Gangtok

The capital city of Gangtok is the pride of Sikkim. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and deep misty valleys, Gangtok is an ideal place to watch the towering Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks light up brilliantly as the sun rises every morning. The sparkling snow-capped mountains are an awe-inspiring sight. In and around Gangtok is a collection of choice monasteries. The royal chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang, is the principle place of worship and a repository of a number of Buddhist scriptures. The place is beautifully decorated, and is also the site of many important festivals. The Institute of Tibetology is certainly a unique institution containing thousands of books and manuscripts on a number of religious subjects especially on Mahayana Buddhism. Nearby is a lovely orchidarium with a wide range of more than four hundred species of orchids.

ACCESS

The nearest airport is Bagdogra in North Bengal (124 km), from where the journey to Gangtok takes about 5 hours by road. Two close railheads are Siliguri (114 km) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km), from where one can proceed by road. Gangtok is well connected by road to other important places in the north-east and other nearby states.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Raj Bhawan and the Secretariat complex. Tsuk-La-Khang, with images of the Buddha and the Bodhisatvas, it also contains some beautiful wood carvings. This royal chapel holds many important festival celebrations such as the one to the God of Khangchendzonga, and the Black Hat dance signifying the triumph of good over evil. Then there is the Institute of Tibetology engaged in research on the language and traditions of Tibet as well as into Mahayana Buddhism. The 200-year old Enchey Monastery is also worth a visit. The Deer Park has deer and an image of the Buddha. A colourful and interesting display of traditional handicrafts and hand woven woollens can be seen at the Institute of Cottage Industries. Gangtok has its own quaint little bazaar called the Lall Market.

EXCURSIONS

About 115 km from Gangtok stands the Pemayangtse Monastery. Situated at a height of 2,085 meters, the monastery belongs to the Nyingma-ya sect initiated by Padma Sambhava in the 8th century. A Buddha scroll as big as 20 feet by 30 feet is displayed here at the annual Chaam dance festival. Yuksam (40 km) is where the first Chogyal Phuntsok Namgyal of Sikkim was consecrated by three learned lamas. Rumtek Monastery, 24 km away, is the seat of the head of the Kagyu-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It has an interesting display of Tibetan style of religious paintings. Situated at a distance of 33 km is the beautiful and sacred Lake Khecheopalri. Belief goes that here one's wishes are sure to be fulfilled. The Tashiding Monastery, a day's trek from Pemayangtse, is also one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim. And, offering a close view of Mt Khangchendzonga is Dzongri, a trek from Pemayangtse.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Tashi Delek (4-star), Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Gangtok 737101. Sikkim. Phones: 22991, 22038, 23178, 24155/56/57/58. Cable: TASHIDELEK. Telex: 264-233. Fax: 03592-22362.

Nor-Khill,Paljor Stadium Road, Gangtok 737101. Phones: 3186, 3187.