My eye-sight even in the  broad daylight of December failed to decide whether it was Diktel Multiple Campus (DMC) or St Loreto College. When
I eagerly entered  the green velvety campus compound, it was DMC, Tribhuvan University rather than Loreto of Darjeeling. To be true, DMC is wider,
 greener and more wonderful than St Loreto. Diktel, of course could be Darjeeling's Darjeeling if it had road links and modern technology. Road link has become a nightmare for years and ages. Hopefully, it is going to be the Queen of Khotang when Bhimchandra Rodung's Electricity Project will be completed.

The district headquarters of Khotang was eventually moved to Diktel from Khotang Bazaar in 1964 AD. Geographically, the present headquarters is
more centrally located than the former. At present Diktel is the centre of 76 VDCs. To some extent, the headquarters has administrative,
educational and commercial links with Okhaldhunga and Solukhumbu also. Therefore, Diktel-Khotang is the second major strategic centre of the hilly
areas after Dhankuta in eastern Nepal.

Khotang has more distinct identity than its neighboring districts. The loco-toponym itself denotes historical importance of Majh Kirat amongstWollo and Pallo Kirat. It has been derived from 'Khot' a personalKiranti name and 'Hang' king in Kiranti-Rodung mother-tongue. Thus the
Kiranti king's name historically changed into district name later.Prior to the so-called unification of Nepal, Khotang was one of the
Kiranti nations known as Majh Kirat or Khambuwan. It is one of the most significant sights for historical, linguistic and archaeologicalresearch.

Moreover,it is also a holy land for pilgrims and theologians as well. One such well-known shrines of faith is Haleshwor Paruhang popularly known as
Halesi Mahadeu. The legend of Halesi Paruhang and Sumnima dates back to the Vedic period. Other places of pilgrimage are: Baraha, Indreni,
Panchakanya Pokhari, Sapsudhap, Kalika Bhagawati, Kalika Devi, J tedhunga, Gaiy -Siddhasthan, Temke and Maparung.

Once I had been to the Halesi Paruhang Fair when I was a boy. My memory clearly recollects
the picturesque and mysterious caves of the shrine even today. I had climbed down to the caves through a ladder and entered the shrine of
Paruhang and Sumnima. So far as I recollect, those caves are moremysterious than 'Marabar Caves' described by EM Forster in his fictionA Passage to India.
 I confidently reminisce that I was not afraid there like Mrs Moore and Ms Adela Quest inside the Indian resonating 'Marabar
Caves'. I was unknowingly frightened by the hanging bats and noisyswallows inside the Paruhang caves. The internal structure of those
caves appears as if it was formed by volcano scientifically. But on thecontrary, divine myths have their own account about the formation of these caves.

Demographically,more than 70% Kirantis dwell in all 76 VDC areas and their main tribal
and cultural identity is Sakela Sili. Although Lhosar, Gaijatra, Indrajatra and Tihar are celebrated annually, Sakela Sili is observed
twice a year known as Chhirnam and Dhirinam around in February-March and April-May. It must have perhaps been originated in Khotang since
time immemorial.

Linguistically,Kiranti-Rodung (Camling) speakers have occupied the second position
after Nepali. Other Kiranti tribes speaking their own minority mothertongues are Kirawa, Dumi, Sampang,  Sunuwar, Puma, Nachhiring,
Ba'yung, Koyu, Tilung, Khaling, Thulung, Wambule and Kulung. After a glimpse of these wonders of Khotang I am once again haunted by the
tranquil and untrammeled environment of DMC.

I was much inspired and impressed by the ecological balance between man
and nature. The campus in such inexplicable environment might have been giving birth to neo-IBs and neo-Parasmanis as in the first simile of
DMC and St Loreto. The only difference between the two is that Diktel has no road links like Darjeeling. Because of this problem Diktel is
inaccessible for many travelers and pilgrims. Instead of itsinaccessibility, Layalu Hotel's nutritious and delicious food makes any traveler energetic.
Paku's and my sore muscles were immediately relieved while having the enriched Layalu food. The bazaar is famous
also for Milan Chamling's stick- handicraft. We met him at the bazaar and saw his artistic sticks made up of local thorny plants and bamboos.
We praised his art but did not purchase any of his products since wecould easily have pony-race on the hills.

Now-a-days the hill people are in the process of modernization except for road
links. Diktel is situated in such a height from where many panoramic views can be visualized. We were able to see
many places of magnetic attraction but had hardly any time even for a night's stay there. My
heart leaps time and again to be Lewis Carroll's Alice to peep the wonders of Diktel.