Rhenock[1] is a town, just 29 km from Pakyong City in the Pakyong district in Sikkim, India, located on the border with the Kalimpong district of West Bengal. It lies 63 kilometres east of Gangtok, and 47 kilometres north of Kalimpong on the way to Jelepla Pass at an altitude of 1,040 metres.[2] The word Rhe-nock (in Lepcha dialect) means Black Hill. Situated in the extreme east of Sikkim, Rhenock witnessed the establishment of the first police outpost in the state.[3]
History
Rhenock was covered with dense forest in and around the 13th century. The Lepchas were the early settlers about five or six hundred years ago. Middle of 16th century the Bhutias, migrated from Tibet settled in the villages presently known as Kyongsa, Aritar, Tarpin, Reshi and Chalisey. The people who settled were Gorkha ethnic groups such as Newars, Bahuns (Adhikari, Poudyal, Gautam, Dahal, Bhandari, Pokhrel and Achaarja), Chhetri (Subedi, Khatiwada & Bista), Gurung, Rai and Limbu. Some people from Northern parts of India also migrated here at around 1940-1960 for business.
People
Rhenock is inhabited by people of different ethnic groups such as Lepchas, Bhutias, Nepalis (Gorkhas), Kiratis, Biharis and Marwaris. Lepcha tribes who were early settlers have their own unique culture. Originally followers of Shamanism, they later became followers of Buddhism. Some of them are followers of Christianity. Bhutias are another group of tribes who are followers of Buddhism and who have their own identity and culture. The majority of the people are Indian Nepalis also known as Gorkha. Most of them are Hindus by religion. Some of the Nepalis Gurung after 1990 became Buddhist; before that they were followers of Hinduism. Some others are followers of Christianity. In spite of the above, everyone respects others' beliefs and faiths and celebrates others' festivals which makes a peaceful and prosperous society.
Demographics
Religion
Religious Demographic in Rhenock Census Town (2011)[4]
As Rhenock lies very close to the border between Sikkim and Kalimpong district of North Bengal, so it is also the very important town for the villages of Kalimpong district like Lingsay, Chuba, Beech Kagay, Gendung, Bendha, Pavak, Kataray, Jhusing, Jogi Bhir, Mudung, Pithamchin, Mulkharka, Fusrey, Tagathan, Kashing, Lunchu, Khimsithang, Ladam, Deorali Kagey, Hatticharay, Dabaipani etc. Hence daily taxi services access these villages with Rhenock.
Rangpo railway station an under construction railway station which is 26 kilometres away from Rhenock.
Educational institutions
Rhenock has about 130 years of history of education. Rhenock School is among the oldest schools of Sikkim. It was established by a Christian missionary in 1880 at Rhenock (Khamdong).[8] Later it was taken over by the government of Sikkim and shifted to Kingstone. Presently the school is known as Senior Secondary School, Rhenock. A Sanskrit Pathshala (School) was run in the premises of Rhenock Temple to teach Sanskrit and rituals to train Hindu priests. After the merger of Sikkim into the Indian union more than a dozen schools were opened by the government of Sikkim. Rhenock now has the following educational institutions:
