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| Gangtok | ||||||||||
| The eastern state of Sikkim lies couched between the borders of Nepal and Bhutan. Gangtok became the capital of the state in the 19th century and lies to the south of the district of East Sikkim. It is a hilly town and spreads down the western side of a long ridge flanking the Ranipul River. The entire Kanchenjunga range can be viewed from the town and, in fact, it is worshipped as a local deity. It is at a distance of 721 km from Calcutta, 584 km from Patna, 140 km from Darjeeling and 589 km from Guwahati. The town experiences a lot of rainfall throughout the year and temperatures are mild. | ||||||||||
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For the adventure tourist Gangtok is the place to be at. While at the hill resort of Gangtok you may indulge in adventure activities like trekking, white-water rafting, hang gliding, yak safari, and mountain biking. Gangtok offers interesting treks to the Dzongri, Thangshing, Zemathang, Chaurigang, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang and Sikip. The state tourism department of Sikkim has been promoting the adventure tourism potential of Gangtok.Gangtok experiences a lot of rainfall throughout the year and temperatures are mild. |
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The best time to visit Gangtok is between the months of October and
March. Places To See in Gangtok Ganesh Tok & Pinetum Up in the top of the ridge, near Himalayan Zoological Park (Bulbulley) is Ganesh Tok which is 7 kms from Gangtok. A small temple of Lord Ganesh rests on this beautiful hilltop with a size that can hold only a person who has to crawl to get inside it. A sip of coffee on a chill hilltop available in a cafeteria nearby adds warmth to your visit on a cold winter day. Pinetum garden rests nearby giving one a memorable experience of a walk amidst the smell of pine treesFrom this spot, one gets a bird’s eye view of sprawling Gangtok ,a sight you can never miss from here at night when the city comes alive with lights as if stars twinkling in the distant sky while Mt. Kanchendzonga and Mt. Sinolchu gazes over the horizon. One can also get the spectacular view of other parts of Sikkim like Pakyong, Rumtek, Ranipool, Tinjurey, Ranka and Luing. Hanuman Tok Hanuman Tok, a name derived from a small temple of Ganesha situated here is at an altitude of about 6200 feet and is about 11 Kms from Gangtok town. Everyday lots of devotees come and offer prayer. Also frequented by young lovers the silence here is naturally romantic .Besides it also has a zoological park managed by the forest department which is now a home to the rare endangered species of the state. 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 Mount Khangchendzonga and Mt. Sinolchu, one of the most graceful peaks in the world Himalayan Zoological Park Himalayan Zoological Park also known as Bulbuley is about 8 Kms away from Gangtok. Established and maintained by the Department of Forest and spreading across an area of 205 hectares this park has a collection of rare rhododendrons. There is a paved cement path that passes by fenced open air enclosure housing the Red Pandas, barking Deer, spotted deer, bears in a semi natural habitat. Inside the park one gets to see rare and endangered species of butterflies. The Park echo to the sound of the Barking Deer which share its habitat with the adorable little Red Panda ( also the State animal”), the Musk Deer, Leopard cats and flying squirrels, Himalayan Black Beer, Fox, Jackal and many more. Gangtok Ropeway With the lower terminal station at Deorali,the intermediate terminal at Nam-Nang and the upper 39 terminal station below Secretariat the cabin has a capacity of 24 passengers .One can truly enjoy the panoramic view and a thrilling ride as the ropeway traverses the city from Nam-Nang to Deorali ,a distance of a kilometer in only 1 minute. Hur-Huray Dara:(Nam-Nang) Famous for a view point ,this place is ideal to sit and relax.The sight of lush green dense forest and streams meandering through the valleys, one can imagine of a farmer singing to his cattle in the distant village. Do- Drul Chorten One of the most important Stupas of Sikkim built by Trulsi Rimponche, head of the Nyingma order containing rare Mandalas of Dorjee Phurpa(Bara Kilaya),holy books, mantras and encircled by 108 prayer wheels is at distance