Below is a picture taken at the Kyongsala village stop on the first break to our journey to Chhangu Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathu-la. The road to Nathula is one of the highest motorable roads in India.
Tsangu Lake or Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake is a glacial lake in East Sikkim, some 40 kilometres away from Gangtok at altitude of 3780 m (12400 ft). Most parts of the year it remains covered with ice. Below is a picture with snowfalls on the shrubs with part of the Lake in the background in the end of December.
Menmecho Lake or Memenchuk lake, is a beautiful lake located 20 KMs. ahead of Tsangu Lake. It is of the same size of Tsangu Lake. This falls enroute Nathula pass. It is the source of the river Rangpo chu, a tributary of the River Teesta. Menmecho is closed to tourists and we can have a view of it from the way.
Nathu La(La meaning Pass in Tibetian) is 54 km east of the Sikkimese capital, Gangtok, and 430 km from the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Lhasa. The pass, located at an elevation of 4,310 m (14,200 feet) above mean sea level, forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route. This route is now open for trading between India and China after being closed for more than 40 years. The pass is open only to Indian nationals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. On other days is it in use for exclusive military use. Visitor's permit can be obtained from any tourist agency 1 day in advance of the visit. Below is a picture of the Chinese Military Checkpost in Nathu La.
Kupup falls within the restricted area in the East Sikkim. It resembles an elephant in shape. It is hence called Elephant Lake or Kupup Lake.
Crystal Clear view of Kanchenjunga Peak from Kupup was the most amazing part of the journey but alas this was just the one click before the clouds covered the Peak.
Baba Mandir is built as a memory for CAPTAIN "Baba" Harbhajan Singh, an Indian army soldier who died near the Nathula Pass in Eastern Sikkim, India. He is respected by all the solders of the Indian army. Every year on September 14, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in Kapurthala district in Punjab. As per train rule the train reserved seat never left blank, but for baba reservation is done to travel him at his home town every year with solders to drop Baba at his home town. A small sum is also sent to his mother each month.
Original Baba Mandir is beyond Kupup. There is a new Baba Mandir built 2-3 hours before the original Baba Mandir since Kupup is a restricted area. Below is the picture from the top of the bunker of original Baba Mandir.
Inside of the Baba Mandir Shrine
There will be an exclusive post on Nathula, till then kale shoo (Good Bye)...