SIKKIM
Total Area: 7, 096 sq.kms.
Latitude : 27-28° North
Longitude : 88-89° East
Population : 4, 91, 000
PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST
East Sikkim:-
Enchey Monastery:-
An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey Monastery is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his power of flying. This 200 years old monastery has in its premises images of gods, goddesses and other religious objects. Every year, around ’’ January, ’Chaam’ or religious masked dance is performed with great fanfare for two days. It is situated adjoining the Siniolchu Tourist Lodge, 3 kms from Gangtok town.
Flower Festival:-
Flower exhibitions are organisGd around the year at the Flower Show Venue near the White Memorial Hal’ Com- plex, Gangtok. Orchid Shows held during the spring tour- ist season is one of the most POpular show organised in the state.
Nam-Nang View Point:-
Situated in the vicinity of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly,
one can have very good walk from Nam -Nang View Point to Sikkim Press. The visitors can also experience the breath taking view of the dense forest and lush green val- ley. A serene area to relish, an ideal Nature Walk.
Do-drul Chorten (Stupa)
The Do-drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the Venerable Trullshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, in 1945. Inside the Stupa, there are complete mandala set of Dorjee Phurba (Vajra Kilaya), a set of KangOyur relics (Holy Books), complete ’lung’ (mantras) and other religious objects. Around the Chorten, which is one of the most important Stupas in Sikkim, are 108 Mani Lhakor (Prayer wheels). These Prayer Wheels are turned by the devout Buddhist while chanting ’Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus’, to invoke the Bodhisattva. The Chorten is sur- rounded by Chorten Lakahang and Guru Lakhang, where there are two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padamsambhava).
Saramsa Garden:-
About 14 kms from Gangtok is the Saramsa garden, the home of Sikkim’s many exotic orchids and other rare tropical and temperate plants. Established and maintained by the Department of Forest, it is an excellent recreation and picnic spot and a leisure spot.
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre:-
About 45 minutes drive from Gangtok, 24 kms away, is the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, the seat of the Kagyu order, one of the 4 major Tibetan Buddhist Sects. Since the late 1960s, after the arrival of His Holiness the 16th-Gyalwa Karmapa, the Centre houses some of the world’s most unique religious scriptures and religious rare objects. Traditional in design, it is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet. It has over 300 centres overseas.
Zurmang Kagyud Monastery:-
Zurmang Kagyud Monastery which is located at Lingdum,
East Sikkim is at a distance of about 20 kms from Gangtok.
The present Gharwang Rimpoche is the twelfth successive
incarnation of the glorious emanation of Zurmang
Gharwang. A place worth visiting for its religious and ex-
quisite architecture.
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden:-
Situated at an altitude ranging between 1800 mtrs. to 2200 mtrs. Established in the year 1987, it comprises of virgin temperate forest of oaks and as many as 50 different kinds of tree species.
The Garden is situated at a place which is only a scenic beauty for the tourists but also adjoins Rumtek Monastery and Fambongla Wildlife Sanctuary. It is open for the visi- tors fror:n 1000 hrs. to 1600 hrs.
Water Garden:-
Water Garden at Martam Khola is on 31 A National High- way, 16 kms south of Gangtok. It is an ideal spot for pic- nic with a small swimming pool for children.
Tsomgo Lake:-
It literally means the ’Source of the Lake’ in Bhutia language. Just about 40 kms away from Gangtok, the capital of the State. This serene lake is situated at an
high altitude of 3, 780 mtrs. The lake is about 1 km long, oval in shape, 15 mtrs deep and is considered sacred by the local people. This placid lake remains frozen during the winter months upto mid-May.
Between May and August, it is possible to see a variety of flowers in bloom, including the rhododendrons, various species of primulas, blue and yellow poppies, iris, etc. It is also an ideal habitat of the Red Panda and various species of birds. Open for both the foreign and Indian nationals. Foreign visitors have to be in a group of 2 or more and have to apply for the visitors permit through a registered Travel agency.
Nathula:-
56 kms from Gangtok is a ’Nathula’ Pass at an altitude of 14, 200 ft. bordering between India and China in the Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the highest motorable roads and richly covered by many. varieties of alpine flora and fauna. A tranquil place to VISit. Nathula IS open only for Indian nationals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and sundays.The visitors have to get the permit to visit the place applying to the tourism department trough a registered travel egency.
Tashi View Point:-
Situated along the North Sikkim Highway, it is only 8 kms -from Gangtok. From this point you get a breathtaking view
of Mt. Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu, one of the most graceful peaks in the world. Ideal time to visit is early in the morning.
Himalayan Zoological Park:-
8 kms away from Gangtok is the Himalayan Zoological Park which covers an area of 205 hectares. This area is also known as Bulbulay. One can spot the Red pandas, barking deer, spotted deer, bears in a semi natural habitat.
Ganesh Tok:-
It is situated on a ridge and is only 7 kms from Gangtok. From this spot one gets bird’s eye view of sprawling Gangtok town down below while across the hills Mt. Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon. A cafeteria serves you hot tea/coffee and snacks.
Hanuman Tok:-
It is 11 kms away from Gangtok town, above Ganesh Tok with a Hindu Temple where the devotees come and offer prayers. Because of its locational advantage the view of the mountains along the horizon is just magnificent, especially on a clear sunny morning.
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary:-
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 25 kms from Gangtok and has an area of 51.76 sq.km. The main vegetation is oak, katus, kimbu, champa I and thick bamboo forests and ferns. The sanctuary is also home to a large number of wild orchids, rhododendrons, etc. The richly forested area is known to be home for various species of wild animals and birds. This area, located close to Gangtok, is being developed as a short trekking trail. The best season is October and April. A Log House with two rooms is available at Golitar and Tumin. Charges are Rs.50/- per person per night and entry fee to the Sanctuary is Rs.5/- per head. Apart from this sanctuary there are others like Kyongnosla AI~ine Sanctuary, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Menam Wildlife Sanctuary and Khang-chen-Dzonga National Park. For permission to visit these places please contact: Chief Wildlife Warden (Wildlife), Forest Secretariat, Deorali, Gangtok.
Aritar:-
About four hours drive from Gangtok is Aritar. The Aritar Lake (Ghati- Tso) is worth visiting. For those interested in spending a night or two in the peaceful environment, a trekker’s hut, few lodges and a private resort is available at Aritar. Other attractions are visiting and exploring the way of living of the villages and also visit to monasteries like Lingsay Monastery etc. A short trek in and around Aritar is also possible.
A night spend in an old British-built bungalow of 1895 located half km below the lake could be an enthralling experience. You may contact a registered travel agency.