Aritar is worth visiting destination, whether you may paddle boat around the lake, or take a hike up to Phusrey Lake, visit surrounding hills or just make a plan to trek to Rachela, which is about 6 hours from Aritar. You can enjoy the scenic trees on the way, jungle orchids, splendid giant mountains of Bhutan and Bengal and the overwhelming feeling takes over you as you take the last step towards the Rachela, where the red rhododendrons bloom here like nowhere else.
- History of Aritar
- Annual Aritar-Lampokhari Festival
- Places of Interests
- How to reach Aritar-Lampokhari?
- Contact Information
History of Aritar
Aritar gained its significance with the signing of Indo-Tibet trade convention in 1904. This convention, under the leadership of Lord Younghusband resolved to establish a trade mart at Yatung on the Tibetan side of the frontier.However, the task was no bed of roses, when the Britishers started building roads in Sikkim, it was suspicion for Tibet and in 1886, some Tibetan militia occupied Lingtu in Sikkim near Jelepla pass. In May 1888, the Tibetans attacked Gnathang below Jelepla but were driven away. In September of the same year the British called for reinforcements and the Tibetans were pushed back from Lingtu. A memorial was built at Gnathang for the few British soldiers who died in the engagement.The British sent an expedition led by Col. Younghusband to Lhasa via Jelepla in 1904. The expedition met with resistance from the Tibetan army, which was defeated, and a treaty was dictated by Younghusband on Tibet. The Treaty secured monopoly-trading privileges in Tibet for the British The route started from Kalimpong, Pedong which is located in Darjeeling Distraict and further to Nathula via Rhenock, Aritar, Jaluk. When the first expedition was lunched to find the trade route to Tibet, it became an essence to establish a police outpost, hence Sir.James Claud White the first British political officer of Sikkim, established the first police outpost is Sikkim at Aritar, on the due course a rest house was also built for a night halt, therefore, it is known that Aritar had its commercial significance more than that of Gangtok in the past. It is said that three of the British had died in their way to the expedition, whose cemetery can still be seen at Aritar. The Lampokhari Lake ar Aritar served to quench thirst of the mules and merchants on their tiresome journey to Tibet. Goods were usually packed in black tarpaulin in order to protect from rain and snow, hence the term Kalo Bhari in Colloqual gained popularity among the people. It is said that people were often dragged from their home by the despotic heads, they had to work reluctantly for construction of the mule tracls else they were put behind the bars or faced heavy penalties.
Annual Aritar-Lampokhari Festival
After the big success of "1st Aritar Lampokhari Tourism Festival" in 2006, members of A.D.L.D.S (Aritar-Dalapchand Lampokhari Development Society) have decided to continue celebrating tourism festival in between March and April annually. Below are the pre organized events for tourists:
- Boating
- Traditional cultural programs
- Tours of Historical places
- Horse riding
- Flower Exhibition cum sale
- Traditional Food Plazas
- Chief Minister archery Gold Cup Competition
- Rock Climbing, Exorcist (Zhakri) Dance
- Adventure sports and Trekking
- Craft and Paintings and other Cultural Events and Competitions
Places of Interests
- Lampokhari : Initially one of the oldest natural lake in Sikkim and recently artificially constructed to facilitate boating for the tourists. At an altitude of 4600 ft it is the only lake with boating facility in Sikkim.
- Dak Bunglow : Popularly known as Ari-Bangla it is an old British built bungalow built by Sir James Claude White (first political officer of Sikkim during British rule in India) in the year 1895. At the same premises Sikkim’s first treasury was built as well as Sikkim Police was raised and the first outpost started functioning in the year 1897.
- Aritar Gumpa : A monastery of the Kagyuapa order,considered as one of the holiest and oldest in Sikkim.The visitor’s can imbibe the tranquil air with splendor of monastic arts reflected in it’s traditional architecture, carved & painted murals and treasure of manuscripts and icons..
- Parbateyswar Shivalaya Mandir : The most venerated shrine with picturesque splendor is considered a very holy pilgrimage site, where thousands of devotees throng for the blessing and participate during the month of SAWAN to offer water and sip the sacred water from a sacred vessel.
- Mankhim Dara : Mangkhim, a Temple of the Rai sect of Hindu origin is located at a height of 6500 ft at Maity Village (Kheselakha) . Hattipailay is another virgin village where the visitors can see elephant foot prints on rock.
- Nirmal Dham : This place situated about 5km (approx) from Rhenock Bazar, is an abode of "Nirmal Guruji" (a.k.a) Kopchey Baba, known for his miraculous healing power, which has attracted hundreds of devotees from all over India and neighboring countries.
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Phushrey Lake : Phushrey lake is located few km uphill from Aritar in a isolated jungle. Where a years old log stands still delivering nice reflection on the water.
- Ever green nursery & Ram Gauri Sangrhalaya : Located at Rhenock Bazar, the nursery and museum is privately owned and has drift wood collections, botanical & other varieties of flowers.
- Kali khola falls (lonely falls) : 100m. in height, its a beautiful falls.
- Changey water fall : 50 m in height (Near Lampokhari)
- Lungchok valley : Trekking destination (Lokdara, Chujachen)
- Love Dara : Low hill picnic spot. Aritar.
- Rachela : Trekking to Rachela is indeed an another splendid experience.
How to reach Aritar-Lampokhari?
Tourist can take taxi to Aritar-Lampokhari of Rongli Sub-Division, from Gangtok, Sikkim (3 hours) drive, or directly from Siliguri (3 to 4 hours), where number of taxis are available for Rongli-Sub Division of Sikkim.
Contact Information
There are number of Sikkim Tourism offices in India, you can contact these tourism offices for further information.
Delhi
- New Sikkim House, 14, Panchsheel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021 Tel No : 011 – 26115346, 26115171, Fax No : 26974102
Kolkata
- Sikkim House, 4/1, Middleton Street , Kolkata-16, Tel : 033-22815328, Fax : 22817905