About this Sacred Grove

It is situated in the dense forest 5km trek from Rolep Village in East Sikkim. The grove falls in Eastern Himalayan Sub-tropical broad leaved hill forest, dominated by Garuga. pinnata followed by Cryptomeria japonica tree. The area of sacred grove is around 0.97ha having no well defined boundary (State Forest report 2011).
The grove is known as Taku Ney in Bhutia language which means the Tigers’ abode. A foot print of a tiger
present on a stone is is worshipped by the Buddhist as well as Nepali communities. The water flowing
from the rock crevices nearby the tiger foot print is believed to be holy water which is taken to home by
the people visiting the scared grove. It is believed to be 150 years old and was first discovered by hunters.
The people make offering like milk and fruits to the deity of both communities present in the grove. In
1957, the last monarch of Sikkim is said to have visited the place. It is believed that if a childless family visits
and offers prayer and offering to the local deity, they are blessed with a child.

Location

Coordinates: 27.1711000, 88.4334000

Plants / Species (1)

grey downy balsam

Garuga pinnata

Individual Count

850