The clay-pot tower story at Stairway to Heaven

The story comes from Lepcha tradition and is recorded by the Soreng district administration. Villagers in Daramdin argued about how far the sky was and began to build a tower of clay pots to find out. Near the top, the man at the summit called for a pole to strike the sky, "Kok bing yang tal" in Lepcha, but those below heard only "cheka", which they took to mean destroy the ladder. They brought the tower down. The district site says clay pot pieces were later found in Daramdin.

Swarga Janae Seeri, meaning stairway to heaven, is the memorial site built around that story. Wikipedia records that its foundation was laid in 1997, that construction stopped and that it later resumed. How finished it is when you visit will vary, so check current status before you travel. The point of coming is less the structure than hearing the story where it is told, ideally from someone whose family has told it for generations.

A local guide, about ₹500–800, can walk you there, tell the story in his or her own words and explain the Lepcha and Limbu history of the village. Allow about 1.5 hours. Treat it as you would any place of local memory: listen, ask questions, and do not climb on structures under construction. Combine it with the farm walk or a visit to Tharpu.