Rinchenpong

Summary

Rinchenpong is a town in West Sikkim, India. It is situated in West Sikkim, about 123 km west of Gangtok, 47 km due south of Gyalshing, close to the village of Kaluk. It sits at an altitude of 5576 feet (1,700m). It is known for the Reesum Monastery and trekking routes.

Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong
Town
Rinchenpong is located in Sikkim
Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong
Location in Sikkim, India
Rinchenpong is located in India
Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong (India)
Coordinates: 27°14′32″N 88°16′15″E / 27.242192°N 88.270916°E / 27.242192; 88.270916
Country India
StateSikkim
DistrictWest Sikkim
Government
 • TypeDemocratic
 • BodySKM
Languages
 • OfficialNepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Limbu, Newari, Rai, Gurung, Mangar, Sherpa, Tamang and Sunwar
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationSK

Near the town is the site of a historical battle between the forces of the then Chogyal (King) of Sikkim and the invading British forces. The Lepcha tribesmen used a concoction of unidentified herbs to poison the only water source, a lake (local term : pokhri). As a result, more than half of the British forces were killed, which stopped the British invasion and resulted in an accord. The lake remains poisoned even to this day and is known as bikh-pokhri locally (poisoned lake).

Mt. Kanchanjunga (Kangchendzonga), the third highest peak of the world and the second highest peak of India, as seen from Rinchenpong, Geyzing subdivision, West Sikkim district, Sikkim, East India on 7 May 2017.
Mt. Kanchanjunga (Kangchendzonga), the third highest mountain peak of the world and the second highest mountain peak of India, as seen from Rinchenpong, Geyzing subdivision, West Sikkim district, Sikkim, East India on 7 May 2017.

The region's local language is Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia, Hindi and English. The area's height is 5576 ft., and postcode is 737111.

External links edit

  • Travel article on Rinchenpong by Rangan Datta