Poison Lake - Neing Dah

The lake is now dry but the little trek is enjoyable. The silence of the jungle will calm you from your inner side.

Located near Rinchenpong Monastery. Can be reached on foot through the forested trails. Be aware of leeches and snakes in the rainy season. Do not go too close to the lake to avoid accident.

“Poison Lake” is in Rinchingpong, Sikkim.
The name comes from the stoy that when British troopd had arrived at the outskirts of Rinchenpong to invade independent Sikkim, and had pitched their tents beside the Poison Lake. The locals very cleverly mixed a concoction of poisonous herbs to the waters of the lake. The lake was the only source of water and the British troop drank the poisonous water. As a result, most of them died or were severely ill. Facing such a catastrophe, the British had no other option but to retreat and the Sikkimese rejoiced.
At present, the lake is all dried up and serve as a cricket ground for the youths. Only during the monsoons the lake gets filled up.

There is also a believe that the lake is haunted! In the morning, they play cricket over the lake merrily, but after the sunset, none of the locals dare to venture near the Poison lake

The road to the Poison Lake is most of the time deserted. The canopy of trees makes sure that very little sunlight reaches the road. It definitely has a frightening feeling.

Adventurous trekking through out the way to this lake ... Though it's fully dry now a days but it has a historical past .. I don't know whether it is haunted or not , but u will dfntly fl something on the way ... Nature is silent and too much calm here ....

It's a seasonal lake located at around 1.5 km from Rinchenpong Bazar, West Sikkim. One can go by foot from bazar aswell. To reach there you need to take katcha road going upwards from police Booth, Rinchenpong Bazar.

It lies in the middle of the jungle and it's completely out of water during dry season.
Surrounding is like: Dense Forest, birds chirping, pleasant weather, peaceful Environment.

Before you visit pl. be well informed about Do and Dont's at the location as mentioned.

Me and my friends visited this place in the afternoon. Complete off-road trail going into the forest.

History:
In 1860 when british sent an expeditionary force to Sikkim, the lepchas who were the natives of Sikkim poisoned the water of a pond which was the main source of water using herbs, thus killing almost half of the army. This act forced the army to retreat.

The History is fascinating...rather a chilling one, but the actuality is a big No..No. Once again Nature betry me...my expectations could not match with actual reality.... talking about POISON LAKE/ POISON PHOKRI/ NEING DAH, Rinchenpong, Sikkim. Now, this is That famous small pond, the only source of water the then Rinchenpong...the local tribal lepchas poisoned the whole pond with some herbs and thus killed half a regiment of British Army...an army sent to force the local queen to submission. That notorious incident forced the British Authorities to retreat...a local history cherished by thousands of Indians, a David-Goliath fight which inspired freedom fighters. BUT...that famous pond is now just a shadow of that formar glory...no road, no watch...not even a signboard... the indifferent attitude of the authorities is just intolerable. And Nature was also not in my favour...a half k.m. jungle trek and then....a totally dried up small place...pond, so to say...So no lake at all... only during rainy season...there is a lake... But...

We got muddy little stagnant water in the month of November. In dry seasons boys play cricket there. Nothing like lake, but has historical, more over horror backgrounds. It's in deep jungle only accessible by foot. Many stories of ghosts and british turkey renders here. Its heard that this lake was connected with 'jor bunglow' another tourist attraction near by.turkeys poisoned the lake water to kill numerous british and did so. Over hundreds of british soldiers died on spot. Later some cinematographers came here for shooting but fled midway keeping their work incomplete. According to the locals, 5-6 years ago a little boy went there for a swim and found dead by a buddhist monk in his 'sadhna' after 4 hours completely blue. Which proves the water contains poison till date. Its remote area, found no living being here.