Located between Pelling and Gangtok, Ravangla is one of the popular stops in South Sikkim. It is a small town not meant to be a tourist place, where you can slow down the pace of your life, and relax your spirits in nature. Ravangla also named Rabongla by many locals is located at an altitude of 7000 feet. Though the main streets are not best located for giving beautiful views of the Himalayas, treks starting in Ravangla are a great way to dip in the beauty of the mountains.
Travelers wanting to go off-beat track often choose Ravangla as their base, from where they can travel to other towns in Sikkim. Ravangla is a unique town, with a variable range of flora & fauna, small villages surrounding the main town where you can see the local lifestyle, splendid views, old monasteries, and cultural celebrations. The traditional festivals are celebrated here with a lot of enthusiasm and are a pleasure for any traveler whether Indian or foreign.
What to see
Ravangla, though a small town, is perfectly equipped to capture the imagination of a traveler. At short distances from the main town, there are monasteries and other places of interest. The short journey to local sights is just as beautiful as the sights themselves.
Buddha Park
On the 2550th birth anniversary of Buddha, the Buddha Park in Ravangla was inaugurated by the Sikkim government with the support of locals. The sprawling Buddha Park also known as Tathagata Tsal at Ravangla with a colossal statue of Gautama Buddha is pretty as a postcard. Built-in an endeavor to promote religious tourism in the state, it was sanctified by the Dalai Lama himself in 2013.
Bon Monastery
The Bon Monastery or Bon Yung Dung Monastery is located in Kewzing, a short way from Ravangla. One of the two monasteries in India belonging to the Bon order of Buddhism, this monastery was built by Yung Dung Tsultrim in 1980. It is an institute of learning Bon teachings, with provisions for less privileged students as well. It displays some of the artifacts of Buddhists, paintings, Buddha deities, and gives a glimpse of the daily routine of the young monks of the Bon order.
Ralang Monastery
This is a unique monastery in Sikkim. It is unlike other monasteries in many ways. It has a stark symmetry of form, combined with brilliant execution in construction. Another uniqueness is that this monastery is accessible only via trekking. Located at 13km from Ravangla, it is a symbol of the opulence of Buddhists, built around a legend.
As per legend, upon return of the 4th Chogyal (king) of Sikkim, the Karmapa sprinkled a few rice grains of blessings in Tibet, some of which fell at the site of the current monastery. Thus, the monastery was built here.
The monastery organizes an annual cultural festival called Pang Lhabsol in the month of August. It’s a unique spectacle that tells the Buddhist traditions in all their glory and celebration. To see the festival, please enquire about the duration of the festival before arriving.
Ralong Hot Spring
Popularly known as “Ralong Cha Chu” locally, these are natural hot springs near Ravangla. Considered to be natural saunas, these are pools of warm sulfurous water that have healing powers. Located near some of the holy caves, they also carry religious significance. This is a nice spot to trek around and spend some time. They are best visited between March-May when the weather is pleasant.
When to reach
Winter between October To February
Winter season witness extreme cold in Ravangala and the temperature drops down to sub-zero level. It is cold during the day and quite cold at night. Although it is cold in winter, it is fun to explore Ravangla during this time. You are advised to carry heavy woolens.
Summer between March To June
Summer season experiences a moderate climate in Ravangla and the temperature ranges between 15 °C to 25 °C. Sometimes, Ravangla experiences rain in summer.
Monsoon between July To September
In the monsoon months Ravangla witnesses an average rainfall of around 300 cm. Sometimes heavy rains are accompanied by strong winds. The temperature ranges between 12°C to 17°C.
How to reach
By Air
Ravangla is 68 km from Gangtok and the most convenient way to reach Ravangla is to first come to Gangtok and then from there drive down to Ravangla. The airport is located in Pakyong village which is around 35 km from the south of Gangtok. It is the first airport of Sikkim located at an altitude of 4,590 feet and is one of the highest altitude airports in India.
By Train
The nearest railway station from Ravangla is the New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri, West Bengal. It is around 122 kilometers from Ravangla. The railway station is well connected with major cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. From New Jalpaiguri, you can easily get a private taxi to Gangtok and then Ravangla.
By Road
A good network of roads connects Ravangla with the major cities of Sikkim and other destinations of northeast India. One can easily reach Ravangla from the neighboring places by road. Rented taxis and state-run buses are easily available to reach Ravangla.
