompa (Monastery), itself a centuries-old place of pilgrimage. The Buddha Park of Ravangla is situated near Rabong. It is home to a Buddhist circuit and a statue of Lord Buddha.
Statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the patron saint of Sikkim. The statue in Samdrumptse is the tallest statue of the saint in the world at at 118 feet of the Buddhist Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling well) opposite Namchi. It was completed in February 2004. It is also said that the Samdruptse hill is actually a dormant volcano. Myths say that the buddhist monks have been going on top of the hill and offering prayers to the volcano to keep it calm. There is also a Rock Garden just few kilometers up from the town on the way to Samdruptse.
Is located about 12 km up from Ravangla which can be visited on foot. A traditional meditation site for the monks, it is also a vantage location for spectacular view of the mountains at sunrise. The trek takes 2.5 to 4 hrs and winds through a thick forest of oak, chestnut, magnolia and rhododendron trees. The forest is a riot of colours during spring (March/April). A natural habitat of the red panda, Himalayan black bear and many species of deer, this area is designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary.
Trek starts with a 13 km drive to Damthang & 2.5 hrs trek. Tendong peak (8500ft) offers a spectacular 360 degree view of Sikkim & the distant plains of North Bengal.
Tashiding, located 39 km away from Ravangla, literally means the ‘Central Elevated Glory’. Built in 1716 AD, it is the most sacred monastery complex in Sikkim and hosts the annual ‘Bumchu’ festival during which the barrel containing holy water is opened and the level of water foretells the year lays ahead.
Mangbrue Gompa & view point is located 8 km above Kewzing, the Mangbrue Gompa is also an excellent view point of the mountains and hills.
Cha-chu or hot sulphur springs at Ralang & Borong are traditional winter spas where visitors spend a week or more soaking in these springs that have medicinal properties. Ralang Cha-chu can be reached after a 1 hr downhill walk to the Rangit valley from the Ralang monastery. Borong Cha-chu is a 7 km drive from Ralang and a further 45-minute downhill walk. Both these hot springs are located along the banks of the Rangit River.
The Ralong Monasteries is a group of two monasteries, situated 13 km away from the town of Ravangla. These monasteries follow the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. The older monastery was established in 1768 AD and the new monastery, known as the Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute, was built by the XII Gyaltsab Rinpoche, in 1995. According to a legend, the 9th Karmapa, who was the head of the Kagyupa sect, blessed this monastery with grains of rice thrown from Tibet.
Ralang hot spring is situated at a distance of 26 kms from Ravangla. The monastery on the way holds the famous Kagiang festival in December.
Temi is the only tea state of Sikkim. At a distance of only 16 km from Ravangla, it is one of the most beautifully located tea garden of Sikkim. The journey through the winding road via Dentham is even more attractive. A 9 km trek from Dentham through the Tendon sanctuary goes to a dormant volcano, an unforgettable place to view Kanchenjunga and Singalila range in the west and vast plane lands in the south. Even Pelling in West Sikkim and Siliguri town is visible from the view point of Tendong. Temi tea carries a premium the world over and is marked by its exotic odour and flavour. This tea garden was established in 1960s by the Sikkim Government, under the last king of Sikkim.
At a distance of 8 km from Ravangla on the road to Damthang is the viewpoint that offers spectacular view of the sunrise, as the first few rays sun lightens up the snowy peaks of Mt. Narsing, Jopuno, Kabur, Rathong and Pandim.
