Sikkim- Rhenock to Nathu La Pass

Nathu La Pass

 
Nathu La Pass is in the Dongkya range of the Himalayas and has a history of strategic importance because of its location on the old silk route. It is at a height of 14200 ft. It was closed after the 1962 war between India and China, and was reopened for trade on 5th July, 2006. During my short visit to East Sikkim, it was nothing less than a dream come true adventure for me when I visited it on 2nd Nov 2022. The sentiment of the people looking at the Chinese side was tinged with patriotic fervour. All kinds of patriotic slogans could be heard.

At Nathu La pass

The drive to Nathu La pass was the most mesmerizing one - giving the feeling of approaching the Kanchenjunga at every turn. The beauty of the breathtaking magnificence of Kanchenjunga is  entrenched in my memory.

Kanchenjunga - as seen while driving up t0 the Nathu La pass.

On the way, we stopped at the world's highest golf course - Yak golf course - courtesy Indian army. The picturesque Yak golf course has a mystic beauty. There I felt as if the angels were in the air. I am not a golfer but I did try my hand at it and it was like being on cloud nine.

Yak Golf Course - the highest golf course of the world

After that, before visiting the Nathu La pass, we payed our tribute to Baba Harbhajan Singh at his temple. We were told that people didn't proceed further without taking 'prasad' from the temple. The stop at Baba Harbhajan Singh memorial temple was an unexpected and unique one. I was amazed with myself because the only prayer that came forth from the heart there was only for the troops protecting that area. It is located between Nathu La and Jalepla pass at an altitude of 13,123 ft. The legacy attached to the temple made everyone bow down in respect. Baba Harbhajan was himself a soldier once and died while on duty in that area. It is believed that in that inhospitable high altitude area, his spirit protects every soldier.

View of Baba Harbhajan Singh's temple

This beautiful journey started from Rhenock where I stayed with my army friends. The stay at the Eco Log Hut Resort at Aritar in Rhenock was the starting of the beautiful journey that lay ahead. We had a beautiful reunion. Its memory will rejuvenate me for years to come. The evening we landed there was no less than what lay ahead. The fresh air and the untouched beauty of the eastern Himalayas of Sikkim was the best place to witness the scenic beauty of the sunset and the rising moon.

The moon and the setting sun

The morning was even better. How could I stop myself from doing Surya namaskar  - felt like bowing down to the energy of the sun in the morning.

The picnic on the Teesta river, a day before I got a chance to visit the Nathu La pass, was no less joyful and invigorating.

Teesta river - border of two states - Sikkim behind me and West Bengal in front of me

While coming back from the Nathu La pass, we didn’t halt anywhere as the clouds were descending and soon they would engulf the road with 52 twists and turns. With every turn we said goodbye to the pristine beauty of East Sikkim - a place worth visiting.