Gangtok

GANGTOK

 Gangtok is a bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The name Gangtok is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside, Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of 5,800 feet (1,800 m Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry. Gangtok is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and centres for Tibetology.

It is very widely known and esteemed for its scenic beauty and striking views of the mount Kanchenjunga, 3rd highest peak in the world. The hill resort is about 110 km from Siliguri and it is very well linked with other important places of this region.

With various cultures and religions thriving in perfect concord, Gangtok has proved that 'unity in diversity' exists in Sikkim. Sikkimeses possess firm bonding with their antique customs and traditions. Gangtok is emphatically not behind the rest of the places in the world in terms of modernization and urbanization. The town has broad roads, discothèques, educational institutes, fast-food centres, flyovers, posh markets, state-of-art hospital, and all other advanced and modern comforts that the heart can want for.

 The hospitality industry is the largest industry in Gangtok as the city is the main base for Sikkim tourism. Summer and spring seasons are the most popular tourist seasons. Many of Gangtok's residents are employed directly and indirectly in the tourism industry, with many residents owning and working in hotels and restaurants.  Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities. An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007.

ATTRACTIONS

SARAMSA GARDEN

Saramsa Garden is situated around 14 km away from Gangtok. It was constituted in year 1922 by the forest department of India. It is the home to numerous species of exotic orchids and other uncommon tropical plants of Sikkim. The garden also comprises many orchids and fruit trees. The garden has been established and sustained by the department of forests. It is a splendid recreational and picnic spot.

The garden covers an area of six acres. The garden would be an alfresco gallery and a watching deck in what respect the same the visitants can catch a glance of Rani khola and the worthy floriculture centre situated on its opposite side.

 TASHI VIEWPOINT

The late king of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal, has constructed the Tashi Viewpoint. It is located 4 km away from Gangtok, from where the visitors can get a perfect view of the opposite hills, besides mount Kanchenjunga. The snow range of Kanchenjunga could be seen on clear days. From this viewpoint, the visitors can easily see the Phodong Monastery and the Labrang Monastery on the opposite hill

A perching shed and a modest cafeteria are there at Tashi Viewpoint, which provides shelter and other comforts to the visitors. The park present near the viewpoint is a great place to savour the picnic.

TSOMGO LAKE

Tsomgo Lake is located in the north eastern part of Sikkim. It is situated 35 km away from Gangtok on the Gangtok–Nathula highway, which makes a role of the erstwhile trade route from India to China. This lake has been worshipped as a holy lake by Sikkimese. The average depth of this lake is about 50 feet and 1 km long.

The cool and tranquil water harmonies with the beautiful scenery around it attract so many visitors. During the winter season, the lake would be in frozen condition. A moderate-sized temple of lord Shiva is present on the lakeshore. Many beautiful flowering plants like primula and other plantations like alpine add beauty to the lake.

ENCHEY MONASTERY

Enchey Monastery, which means solitary temple, is a 200-year old monastery. This monastery is situated, on a hilltop, just 3 km away from the metropolis centre. There are about 90 monks in this monastery.

The monastery was constructed on this site blessed by the renowned Tantrik guru Lame Druptab Karpn, who is recognized for his flying powers. This monastery has been built as a small hermitage. However, during the period of Sikyong Tulku (from 1909 to 1910), the current monastery was constructed in the form of a Chinese Pagoda. No other construction is allowed built near this monastery. This monastery has icons of Goddesses, Gods, and other spiritual objects in its premises.

GANESH TOK

Ganesh Tok is a very small temple located next to the television tower on the hillock on Gangtok–Nathula road. Ganesh Tok is located 7 km from Gangtok. The altitude of this spot would be 6,500 m. This temple is devoted to lord Ganesh. It is so small; it can just accommodate one person. One must crawl to get into the temple.

From this temple, one can get a bird’s-eye view of the Gangtok town, the Raj Bhawan Complex, and mount Kanchenjunga – the world’s 3rd highest peak. There is a place called Smriti Van, which is close to the temple, where the devotees can plant saplings on behalf of their loved ones.

RUMTEK MONASTERY

Rumtek Monastery is also known as Dharma Chakra Centre. From its location on a hilltop, Rumtek Monastery is facing the city Gangtok. The monastery is located 24 km away from Gangtok, in the east Sikkim. This monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim, which is dwelling to the monk community. This is the place where the monks do the sacred rites in addition to the practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

The monastery is situated at an altitude of 5,800 ft. During summer, the maximum temperature would range between 13 and 21°C; however, in the winter the temperature would range between 8 and 15°C.

Rumtek Monastery consists of numerous sacred things; one of the most glorious things is the Golden Stupa that holds the treasured relics of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa.

FAMBONG LA WILDLIFE

Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 20 km away from Gangtok. This sanctuary is very famous for varied flora (like bamboo, champa, ferns, katus, kimbu, oak, orchids, rhododendrons, and so on) and fauna (binturong or bearcat, civet cat, Himalayan black bear, red panda, and so on).

It is a wonderful place to find many species of wild animals pursued with their day-to-day activities. It also domiciles many species of birds and butterflies. At the altitude of 7,000 feet, Tinjure has a wooden site-seeing tower, which has been maintained by the Forest Department. As a whole, this sanctuary would the best place for the nature lovers.

NAMGYAL INSTITUTE  OF  TIBETOLOGY

Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology is a premiere institute and research center located atop a small hill. The main attraction here is the museum which houses around 200 Buddhist icons, antique paintings,   statues,   masks and other religious works of Tibetan Art. Moreover, the museum is renowned for having one of the world’s biggest collections of rare manuscripts of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.

BAN JHAKRI FALLS

Set amidst natural greens and covering an area of around 2 acres, Ban Jhakri falls is quite a popular place amongst tourists in Gangtok. The site is just 4 km away from the town of Gangtok and it is enroute to Ranka Monastery, which is another tourist spot. A park with shamanistic theme, the ethnic sculptures and figures maintained in the park gives a picture of the Jhakri culture.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail - The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri, which is nearly 148 km away from Gangtok. Taxi cab will charge about Rs 2000. This is well connected to most of the major cities in India.

By Air - The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 124 km from Gangtok. The taxi fare from the airport to Gangtok is about Rs 2000. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad.

Helicopter services are available from Bagdogra to Gangtok, only once during a day. It takes about 20 minutes to complete one way journey

By Road - The Gangtok city is well connected to other cities in Sikkim and the neighboring states by bus services. Private tourist buses are available from Gangtok to Bagdogra (124 km) and to Siliguri (114 km).