Ravangala

Pronounced Rabongla, Ravangala is a picturesque town in West Sikkim located on a ridge between Maenam Hill and Tendong, with a useful market. There are glorious views of Mount Narsing on the offering from Ravangala, and also dazzling landscapes with snow capped peaks. Plentiful accommodation options are available in Ravangala.

Important places in and near Ravangala are Mane Choekhorling Gompa; Buddha Park (Sakyamuni Complex) with a huge statue of Buddha in a lovely garden; a local carpet centre in the Tibetan refugee camp to buy reasonably priced fine carpets; and Ralang Monastery, which houses around 200 monks is a lookalike of the more famous Rumtek Gompa. Nearby is the Old Ralang Gompa, established in 1768.

Another offbeat site is just 5 km away from Ravangala, the Yangdrung Kundrakling, which is the only Bon Monastery in Sikkim. It is significant to know that Bon faith is believed to be older than Buddhism. The statues in this Bon monastery are different than in other monasteries of Sikkim.

Ravangla hosts the annual three-day Pang Lhabsol festival in August, which worships Kanchenjunga and draws thousands of Sikkimese to enjoy traditional sports. Chaam dance is also held, the festival of masked dances unique to this place, performed not by monks, but by locals.