Rabdentse-the ancient capital of Sikkim

Author: Arup Chowdhury

Pelling is a town in the district of West Sikkim, India. Pelling is nestled at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,200 feet). The town is located at a distance of 10 km from the district headquarters of Geyzing . Pelling is famous for the majestic view of the magnificent Mount Kanchenjangha. It also affords a panoramic view of other snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Most of the people of Pelling are Buddhists and speak the Sikkimese language. Other languages spoken are Nepali, Hindi, and English. Pelling is famous for the majestic view of the magnificent Mount Kanchenjangha. It also affords a panoramic view of other snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Apart from the magnificent view of Mount Kanchenjangha , Buddhist Gompa, one of the main attractions of Pelling is Rabdentse-the ruins of second capital of Sikkim. The ruins of Rabdentse are worth exploring. The winding track through the forest lead to a small set of ruins of the early town and eventually on the ruins of the palace with Chortens. This monument has been declared as of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Travelogue: On a chilly wintertime in December, I visited this panoramic Pelling. Though there are a number of places of interest to visit, I choose Rabdentse to explore first as for my old love to historical ruins. Very early morning I started from hotel in a car, after a few minutes, I reached the place, Kunal, the driver told me that from there I have to walk a bit of 10 minutes to reach the Ruins of the palace amidst of dense forest. As I started my journey through a jungle trail amidst of a foggy ambiance with sweet tones of many unseen birds, it‘s really a overwhelming experience.
After a few minutes of walk, I reached to a place, so called bird-park.A nice place to sit a while, enjoy the bird’s music near to a small lake.

As it was very early morning, no other tourists were around there and I can enjoy the lonely silence and bird’s song only with nature, it’s really a wonderful feeling indeed. Then I started again the journey towards the Palace ruins. Though I have heard that there is a splendid view of Mount Kanchenjungha can be visible from this place in a clear day, but I guess today the fog won’t let me see it. I continued my steps for about 10 more minutes, very slowly, enjoying every little details of the place, gradually I reached the place. The first thing can be seen is a Chorten [a stupa] . There is a signboard stating in brief the history of the place.

Tensung Namgyal, the second Chogyal of Sikkim shifted the capital of Sikkim from Yuksom to Rabdentse in late 17th century A.D. It was the second capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814. The ruins of this ancient capital are surrounded by rubble fortification, scattered over a conspicuous spur within a thickly forested valley. The sector to the North constitutes the palace complex whereas the Southern one was the religious complex probably meant for the common people, in another opinion, on this southern wing, common people were given an audience by the king, which is obvious from the stone throne seen here. The main Northern settlement which lies on the highest portion of the spur is divided into 2 sectors by a dividing wall. The 3 Chortens fronted by a stone paved open floor and attached double storied were for the religious pursuits of the royal family, the Royal family used to offer prayers with incense to their deities here. The religious Southern complex constitutes a throne and chorten on a raised platform.

Spending more than an hour in no time, one like to sit in a chair an recapitulate the whole experience, it will be a great to relax and relish the history in silence. The colorful flowers in gardens only there to make feel that we are in modern days. Anyone, who love nature and history, it’s a perfect place to blend those two different tastes.

Route map: Pelling is 115 km from the state capital Gangtok and about 135 km from Siliguri, the nearest railhead is Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri and airport is Bagdogra. Regular jeeps connect Pelling directly from the towns Siliguri and Gangtok. Pelling can be reached also by shared jeep from town Jorethang , Namchi or Ravongla. Rabdentse ruins is just at 3 KM. distance from Pelling helipad ground. Famous Pemyangtse Monastery is very adjacent to it.

Hotels in Peling : There are a number of hotels there, but for better view of Mt. kanchenjungha, people should chose upper Pelling hotels near helipad ground.

Hotel Simvo +919733011761, 9830128779
Hotel Tashi Delek +919051543652
Arup Chowdhury
Mob: +91 9831594205