EDITORIAL CREATIVE TOURISM The Mystic Adventurer

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Jan 8, 2011

Lachen Valley in North Sikkim occupies a significant portion of Sikkim’s territory. Not only does its northern and western borders touch Tibet (China) and Nepal, Lachen Valley, yet unexplored and undefiled by visitors, is perhaps the most enchanting region which could be carefully nurtured for growth of tourism industry. Besides its scenic beauty it is also a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche (Lord Padmasambhava) in the 8^th century once trod and blessed the land.

His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Head of Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, a Sakya Lama who is held in high esteem by all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, chose the Lachen route to flee Tibet after the Chinese occupation of that country. In the early 20^th century a French lady, Alexandra David-Neel, spent around two years in a cave in Dewthang in Lachen to seek the blessing and guidance of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche in matters spiritual.

It is indeed heartening to know that some film makers from India and France are presently engaged in making a film on David-Neel. Efforts were made by a France-based trust of David-Neel to revive the French lady’s connection with Sikkim but so far it has largely gone unnoticed. The authorities in Sikkim seem to be engrossed only in big, multi-crore projects such as construction of huge statues of religious figures to attract tourists. Both the local people and the authorities need to apply their mind and do some real re-thinking and be more creative in making Sikkim truly a tourist-friendly destination. Preservation and promotion of Sikkim’s natural and cultural history demands deft handling if we are to promote the region as a Buddhist circuit in the tourism sector.