Best Places To Visit In Sikkim
Sikkim is a small state in northwest India, bordered by
Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Part of the Himalayas, the area has a dramatic
landscape including India’s highest mountain, 8,586m Kanchenjunga. Sikkim is
also home to glaciers, alpine meadows and thousands of varieties of
wildflowers. Steep paths lead to hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as
Pemayangtse, which dates to the early 1700s.
Gangtok ;-
Wreathed in clouds, Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim
is located on a ridge at a height of 5500 feet. With a spectacular view of the
Khangchendzonga, the town provides the perfect base for travel through the
state. Once an important transit point for traders traveling between Tibet and
India, it is today a busy administrative and business centre and presents an
interesting mix of cultures and communities.
Gangtok is a cosmopolitan town which offers the tourist
all possible amenities. Hotels are available in a range of prices along with a
variety of eateries serving cuisine for all tastes. Shopping complexes, cyber
cafes, night clubs and pool parlours abound for those so inclined.
MG Marg, the main street of Gangtok town is a great place
to chill out. The countrys first litter and spit free zone, no vehicular
traffic is allowed into the marg. You can sit at the Titanic Park or at the
various benches stretched across the mall and take in the carnival like
atmosphere, especially during the tourist season. The Mall is lined with shops
on both sides of the road so shopping becomes an added pleasure.
MG Marg is also the venue for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in December each year when Sikkims multi-cultural cuisine, along with music and dance performances are showcased. This event attracts a large number of locals and tourists each year.
MG Marg is also the venue for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in December each year when Sikkims multi-cultural cuisine, along with music and dance performances are showcased. This event attracts a large number of locals and tourists each year.
Monasteries ;-
The secluded green valleys of Sikkim are cuddled in the
lap of the Himalayas. As soon as one lands in Sikkim, they get the feeling of
walking on the green carpets, floating clouds, gigantic mountains, and seamless
paths dotted with colorful Tibetan prayer flags. Feast your eyes on the golden
hues of Kanchenzdonga while you discover splendid waterfalls, sacred lakes,
picturesque village scenes and sequestered monasteries.
The monasteries in Sikkim can soothe one's soul with every bit of spirituality. Some of the famous monasteries in Sikkim are Pemayangtse Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Phodang Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Sanga Chelling Monastery, etc. As per the latest report, there are more than 200 monasteries in Sikkim and most them pass under the judgement of the Nyingma and Kagyu which not only influences cultural heritage but lifestyle of the people as well. It also demonstrates about the ancient rituals and rules which are in vogue.
Monks dressed in red robes, chanting hymns to the rhythm of drums and trumpets while soft lights flicker from decorative lamps placed before statues of the great Guru Padmasambhava. One can feel the peace and closeness to the almighty at this place as the sacred words mingle with the whirring prayer wheels. The exteriors of the monasteries are adorned with the religious Gompas. One can see that the Gompas are decorated with frescoes of hoary Buddhist legends, rare silk and brocade Thangkas. Also preserved here are ancient Tibetan manuscripts, exquisitely carved wood work and icons of silver and gold. Perched on a hill top above Gangtok, these monasteries are rare sites.
It's time to let go! Time to shed inhabitation and
embrace the diversity of India. With the magnificent Kanchenjunga as the
backdrop, Ravangla is the perfect place to laze around with a cup of coffee and
enjoy the best of Sikkim. There are temples, monasteries, sightseeing,
adventure sports; Ravangla is the jack of all trades, and master of many Sikkim
towns. Located in the magical environment of the plush Himalayan forest and
colossal mountains which enhance the skyline, Ravangla is the perfect base for some
of India's finest tourism destinations and treks.
Every year Ravangla attracts tourist in large numbers
because of its exotic flora and fauna, haughty snow mountains, gusting
waterfalls, quaint villages, hospitable villages, picturesque tea gardens, ethnic
culture, old monasteries and fresh atmosphere. What makes Ravangla unique from
other destinations in Sikkim is the Bonn Monastery, Ralang Monastery, old yet
historical market of Kewzing, along with mysterious small caves.
The small town, Namchi is the epitome of culture,
diversity, religion, benevolence, and also depicts the munificence of Sikkim.
Namchi is blessed with welcoming monasteries, traditional temples, lush
greenery, flora, and forests. On a tour to Namchi, tourists can unveil the best
kept secrets of the Himalaya. The beauty of Namchi can't be defined in a single
word or phrase.
'Sky High' is what the meaning of Namchi, and is
completely synonymous as it is located at an elevation of 5,500 ft. As per the
historical facts, once Sikkim was under the reign of the Chogyals. It is
believed that Chogyals were the ones who ruled the both Sikkim and Ladakh.
Legends say that one of the Sikkimese princesses, Pende Ongmoo deceived a
Sikkimese Chogyal. When people of Sikkim got to know about this, they killed
the Sikkimese princess, Pende Ongmoo. The place where the Pend Ongmoo was killed
is believed to be the present day Namchi.
Located on the bank of the Rangit River, KirateshwarMahadev Temple is a must visit religious sight for every tourist on their tour
to Legship, West Sikkim. The temple is located at a distance of 5 km from
Pelling and is connected with Geyzing and Pemayangtse. The temple is dedicated
to Lord Shiva and has lots of tales connected to the Hindu epic, Mahabharata.
According to legends, this is the place where Lord Shiva appeared in front of
Arjuna in the disguise of a hunter and blessed him to attain success in the war
of Mahabharata.
Currently, there is a guest house within the premises of
the temple, and it can accommodate more than 500 people. The temple is at its
liveliest during the months of November and December as the famous festival
Bala Chaturdesi is celebrated during this time.
In far North Sikkim, six hours from Gangtok and 9,000
feet above sea level near the Tibetan/Chinese border, Lachung and the YumthangValley dazzle visitors with dramatic pristine scenery. Lachung served as a
trading post between Sikkim and Tibet before Tibet was annexed by China. Now,
it's the base camp for the renowned Rhododendron Valley Trek from Yumthang
Valley to Lachen Valley. Other attractions in the area are Lachung monastery,
Yumesamdong (Zero Point), and the astonishing high-altitude Gurudongmar Lake
(it's one of the world's highest lakes, at more than 17,000 feet above sea
level).
North Sikkim is a restricted area and it's necessary to obtain a special permit to visit it. You'll need to make your travel arrangements through a registered tour company, which will also organize the permit for you. This can be done in Gangtok. Note that the Yumthang Valley is closed from December and March due to heavy snow, and foreigners are only permitted as far as the Chopta Valley (they cannot visit Gurudongmar Lake).
Comments
Post a Comment