of a kilometer from the heart of the capital. For the adventure lovers there is a cable car that leads to the chorten thus giving one an opportunity of flying over the hills. Research Institute of Tibetology: Worldwide centre for study of Buddhists philosophy and religion ,a treasure house of rare Thankas, statues, over 200 Buddhists icons and prizes and other objects of art. TSOMGO Lake It literally means “Source of the Lake” in Bhutia language. Just about 40 kms away form Gangtok; the capital of the State, this serene lake is situated at an altitude of 3780 meters. The lake is about 1 km long, Oval in shape, 15 meters deep and is considered sacred by the local people. This placid lake remains frozen during the winter months up to mid-May during which visitors get an opportunity to experience snowfall. NATHULA Pass The Indo-China border at Jawahar Lal Nehru Road at 54 kms from Gangtok lies Nathula whereby Indian troops and the Red army stand face to face. At an altitude of 14790 ft, it's the closest an Indian Tourist can travel and pose a photo or two with the Red Army. Nathula means the whistling pass. Tourist visit is restricted and one needs to be applied at least 24 hrs in advance for permit. The days permitted to visit Nathula are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays and permissible for Indian Tourists only. Nathula has moderately shallow, somewhat excessively drained, coarse-loamy soils on steep slope (30-50%) with gravelly loamy surface; moderate erosion and moderate stoniness Nathula gives a clear picture of the Dry Alpine Forest, The Vegetation in this zone is practically of scattered shrubs, often barren and snow covered at higher elevations. Some dominant species are, Dwarf Rhododendrons i.e. Rhododendron anthopogon, R.setosum, Juniperus, etc. while the meadows consist primarily of the genera Poa, Aemone, Meconopsis, Pedicularis, Potentila, Primula, Aconitum, Delphinium, Caltha, Bergenia, Heracleum, Iris, Hedychium, Myricaria bistorta etc. The region has a short four-month growing season during which grasses, sedges and medicinal herbs grow abundantly supporting a host of insect fauna as well as the wild and domestic herbivores, larks and finches. There are no permanent settlements. Human population consists of a small number of nomadic Tibetan graziers or ‘Dokpas’ (who herd yak, sheep and pasmina-type goats) and large number of Defence personnel as the area forms the international border with Tibet (China). Closure of the border to trans-humans over the last three+ decades has led to intense grazing pressure by both the domestic and wild herbivores on the land. The area also suffers from the presence of landmines causing casualties among yak, Nayan, Kiang and Tibetan wolf. Existence of feral dogs is a major hazard in this region. This ecoregion is the most threatened as it contains mostly endangered species. Dominant among these are Kiang, Nayan, Tibetan Gazelle, Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Snowcock, Lammergeier, Raven, Golden Eagle and Ruddy Shelduck. Bird life is represented by different types of laughing thrushes in shrubs and on the forest floor; the ubiquitous blue whistling thrush, redstarts and forktails near waterfalls and hill-streams; mixed hunting parties comprising small species such as warblers, tit-babblers, tree-creepers, white-eyes, wrens, rose finches, yellow- bellied fantail flycatchers; raptors such as black eagle, black winged kite and kestrel patrolling the skies and pheasants such as monals and blood pheasant, now becoming rare. Rumtek Monastery About a 45-minute drive away on the hill frm Gangtok is the Rumtek Monastery , the headquarter of the Dharma Chakra Centre, and the seat of His Holiness,the Gyalwa Karmapa,Head of the Kagyurpa order of Tibetan Buddhism sect.Said to be the replica of the monastery of Tsurpu,Tibet with its traditional architecture ,exquisite paintings and intricate woodwork and housing treasures of manuscript and icons- this is a splendid example of Tibetan monastic art.Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karma Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies,which attracts students from the world over.Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded chorten the Golden Stupa,which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness,the XVI Gyalwa Karmapa. . |
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