Nature · Tashiding
Read the land from Tashiding hill
From the hilltop, trace the Rathong Chu down from the Kangchenjunga glaciers to its meeting with the Rangeet, and see how rivers, ridges and monasteries fit together in West Sikkim.
Photo: Sharada Prasad CS · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tashiding stands on a hill between two rivers. The Rathong Chu flows from the glaciers of the Kangchenjunga massif past Yuksom; the Rangeet comes from the north-west and later joins the Teesta. From the edge of the monastery terrace you can follow both valleys.
On a clear morning you can pick out Pelling's ridge and Pemayangtse to the west, and the hills towards Ravangla to the east. Ask a local to point out the villages; each slope has its own community and crops.
Bring binoculars. From October to March the air is clear; in spring, haze softens the far ridges. It is a good moment to understand how West Sikkim's sacred sites face each other across the valleys.
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Questions travellers ask
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Which rivers meet near Tashiding?
Tashiding stands on a hill between the Rathong Chu, which drains the glaciers of the Kangchenjunga massif past Yuksom, and the Rangeet. The Rangeet later joins the Teesta near Melli on the border with West Bengal.
Can I see Kangchenjunga from Tashiding?
The high peaks are partly hidden by nearer ridges from Tashiding. The site is better for valley and river views. For Kangchenjunga, the Pelling ridge, Pemayangtse and Uttarey give clearer views on fine mornings.
When is the best time for views at Tashiding?
October to March, in the morning, when the air is clear after the monsoon. Spring haze builds by midday from April. During the monsoon, cloud often fills the valleys, though the effect of mist around the hill can be beautiful.
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