Jorethang Tourism And Travel Guide

Jorethang is a major trading town in the northeastern state of Sikkim, located at an altitude of 300 m above sea level in the southern regions of this state. It is situated along the banks of the River Rangeet that essentially forms a border between the states of Sikkim and West Bengal. The location of Jorethang in proximity to this tributary of River Teesta offers tourists the opportunity to partake in numerous water adventure sports, apart from being an area of beautiful scenic spots perfect for camps and picnics.

With the overall rise in tourism in Sikkim, there has been a steady increase in footfall in Jorethang as well. The town that has been of mostly commercial importance up until recently, is now also a great place to plan a short holiday to and enjoy its numerous attractions. Detailed below is a brief travel guide to map tourism prospects in Jorethang.

By Air: 

Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal is the closest terminal to Jorethang that connects it to all major airports in the country through a number of domestic flights operating between these regions. Outside Bagdogra Airport, both public and private transportation is available in the form of buses and taxis to take you to Jorethang directly.

By Rail:

The nearest railhead from Jorethang is the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, which is located around 88 km away. It is accessible from all major junctions in the country and has options with public and private transportation from the station that can take you to Jorethang from New Jalpaiguri directly.

By Road:

Jorethang can be accessed directly via road from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri through regularly operating buses and private transport, including shared jeeps. Within the state of Sikkim, all major cities connect to Jorethang through a good network of roads.

Summer (March – September):

The most ideal time to visit Jorethang is in the summer months. The climate remains clear and pleasant with temperature that falls under an average range of 23ᴼC. March and April are relatively cooler months; actual summer sets in only in the month of May and lasts till September. Monsoon rains occur in the months of July and August.

Winter (October – February):

Winters in Jorethang can get quite chilly during the months of December and January with temperatures that frequently reach subzero levels with occasional precipitation in the form of snowfall. Nonetheless, January is also one of the most highly visited months because of the annual festival Maghe Mela that forms the highlight of Jorethang.

Water Sports: 

Jorethang’s location near the banks of River Rangeet makes it the perfect spot for all adventure enthusiasts to indulge in different kinds of water sports and activities like river rafting, angling and fishing.    

Visit Towns Nearby: 

Situated en route to a number of towns in close proximity, Jorethang features as a transit town to visit numerous other regions nearby like Pelling and Namchi, which are widely known for their cultural landmarks that form an intrinsic part of Sikkim’s heritage. Darjeeling is also just 26 km away from Jorethang, which makes it a perfect weekend getaway.

Bathe in the Hot Spring:

The famous natural hot springs of Sikkim are known for their therapeutic properties, and the one in Jorethang is no exception. With water that has an average temperature of 50ᴼC, the spring doubles as a hot spa during the chilly winter months and witnesses a lot of tourists who visit to soak into the warm medicinal water.

Maghey Mela is one of the most famous festivals in Sikkim; celebrated with extreme grandeur, Jorethang comes alive each year on the 14^th of January with a number of cultural programs, food shows and sports competitions. Exhibits showcasing the handicrafts and artwork of local artists also feature as one of the highlights of the festival.

Maghey Mela has its origins dating back to an agricultural fair that was held in 1955 on the occasion of Makar Sakranti that is celebrated on the same day. It marks the beginning of the holy month of Magh in the Hindu calendar, when religious devotees would travel to the rivers Teesta and Rangeet to perform holy dips. Natives of neighboring towns began to organize small shops and stalls during this time to sell their goods and benefit from the business provided by the throngs of devotees that gathered here.

Today, the small fair has grown into a large scale celebration that witnesses crowds of tourists that visit each year to be a part of this colorful festival that is the most important aspect of tourism in Jorethang.