 |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
In Summer |
: |
February to May |
| In
Winter |
:
|
September to December |
|
| |
Gangtok,
the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill
made flat to build the Gangtok monastery
in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which,
till one sees it, one would believe
exists only in picture-story books.
In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags
whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the
hands of Lamas mumbling invocations
to God, in the distance are the snows,
on the streets amidst brightly painted
pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly
smiling people are silver, silk and
spice and jewellery to gladden an maiden's
heart, from across the seven seas are
gadget and goods to delight the collector
of "imported goods', while directly
overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma,
the 'Mother of Pearl' citadel of the
magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.
An air of enchantment hangs over
the city, indeed the whole valley;
the mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries
reach out as soon as one has crossed
the border. While across the hills
and valleys comes the sounding of
the long trumpets by robed lamas.
|
| Prime Attractions in Gangtok |
Today,
the Gangtok is very rich in tourist
spots. A nature lover's paradise, the
famous hill resort of Gangtok offers
a lot of sites to visit. Few of them
are –
Deer Park, adjacent
to the new secretariat and also called
the Rustomji Park named after one of
the Dewans of the Chogyal of Sikkim,
the park has a big open enclosure in
which animals native to Sikkim like
the red panda and the Himalayan Bear
are kept. A big statue of Lord Buddha
commemorating his preachings of the
noble truths in the Deer Park at Sarnath
adorns the park premises. A butter lamp
perpetually burns in front of the statue,
which is surrounded with flowers of
exotic variety. The park commands a
fantastic view of the hills, surrounding
Gangtok.
Dul-Dul Chorten, Duddul
Chortenat Dotapu Chorten, Gangtok was
built under the supervision of the late
Most Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche after
due preparations in 1945-46, in accordance
with the prophecy made in 1944 by the
Holiness the Dud-Zom Rinpoche.
Government Institute of Cottage
Industries, this institute
is located at about half a kilometre
uphill from the main market of Gangtok.
It was established with the purpose
of promoting the manufacture and sale
of local handicrafts. Thankas (also
spelt as Thangkas), hand carved wooden
tables - known as Choksees and exquisitely
woven woolen carpets. More than hundred
student workers turn out cottage crafts
produced here, with textures, plush
and exotic, the designs varying from
sophisticated simplicity to a brilliant
riot of varmillion pitted against intense
blue, are durable and popular all over
the world second to carpets in popularity
is Sikkimese Tankhas, variegated appliqué
work Batiks and exquisite dolls, in
wood-work are available intricately
carved Sikkimese tables, hand-painted
masks, lamp-stands, shades and bamboo-craft.
Esoteric masks, flashing silks, opulent
brocades and embroidered boots, clothe
the Sikkimese dancers.
Kechopari Lake, On
bifurcation road between Gyalsing and
Yoksum, is clear water Kechopari Lake
(means - wishing lake). All around are
mountains with dense forests and wild
life. It is so placid, crystal clear
that not a leaf can be seen floating
over it, because it is immediately lifted
by birds.
Labrang Monastery,
a kilometre further from Phodong, the
Labrang monastery was built about 100
years later. This monastery belongs
to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism,
the same as that of Pemayangtse monastery
in West Sikkim. Its name translates
simply as the dwelling place of the
Lamas (monks).
Tasuklakhang - The
Royal Chapel, is within the palace grounds.
Popularly called Tsulakhang Royal. It
is the principal place of worship and
assembly and the repository of a vast
collection of Buddhist scriptures.
Tsomgo Lake, Tsomgo
literally means "Source of the
Lake " in Bhutia language. ' TSO'
means lake and ' MGO' means head. At
about 40-km away from Gangtok, this
serene and holy lake is situated at
an altitude of 12,400 ft on the Gangtok
- Nathu La highway.
White Hall, it was
built in 1932 in memory of the first
political officer of Sikkim, Claude
White. There is an Officers Club and
a Badminton Court in the white hall.
Yaksey, a tourist lodge,
6-km from Lachung towards Yumthang is
an ideal place for tourists to this
area. Another 23-km leads to Yumey-Samdong
hot springs near river Sebu-Chu at the
foot of Donkia-La pass, which connects
Lachung valley to Lachen valley. |
| And the other, excursions from Gangtok are |
Changu
Lake, with an average depth
of 50 ft, this lake is situated 35 km
from Gangtok at an altitude of 12,000
ft on the Gangtok Nathu-la highway.
Recently this lake has been opened for
tourists. Its cool, placid water is
in the perfect harmony with the scenic
beauty around. A small temple of Lord
Shiva is constructed on the lakeside.
Primulae flowers and other alpine vegetation
grow wild around the lake. The department
of Tourism conducts package tours to
this lake. Cameras are not allowed to
carry on this route. A little distance
from the lake is a beautiful natural
three storeyed cave, the Tseten Tashi
cave is a worth to visit.
Ganesh Tok, it is
situated on a ridge and is only 7-km
from Gangtok. From this spot one gets
birds view of sprawling Gangtok town
down below while across the hills
Mt. Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu
loom over the horizon. A cafeteria
serves hot tea/coffee and snacks.
Hanuman Tok, it
is 11-km from Gangtok town, above
Ganesh Tok with a Hindu temple where
the devotees come and offer prayers.
Menmecho Lake, lies
20-km ahead of Changu Lake, cradled
between the mountains below Jelapla
Pass, is the source of River Ranpochu,
which meets Teesta at Rangpo. It is
rich in trout. A Dak Bungalow and
a tourist lodge are available for
overnight stay.
Yumthang, is a valley
at 12,000 ft. Its location is awesome.
Nature is at her expressive best.
Snow clad mountains all around looking
down on this high valley full of colour.
The valley floor is covered with wild,
yellow flowers and violet Primulas,
while the hill sides are vivid and
glowing with multicoloured Rhododendrons.
The best part about travelling in
Sikkim is that even while one is travelling
one is actually passing through beautiful
places. Each place could be the destination
for a lovely ethereal holiday.
|
| How
to reach |
Gangtok
can easily access through air, train
and bus.
By Air: The closest
airport is at Bagdogra, which is 124-km
from Gangtok (about 4 hours drive) and
connected by air with all-important
Indian Metros.
By Rail: The nearest
railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, which
is 125-km (about 4 hours drive) from
Gangtok. NJP is well connected with
all major cities of India.
By Road: Gangtok is
connected with Darjeeling, Kalimpong
and Siliguri by the national highway
31 A. the Sikkim nationalised transport
plies regular bus services between Gangtok
and Siliguri and within Sikkim. Private
buses, jeeps and taxis are also available
from Siliguri and Bagdogra. |
| So,
what are you waiting for...!! Just
pack your bags and Get going for the
most adventurous vacation of your lifetime
in Gangtok with us. |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
