In 1937, Geoffrey Gorer and John Morris, the two British anthropologists studied this village and published two book titled "Himalayan Village" and "Living with the Lepchas".
The people of Dzongu are the best thing about the whole trip, and it’s difficult to house the best from the list of very goods.
The fresh air, the great food, the serenity and peace that this place gives you and a lot of other things.” an amazing and wonderful experience, surrounded by pristine beauty and the contrasting sound of water an experience in itself.
The monastery and sheda the people their hospitality of the family is surely uncomparable to that of the city, and it is sure enough to leave you with warm and wonderful memories of the Land called Dzongu the Lepcha call it the’Ney Mayel Lyang’ which is situated in North Sikkim, situated only 8-10kms below Mangan, along the river Teesta.
Dzongu(pronounced as zongu) is Protected by the ‘The Royal Proclamation of August 30, 1956’ that declared the entire Dzongu as “special reserve”, a valid law still protected under Article 371 F of the Indian Constitution.
Dzongu lies approximately 70 kms north-west of Gangtok, between an elevation ranging between 800m and 6, 000m above sea level, and boasts of panoramic views of Mount Khangchendzonga(8, 585 m), the third highest summit in the world and the protective deity of Sikkim, and has a particularly rich fauna and flora that is endemic to the area.
This territory has been reserved for the Lepcha community and borders the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. From the capital Gangtok, it’s a three hour drive and can also be approached directly from Siliguri(West Bengal) via Singtam and takes around 5 hours(153 kms).
Bagdogra in North Bengal is the nearest Airport, while New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station. Sikkim’s revered Tholung Monastery is also situated in Dzongu, and was built during the first visit of Guru Lhastsun Chempo, and believed to be build by spirits.
This monastery is surrounded by hot springs and sacred caves in North and it houses some of the rarest dharma treasures including relics and belongings of the Mahaguru Padmasambhava, Khandro Yeshi Chogyal and Gyalwa Lhatsun Chhenpo Namkha Jigme.
Apart from this, the Monastery also preserved till day a self-appearing image of the Mahaguru. . A little above this world renowned Monastery is the most holy Kagey Lha-Tso or the Lake Kishong, one of the abodes of the Mahaguru as mentioned in the sacred Neyig scripture. At the base of the Tholung Monastery in Dzongu are the sacred Zhutol Phug and Wosel Phug which were consecrated by the Mahaguru Himself.
The Ling-ney-tsu of Dzongu houses some of more such sacred sites as mentioned in the Neyig scripture, e.g. Tso Melong, etc. The annual naysol and Pang Lhabsol rituals are important ceremonies performed in the Sikkimese Monasteries to propitiate and honour all the above mentioned sacred sites, deities, etc alongwith others.
This specific prayer is conducted by the monks and bongthings(the Lepcha priests) according to their most intricately appointed specifications, established since long. I had an opportunity to visit Dzongu recently along with some of my college buddies and we all very much impressed by the land, the terrain, the people their culture, their everyday life.
Infact our whole trip was a big WOW! I was just missing out on so many aspects of life which was highly compensated by my trip which was organized by one of my friends Tour & Treks called Young Mountains Tours and Treks. We were welcomed to the Land of the Lepchas, Dzongu Sikkim. A place where we booked into some of the simplest homestays.
The Homestay experience was complete with the best of Lepcha hospitality and cultural traditions with tropical mountain forests and spectacular mountain scenery. We dwelled into their daily lives and surely enjoyed wonderful walks, and treks, fishing and many other activities.Legends says that the spirits of Lepchas reach the Mayel Lyang and local communities are full of stories of people taking rebirth after this experience We trekd to Lingthem village, famous for its spectacular views of the Khangchendzonga Range.
The walk uphill was strenuous but as one treads higher into the temperate region, views emerge out of the hidden mountains, mesmerizing the onlooker by the beauty nature had to offer. Walking through the countryside, we cross terraced paddy fields and cardamom forest. We enjoyed the traditional Lepcha lifestyle and the spectacular mountain views of Khangchendzonga.
The charming village of Tingvong, which is located on a small hillock overlooking the yawning valleys and sun-kissed mountains of Dzongu. Crystal-clear streams flow through the village. It is surrounded by terraced fields of mustard flowers, millets and vegetables. I should also add that the facilities that they provided though was of the basic minimum, and as a guest we were provided with:
A clean comfortable room with electricity or candle. Sleeping arrangements with clean bed sheets Traditional(Lepcha) local meals served in a homely style with boiled drinking water A clean bathroom with attached toilet We were further given some cultural shows by the young Lepcha kids who were with their smiles and were all so nice.
The trip was so different for my friends, as they did not have to stay in any hotel, but intermingled into some of the Lepcha family, knowing and understanding their way of life. They all really enjoyed the trip and yes made a lot of friends too. So guys why dont you all try something different? and try this trip out. I say it would be worth it, with serenity and peace all around you.