Capital
:
Gangtok
Language : Nepali
Tourist
season : March to August
Area : 7290 sq Km
The tiny state of Sikkim is cradled by Bhutan on the
east, Nepal on the west and Tibet on the north. Sikkim
is situated amongst the highest peaks of the Eastern
Himalayas, along the higher reaches of the Tista River
Valley. An independent kingdom till 1975, Sikkim thereafter
joined the Indian Territory to become the 22nd state
of the Indian Union.
Tourist Attraction of Sikkim
Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo lake is only 40 kms. from Gangtok town and is
situated at an altitude of 12,210 ft.
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre
:
The seat of the 17th Gyalwa Karma, late His Holiness
Rangjung Rigpae Dorjee, it is believed that the monastery,
built in 1960 is a replica of the original Kagyurpa
Monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet. ( 24 kms from Gangtok).
Shri Nalanda Institute for
Higher Buddhist Studies
Initiated by the late 16th Karmapa, the institute in
housed in the adjoining building of the Rumtek Monastery.
The Jamyang Khang Primary School meant for 5 years of
primary monastic studies is also located here.
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical
Garden
Very close by to Rumtek Monastery, and maintained by
the parks and Gardens unit of the Forest Department
of the Government of Sikkim, the Garden is an enchanting
and soothing experience among the lush green vegetation,
rare plants and trees and certain species of Himalayan
flowers and Orchids.
Permanent Flower Show
White Hall, Close by the White Memorial Hall and just
below the Palace Ridge park is the more recent Flower
Show Hall. In recent years this show has become quite
popular and famous as there are flower exhibitions throughout
the year in accordance with the seasons and the flowers
in bloom.
Enchey Monastery
An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey Monastery
meaning the Solitary temple, was originally built with
the solace that no other construction would be allowed
near it is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob
Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying powers.
This 200-year-old Monastery has in its premises images
of god, 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 Sinolchu Tourist Lodge, 3 kms
from Gangtok Town.
Hanuman Tok
It is approximately 5½ km. from Gangtok town. A temple
of God Hanuman, worshipped by the Hindus. Besides offering
prayers, one can enjoy the scenic beauty of Gangtok
town and have a satisfying glimpse of Mt Kanchendzonga,
which is snow clad.
Tashi View Point
Built by the late King of Sikkim Sri. Tashi Namgyal,
it is situated 4 km from Gangtok town from where one
can have a clear view of opposite hills, besides Mt.
Kanchandzonga. This site offers a breathtaking panorama
of the majestic Mt.Kanchandzonga and surrounding hills.
Ganesh Tok
It is a very small temple of Ganesh, a God worshipped
by Hindus. It is on a hillock on Gangtok-Nathula Road.
A Sikkim Government nursery is just nearby.
Saramsa Garden
About 14 kms from Gangtok
is the Saramsa Garden, the home of Sikkim's most 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.
Water Garden
Water Garden at Martam Khola is on the 31-A National
Highway some 16 kms. south of Gangtok. It is an ideal
spot for picnic with a small swimming pool for children.
Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre
It is a Tibetan refugee monastic institution established
in 1961 by his Eminence Luding Khen Rimpoche, Head of
Ngorpa, sub-sect of the Sakya Order, with the blessing
of H.H. Sakya Trizin and H.H. the Dalai Lama. This is
the only monastery of the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism
in Sikkim. It is located on a beautiful hill-top just
5 kms away from Gangtok Sikkim.
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