Legship is the gateway to West Sikkim. It is located on the bank of River Rangeet and falls in the way of the routes to many leading cities in Sikkim. Typical of small towns in Sikkim, it is rich in natural beauty, opportunities for adventure sports and treks, and also surrounded by sights that attract travelers in massive numbers.
The spiritual and religious importance of the town, combined with its prime location and access, makes it a great stop or a short break for any traveler.
What to see
Legship is best known for some of its famous attractions like the Rangeet Dam, and the Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple.
Rangeet Dam
The Rangeet dam is located on the Rangeet River, which is a branch of the Teesta river. The catchment area of the dam is 979 sq km. The Rangeet Water World is built on the reservoir of the Rangeet Dam. It has a paid entry and is open on all days of the week. Those who are looking for an adventurous break must visit this place while there. It makes for a great attraction for children and adults.
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple
This is an ancient temple devoted to Lord Shiva. It is a Hindu pilgrimage site. It is one of the oldest temples in Sikkim. The temple finds mention in the epic Mahabharat. Arjun, the warrior prince, is mentioned as having done severe suffering at this spot. Pleased with his suffering, Mahadeva appeared in the form of a hunter of “Kirat” and tested Arjun’s warrior skills. Arjun finally accepted defeat and it is here that Mahadev gave him the divine weapon of “Pashupatastra”. The temple has a self-manifested Shiva linga as the main deity. The temple also houses deities of Devi Durga and Lord Ram. It draws a large number of devotees every year. It is also famous for the Bala Chaturdashi festival, which takes place between November to December every year. Shiva Ratri, which falls in the month of February or March, is also a crowd-puller. It is located in a quiet spot amidst the mountains, making it the ideal place for meditation. It has a deeply spiritual ambiance, and even the non-religious traveler will find this temple worth a visit.
Phu Cha Chu Sulfurous Hot Springs
These are sulfurous hot springs, which are well known for their therapeutic properties. Located amidst dense green forests, the hot springs form a natural water pool. The arrangement of the surrounding rocks makes this a naturally formed bath, which can accommodate several people. Legend says during the 7th century, Guru Padmasambhava meditated at the same spot. This adds to the spiritual sanctity of the place. Overlooking the Rangeet river, these hot springs are a unique feature of the topography of the Himalayas in Sikkim.
Lho Khando Sang Pho
Lho Khando Sang Pho is sacrosanct caves in the Himalayas, where the revered Guru Rempoche meditated in the 8th century. These are surrounded by Nub Dechenphu, Chyang Lhari Ngingphu, and Sharcho Phephu, in other directions. They carry religious importance for Buddhists and see a huge amount of visitants. This is the most appropriate place to spend some time in the Himalayan forest and caves and be in a meditative space. The sounds of the flowing Rangeet river, the pine trees all around, and the quiet of the caves make these a natural silent retreat.
When to reach
Winter between October To February
Spanning over four months, winter in Legship makes it more beautiful. It is too cold in this season and the temperature dips as low as 1°C. So you are advised to carry heavy woolens to keep yourself warm. The winter is at its peak during December and January.
Summer between May To June
The summer in Legship starts from March and ends by the end of May with temperatures going as high as 32°C. It gets quite warm during summer but it is admissible. It is a perfect season to enjoy sightseeing and other outdoor activities like water sports in Legship. That is the reason it attracts many tourists during this season.
Monsoon between July To September
Legship receives heavy rainfall during the month of August in comparison to other monsoon months. The temperature remains pleasant but due to rain one can’t enjoy sightseeing tours and outdoor activities. Rain causes disruptions in traveling from one destination to other and hence it is not a great idea to visit Legship in monsoon.
How to reach
By Air
Legship is 107 km from Gangtok and the most convenient way to reach Legship is to first come to Gangtok and then from there drive down to Legship. Gangtok is the nearest town of Sikkim from Pakyong Airport, located in Pakyong village which is around 35 km from the south of Gangtok.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Legship is the New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri, West Bengal. It is around 112 kilometers from Legship. The railway station is well linked to the major cities of the country like Kolkata and New Delhi. From the railway station, you can easily get a taxi or cab for Gangtok and then Legship.
By Road
Legship is easily accessible by road from the major cities of India and almost all the places in Sikkim. It is around 15 km from Geyzing and 107 km from Gangtok. The most convenient way to reach Legship is to first come to Gangtok and then from there drive down to Legship. You can hire a private taxi or a shared one to reach there. State-run buses are also available.
Geyzing is well connected with cities like Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Gangtok. Private and shared taxis are easily available. Buses are also available from places like Siliguri, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Pelling, Tashiding, Yuksom, etc.
