Pelling itself
consists of little more than a
road junction,
helicopter pad and a concrete
strip
of numerous
hotels, creating the
"
Bengali Boulevard ". But most of
this development is hidden by forested
slopes
and Pelling offers numerous attractive
walks
and
hotel terraces from where one can gaze in
awe at the world's
third highest peak - Mt. Kanchenjunga. Pelling is an ideal
getaway for tourists as its vicinity has
numerous
waterfalls, soft
trek
routes,
villages
and a soothing atmosphere.
The
Pemayangtse monastery, (Pemayangtse
meaning 'Perfect
Sublime Lotus'), the
oldest monastery in
Sikkim belonging to
Nyingmapa sect, is head of all other monasteries of the sect in
Sikkim
. The three-storied building
houses a good collection of
wall paintings
and
sculptures and a seven-tiered painted
wooden model of
Guru Rimpoche's
abode, complete with rainbows, angels, Buddha and
Bodhisattva. In
Jan/ Feb
every year, a religious dance called
'Cham' is performed in
Pemayangtse. Other places to visit nearby are
Sangachoeling Monastery,
Khecheopalri Lake and
Sangay Waterfall.
