Backpacking in India: Namchi, South Sikkim

I was a long time wish to visit Sikkim ... when it seemed like happening I started planning ... planning very grand! Destinations, hikes, food and so on. I booked tickets to Siliguri and was dreaming about the Mt Kanchendzonga. Next day morning, that is 18th September 2011, I was watching news ... and there was a massive earthquake which reduced the north Sikkim villages to piles of debris. I felt so deeply for the people of Sikkim and also was extremely heart-broken thinking about my trip. I had hopes that army would do something quickly and the roads would open soon ... I didn't cancel my tickets praying that the destruction is not as bad as the media-videos and things would be back to normal soon. I kept on checking the updates on travel forums ... the news wasn't good still I went ahead with the mindset ... if I could do sightseeing then I would, otherwise I offer to volunteer helping affected people!

I was on a shared jeep from Darjeeling to Namchi. I was watching the greenery, the mountains, the valleys and the river ... thinking about the phone-conversations with my parents. They were not happy about me visiting Sikkim soon after the earthquake. It was a real struggle convincing them ... if at all I were to die ... the chances of dying in an earthquake in Sikkim were far less than dying in Bangalore traffic!! A sharp turn on the road woke me up. The girl sitting beside me gave a sweet smile indicating that it was okay ... I had leaned against her completely throwing all my weight at the turn.

I reached Jorethang which is a major connecting center for shared taxis. From here you will get  transportation anywhere  in Sikkim. I got off at Jorethang and hopped into another shared taxi to Namchi.

Namchi, meaning sky high, is a District Headquarters of South Sikkim district. Big status, but didn't seem even 10% of Jayanagar 4th block. One or two hotels I checked weren't either very clean, or there was no water, or I saw few drunk guys playing cards at reception. For the first time in my journey I felt a bit uneasy ... will I find a place to stay here? The one I checked next was good, right in the middle of popular Namchi Bazaar. With great views and totally clean, spotless white bed-linens and bathroom for Rs.800 per night. They didn't charge me for the fantastic morning cardamom tea!! And politely refused the room-service tip!!

I went around the Namchi Bazaar ... Namchi Bazaar is a short street lined with shops and a beautiful fountain. There is nothing much to do in Namchi. There is no bus service. I had to hire a private taxi for Rs.500. I went to Samdruptse, a wish fulfilling hill,  which is 7Km from Namchi. There is a monastery and a 135ft tall statue of Guru Padmasabhava on the hilltop. The thick fog was all around and masked away all the views. But, it had its own beauty. A lone monk was praying. Other than him there wasn't anybody else.

The place is moth-lovers paradise. I found around 25 types and took pictures of exotic-looking ones. On a careful scouting around one may find many many more. I had never thought moths could be so beautiful! I will have separate post on this a little later.

Unfortunately, the very popular Char Dham was closed. They were preparing for the inauguration of newly constructed temple extensions. I hear the place is really beautiful and grand. Well, may be in the next visit. As an alternative, I visited the Sai Mandir in Asangthang. It was another surprise. I kept wondering how could these people of small villages build such grand, palace-like temples!?! One has to see it to believe!

You might also want to read other posts in the series ...Click Here:)