| Sight
seeing in and around Gangtok. The main
places of interests are as stated below.
Tashi View Point: From here, you could
have a view of Mt Kanchanjunga and other
peaks of the Himalayas. One can have an
experience of the changes in colour of
snows of the mountains there.
Institute of Tibetology was established
in 1958 to promote research on the language
and culture of Tibet, as well as Mahayana
Buddhism, it is the most prestigious of
its kind in India. It has on display a
vast collection of rare Tibetan, Sanskrit
and Lepcha manuscript. The museum section,
houses a number of exotic ritualistic chortens,
brass bells, dorjis, rosaries and some
very rare thanas. Today it is renowned
worldwide center for study of Buddhist
philosophy and religion.
Rumtek Monastery is the sect of the Gyalwa
Karmapa Lama. The monastery is a magnificent
example of Tibetan Monastic art and was
built by His Holiness, Gyalwa Karmapa,
(a leader of the Kagyu Sect of Tibetan
Buddhism). It is a close replica of the
H.H. Karmapa's monastery at Tsorphu in
Tibet and houses some of the world's most
unique religious art objects. The sacred
Tsomgo Lake (elevation 3780 m) is situated
38 km to the east of Gangtok amidst picturesque
mountains.a a Tibetan Buddhist lamasery
of the Nyingmapa order, is a 95 km drive
from Kalimpong.
Enchey Monastery is an important sect
of the Nyingmapa order, this 200 year old
monstary, atop a hill above Gangtok, was
once the hermitage of Lama. Dripthob Karpo,
a tantric master renowned for his powers
of flying. The annual ritual dance is performed
on the 18th and 19th day of the 12th Month
of the Tibetan calendar corresponding to
the month of December/ January.
Deer Park: Embraced by gardens f flowers
lies a beautiful Deer Park – an ideal
place to be solitude, beside the Secretariat.
Built to commemorate the Buddha’s
reincarnation as a musk deer, it has a
large fielded statue of Buddha under a
beautiful canopy in preaching posture,
a replica of the statue at Sarnath in Uttar
Pradesh, where Lord Buddha delivered his
first sermon. It is a popular viewpoint
on the edge of the ridge.
White Hall: Built in 1932 in memory of
the first Political Officer of Sikkim,
Sir Claude White. Situated on a ridge,
it has historical value only. There is
an officer’s club.
Orchid Sanctuary: It is near Research
Institute of Tibetology, where you can
see many of the 454 species of orchid found
in Sikkim. The best time to visit is April-May,
July-August and October-November. There
yet another collection of orchids produced
by the Governmental Tissue Culture Department
of Sikkim in Saramsa or Apeca Garden about
14 Kms. from Gangtok besides Ranikhola.
This is this garden for the home of Sikkim’s
many exotic orchids and other rare tropical
and temperate plants. Formed and maintained
by the Department of Forest, it is an excellent
recreational and beautiful picnic spot,
and a swimming pool.
Ganesh Tok: It is at an altitude of 6500
ft. above Gangtok and 7 Kms. There is a
small temple of God Ganesha nested. Panoramic
view of Gangtok, magnificent and breathtaking
view of Khangchendzonga and Siniolchu can
be observed and enjoyed from this spot
on a ridge. A cafeteria serves hot tea,
coffee and snacks.
Hanuman Tok: It is at an altitude of 7200
ft., about 5 Kms. From Gangtok where there
is a temple of God Hanuman. Panoramic view
of Gangtok and adjoining hills and valleys
with Khangchendzonga on the background
can be seen from here. Sunrise can be observed
from here. Night view of the Gangtok city
lights is mood elevating.
Tashi View Point is About 8 Kms. from
Gangtok. It is a resting shed. Astounding
view of Khangchendzonga and the Siniolchu
Range is the main attractive of this point.
The distant north Sikkim monasteries are
also visible from this point along the
North Sikkim highway.
Do-drul Chorten (Stupa): Situated on a
hillock, it is a five minutes drive from
Gangtok town, Built by late Trulshik Rimpoche
in 1946, head of the Nyingmapa order and
the late Chogyal Tashi Namgyal in 1957
to invoke the Gods for the peace and tranquility
in the State. Set of Kagyur holy books,
relics, complete mantras, rare mandalas
of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya) and other
religious objects are found inside the
Chorten. A small Chorten known as Jhang
Chub is built beside the Phurba Chorten
in memory of Trulshik Rimpoche who passed
away in 1962. Few yards below the Chorten
is the rock known as “DO-TA-PU” or “Stone
Horse”. There is a monastery close
by called “Guru Lakhang” with
the state of Guru Padmasambhava and Guru
Snong Zisil Gnen, the incarnated one of
the first. Around the Chorten is installed
the ‘180’ Mani-Lhakor or prayer
wheels. The Chorten has the sacred topped
stupa.
Saramsa Garden: Also
know as Ipecac Garden is about 14 kms from
Gangtok, the home of Sikkim's most exotic
orchids and other rare tropical and temperate
plants. The garden is know as Ipecac garden
because of the plant Ipecac that is grown
here. Established and maintained by the
Department of Forest, it is an excellent
recreation and picnic spot. Besides this
plant, this garden also contains a wide
variety of other flora including numerous
types of orchids and medicinal plants.
A large green house also accommodates many
other species of plants. One has to take
a taxi to reach this place. |
Sikkim is the 22nd state of India that
came into existence with effect from 26th
April, 1975. Sikkim state being a part
of inner mountain ranges of Himalayas,
is hilly having varied elevation ranging
from 300 to 8540 meters. But the habitable
areas are only up to the altitude of 2100
mtrs. Constituting only 20% of the total
area of the state. Sikkim has been divided
into four districts and each district has
further been bifurcated into two sub-divisions
for administrative purpose.
