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SIKKIM
Gangtok
Gateway to Sikkim
 Perched
atop a ridge at a height of 1520 Mts. Lies Gangtok, a tantalizing
town touched be a panorama of colours. Gangtok the capital of Sikkim
is today a busy town bustling with hectic activity. Gangtok serves
as a perfect base for exploring Sikkim. Endowed with a wealth of
exquisite beauty and magical mystery, with a host of walkways and
delightful sights, which make it all the more irresistible.
Gangtok offers the tourist all modern amenities for comfort and
pleasure.
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| Altitude |
1,547 metres |
| Population |
6.13 million |
| Climate |
Max Temp. :: Summer:20.7, Winter:14.9 |
| Clothing |
Light Woolens in Summers and Heavy Wooolen in
Winters |
| STD Code |
03592 |
| Best Season |
March to late May, October to Mid December |
Places to see
Research Institute of Tibetology
The Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology on the way to the Rumtek
Monastery has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes on diverse subjects
like astrology, philosophy, magic and religion,
Orchid Sanctuary
Just below the Institute of Tibetology is the Orchid Sanctuary with
its exotic range of over 200 species of temperate and intermediate
orchids on beautifully landscaped grounds.
The Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom
Institute with the aim to preserve and promote traditional cottage
arts and crafts of authentic Sikkimese design.
Phurba - Chorten at Do - Ta - Pu
Situated on a hillock, it is a five minutes drive from Gangtok town.
Around the Chorten is installed the 108 “Mani - Lhakor’.
Deer Park
Embraced by gardens of flowers lies the Deer Park. Built to commemorate
the Buddha’s reincarnation as a musk deer, it has a large statue
of the Buddha in preaching posture.
Tashi View Point
Just 9 Kms from Gangtok along the North Sikkim Highway lies this
tourist spot, providing a breathtaking view of Mount Khagchen -
Dzonga & Mount Siniolchu.
People
Sikkim has a population of about three lakhs, made up of Lepchas,
Nepalese and Bhutias.The Lepchas are the oldest inhabitants of Sikkim.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Tibetans arrived bringing with
them the red hat Lamist tradtion - Nying - ma - pa, which became
the dominant culture and official state religion.
Access
Air : There are regular schedule flights operated by Indian
Airlines from Kolkata and Delhi to Bagdogra. Bagdogra is the nearest
airport and it is 124 km from Gangtok which is approximately a five-hour
drive by road.
Rail : The two closest railway stations to Gangtok are Siliguri
junction 114 kms away and New Jalpaiguri 125 kms away.
Road : Gangtok is connected by rpad with Darjeeling, Kalimpong
and Siliguri.
AT A DISTANCE
Bakkhim
Yaksum is the base for Bakkhim, an exhilarating place with more
than 20 varieties of rhododendrons splashing all around the valley.
Bakkhim is also the base for mountaineers and trekkers going to
Dzongri 10 km away.
Dzongri
Situated at an altitude of over 3962 metres, it offers the most
fascinating view of the Kanchenjunga massif. Just opposite is the
Pandium Peak (6890 metres) cloaked in thick snow. The sight of sunset
at Dzongri is unforgettable.
Pemyangtse
The Pemyangtse monastery - the sublime lotus - is situated at
an altitude of 2085 metres and is the second oldest monastery. Rabdentse
near Pemayangtse was once the capital of Sikkim. The walls and ceilings
of the monastery are painted with brilliantly hued frescos of gods
and demons. Pemyangtse is an ideal base for trekking to Yaksum.
Rumtek
A 37-Km drive from Gangtok in the west through lovely countryside
brings you to Rumtek - a monastery of great beauty and significance.
When the Chinese occupied Tibet, His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, the
ninth incarnate of the original Gyalwa Karmapa of the Tibet and
head of the Karmagupa sect of Buddhism, took refuge in Sikkim. The
Chogyal of Sikkim welcomed him and gift him apiece of land to set
up a new monastery. It is now the residence of His Holiness and
the headquarters of the Dharma Chakra Religious Centre.
Kalimpong
Kalimpong, at 1,250 Mts. is a minor hill station (50 Kms from Darjeeling).
Kalimpong was once a Bhutanese territory. Thongsa Gompa, is of Bhutanese
origin and was built around 1692. Other places to visit are the
Pedong Monastery, Fort of Damsang and the Tharpa Choling Monastery.
General Information
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| Altitude |
1250 metres |
| Population |
6.13 million |
| Climate |
Max Temp. :: Summer:17.0, Winter:7.0 |
| Clothing |
Light Woolens in Summers and Heavy Wooolen in
Winters |
| STD Code |
03552 |
Places to see
Dr. Graham’s house
3 km. Dr. John Anderson Graham established a school here in 1900
for destitute children of European descent.
Durpin Dara
A vantagepoint in Kalimpong, which provides a breath - taking view
of snow - clad peaks and the entire range of mountains of the Kanchenjunga.
Guripur House
2 Km. On way to Duroin Dara, It was a favourite resort of the Nobel
laureate Rabindranth. While residing in this house, the poet composed
many famous poems.
Tibetan Monastery
The Tharpa Chaoling Monastery at Tirpal Hill, enroute to Dr.Graham’s
Home, belongs to the yellow - hat sect of lamas to which the present
Dalai Lama belongs.
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