Culture · Kabi Lungchok
Standing at the blood-brotherhood stones
Spend half an hour among the stone pillars and statues at Kabi Lungchok, where Sikkim's histories place the oath between the Lepcha chief Thekong Tek and the Bhutia prince Khye Bumsa. A short stop that explains how Sikkim's peoples tell their own beginning.
Photo: walter callens · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The site is small: a clearing in the forest, a plaque and a ring of upright stones, with statues of the two leaders. Read the plaque first, then walk the edge of the ring. In Wikipedia's account, the oath was that Khye Bumsa would not discriminate against his Lepcha subjects, and the stones were raised to mark it.
Take a few minutes to think about what the site is for. It is not a battlefield or a palace, and nothing was built here. It is a place where two peoples are remembered as having made a promise, which is one reason it matters to many Sikkimese families.
Keep your visit simple. Do not climb on the stones, do not touch the statues and ask before photographing anyone who has come to pray. If you are with children, tell the story in two sentences before you arrive and let them look. Check current status before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Is there an entry fee at Kabi Lungchok?
As far as we know, no. It is an open memorial site beside the highway, and we have not seen a ticket counter. Arrangements can change, so ask your driver or check current status before you travel. If you plan to visit on a festival or prayer day, expect more visitors.
How long should we spend at Kabi Lungchok?
Twenty to forty minutes is enough to read the plaque, walk around the stones and take a few photographs. If you want to sit quietly or look for birds in the forest around it, allow an hour. Most tour cars stop for about twenty minutes.
Is Kabi Lungchok suitable for children and older people?
Yes. The site is close to the road and mostly level, though paths can be damp and slippery after rain. Wear shoes with grip. There is little shade or shelter, so carry a rain jacket in the monsoon and a hat in summer. Check current status before you travel.
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