All seventeen peaks of this Himalayan range shine above Darjeeling. From West to East, they are Kang Peak, Jannu, Little Khabru, Khabru, Dom Peak, Talung Peak, Talung saddle, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Jubonu, Simvoo, Narsing, Siniolchu, Pakichu, Chomiomo, Lama Andem, Kanchenjhau.
Kanchendzonga : "The five Treasures of the High Snow" as originating from Tibetans. The Treasures are the five repositories of God, which are gold, silver, gems, food grain and religious texts.
Said Nicholas Roerich, in true words of an artist meeting nature in her full glory,
"This blessed country, leaves an impression of great calmness. Here, in the caves, dwelt many ascetics, filling space with their powerful thoughts.
Behind Kanchenjunga, in subterranean caves, still live hermits, and only a trembling hand, stretched out for food in answer to a pre-arranged knock, indicates that the physical body is still alive.
It is a whole snowy realm, altering its outlines with every variation of light.
Nowhere else on earth are expressed two such entirely different worlds. Here is the earthly world, with its rich vegetation, brilliant butterflies, pheasants, leopards, panthers, monkeys, snakes, and the innumerable other animals that inhabit the ever-green jungles of Dorjeeling. And above the clouds, in unexpected heights, shines the snowy kingdom, which has nothing in common with the busy ant-hill of the jungles. It is an eternally moving ocean of clouds, with untold varieties of mist.
Here was created the inspiring myth about Shiva, who drank the poison of the world for the sake of humanity. Here, from the churning of the clouds, rose the brilliant Lakshmi, for the joy of the world."
From “The Heart of Asia” - Nicholas Roerich
Paintings shown above by Nicholas Roerich