Legship
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Legship is a small town situated in the West Sikkim district. It is a famous tourist location that also serves as a picnic spot with facilities like river rafting and swimming.
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 Legship is a small town situated in the West Sikkim district. It is regarded as the gateway to West Sikkim. In Sikkim, Legship is situated on the banks of Rangeet River. The town is inhabited by less than 1000 people who run their own business to earn their livelihood. Presently Legship has developed into a tourist spot. The town is almost 26 kilometres north of Jorethang and acts as a connector to Ghezing and Pelling. The place has gained a lot of importance in the recent times with the development of the River Dam. It is also the spot for a large hydro electric dam. The dam forms a large lake which serves as a picnic spot for the tourists. The place is known as Rangit Water World. Here rafting facility is also. The local people of Legship played an important role in developing and this spot as a tourist destination. Due to the River Dam, Legship has emerged as a site for the Water Based Tourism theme.
Legship also has a large temple complex on the bank of the Rangeet River. It is known as Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir. The temple finds reference in the Mahabharata. According to a legend one day Arjuna was meditating in the forest in Legship when he heard some noise. He thought that it might be some beast and set a target and shot at the animal. At the same another arrow came flying from the opposite direction and hit the same target. There was confusion as to who hit the target first but, owing to his dexterity; Arjuna soon realized that it was Lord Shiva himself. The Lord had appeared in front of him in the form of a hunter also known as Kirat. Arjuna bowed before him and sought his blessings. The lord blessed him and gave him his own arrow. It is said that Arjuna used the same arrow for the Kurukshetra war. After this incidence, Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir was constructed at this spot. This temple serves as one of the main tourist attractions in the town. Apart from the idol of Lord Shiva, the temple also houses the idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga. The most important event celebrated in the town is Bala Chaturdesi festival, which is held in the month of November or December. Lho Khando Sang Pho Caves and the sulphurous hot springs are other major tourist attractions of this destination.
Legship is connected to all the major parts of Sikkim by taxis, jeeps and private vehicles. Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport. Siliguri Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead, which can be used to reach Legship. Tourists can also use New Jalpaiguri Railway Station for reaching the destination. By roadways, Legship is connected to Pelling, Gangtok, Ghezing and Yuksom. The best time to visit this town is from mid February to May and again from mid September to December.
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