Places to Visit in Sikkim

ParksThe Ridge Park stretches from the Main Palace Gate to the White Hall. A long idyllic stretch lined by the beautiful cherry trees that in season burst into flower in a profusion of delicate pink blossoms, this is the perpetual haunt of the jogging enthusiasts. Meanwhile honeymooners prefer to catch the first rays of an early dawn from here or just rest on the public benches, enjoying the tranquility under the cool shadows of the cherry trees. You can watch a plethora of sports being practiced in the nearby Guards Ground. The flamboyant marquee or 'Hawa Ghar' with ornate design holds sway over the Park where you can laze around or watch the local children romp exuberantly. The Flower Festival which is held year round is just a short walk down.


PICNIC SPOTS

Saramsa which is home to the Ipecac Garden is another popular touristical destination that is a mere14kms away from Gangtok. Home to many rare orchids and other flora, its shady lawns often play host to picnic parties. Alternatively you can play an inspired game of volleyball or football but you must carry the ball yourself. The more adventurous can brave a steep trip down to the nearby river. There is even a place where one can cook one's meals, as locals are wont to do.

TheWater Garden, only a little further away at 16 kms is another alternative worth exploring. Cool off in the small and sheltered swimming pool there. Or else clamber over rocks in the vicinity and dip your feet in the river. If you're lucky you can watch local anglers, young and old, balanced precariously on rocks, trying to haul in the local fish with improvised fishing rods. You can get them to sell you the catch of the day. The fish tastes delicious plain fried.
Sight- seeing


MONUMENTS

Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology
It was Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the last monarch of Sikkim who realized a long cherished dream when he set up this Institute. HH The Dalai Lama laid the foundation stone of the NIT which is done in typical Tibetan architectural style in Feb 1957. The following year Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the NIT.

The serene wooded environ of the NIT is the perfect backdrop for the research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has a rich collection of rare books and manuscripts, 'thankas' and statues. Those of interested in getting a more meaningful insight into Tibetan Buddhism can peruse the coins, statues and thankas on display therein. One can also purchase books and commercial versions of religious art and craft of Tibet from the retail counter there.

On April 4th this year, the Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal Memorial Park was inaugurated in the NIT complex. This houses a statue of the late Chogyal in picturesque surroundings

Do-drul Chorten
The Do-drul Chorten is one of the most important Chortens or stupas of Sikkim that is exquisite as it is sacred. It was built in 1945 by Trulshik Rimpoche, a great teacher and interpreter of Buddhism. There are 108 Mani Lhakor ( Prayer Wheels) around the Chorten. Devotees of all ages throng the Chorten and set these in motion, all the time chanting the sacred 'Om Mane Padme Hum' mantra. Please remember to circumambulate the Chorten in the clockwise direction only.


In the nearby 'Chorten Lhakhang' and 'Guru Lhakhang' you will find two huge statues of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche.

Enchey Monastery
Enchey monastery straddles a forested ridge above Gangtok, offering a splendid view of the town. This 200 year old monastery is built on a site blessed by the great Tantric master, Lama Drutob Karpo who was famed for his levitational powers. Gangtokians give Enchey a special status in terms of importance.

Ganesh Tok
At 6500 ft, this small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh commands the pride of place on top of a ridge. About 7 kms from Gangtok, this merits a visit for the magnificent view it proffers of Gangtok town set against the backdrop of the lofty mountains. The wind whips at your hair as the view takes your breath away. You get beverages and snacks at the Cafeteria below. Closeby lies the Smriti Van where you can plant a sapling in memory of a loved one, safe in the knowledge that it will bloom in the unspoiled environment.

Hanuman Tok
Even higher up at 7500 ft is the Hanuman temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Legend has it that the temple has wish fulfilling powers. This is Developed by the Indian Army. In close proximity is the Royal Cremation Grounds of Lukshyama where the members of the Namgyal dynasty were cremated.


VIEW POINTS

Tashi View Point
If you travel just 8 kms from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway, you arrive at Tashi View Point. Mount the few steps up to the view point to a stupendous and unparalleled view of the mountain ranges, particularly Mt.Khangchendzonga and Mt.Siniolchu. You can catch a glimpse of Phodong and Labrang monasteries as well. All shutterbugs, professional or amateur, set out for Tashi View Point at the cock crow hour in the morning to capture on film the panoramic splendours of the mountains before they are veiled over by clouds vying for attention.

The cafeteria run by 'Agya' is worth checking out for its hot coffee and snacks, as is the park above the viewpoint. You can have a leisurely picnic here.

Hurhuray Dara
Located near the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in Namnang, the recently anointed Hurhuray Dara or the view point at Namnang offers a Nature Walk along the cliffside tempered by a view of the Bhushuk Chhu (river) snaking through the valley below. The ropeway/ cable car that connects Deorali with Tashiling Secretariat is also nearing completion.


DAY TRIPS

Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre
45 minutes and a 24 kms drive away on the hill facing Gangtok is the world famous Rumtek monastery. The seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, it is an almost exact replica of the original monastery in Tibet. When the Chinese overran Tibet in the 1950’s the Karmapa settled in Sikkim and in 1960 he built Rumtek monastery.
The Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies located in its complex is a world famous center.
Old Rumtek monastery is a fifteen minute walk downhill from the main monastery. You could stay overnight at the nearby Shambhala Tourist Resort that has seemingly rustic huts but surprise, they offer you the most modern amenities!

Nehru Botanical Garden
On the way to Rumtek is the Nehru Botanical Garden that boasts a virgin temperate forestland with as many as 50 different types of trees and a huge greenhouse full of exotic orchids. Children can play in the small park in the garden premises. The cement footpath entices one to take a leisurely stroll through the garden.

Pal Karmae Zurmang Kagyud Monastery
This monastery is the seat of the present Gharwang Rimpoche who is the only Sikkimese Rinpoche who can boast of having such a large monastery at a relatively young age. It is located at Lingdum, about 20 kms from Gangtok. It is worth visiting for its exquisite monastic architecture and immaculate layout.

Tso-mgo Lake
A must see in every tourist’s iterinary is the Tso-mgo Lake or ‘Source of the Lake’, a real Jewel in the Crown. The rigours of the 2 hour 40 kms drive pale in the face of the unparalleled beauty of the lake. The lake, which is fed by melting snow, freezes over in the bitterly cold winter. One of the several sacred lakes in Sikkim, it is said that the lamas could forecast the future from the colour of the lake’s water. Please respect the sanctity of the lake.

You can enjoy the uncommon pleasure of riding the gaily caparisoned yaks here. The shops that dot one side of the lake sell everything from piping hot tea to incredibly affordable fleece jackets. The Tourism Minister recently inaugurated the Tso-mgo car park, the first phase of the development and beautification of Tso-mgo lake area with the twin objectives of promoting eco-tourism and preserving the sanctity of the lake. This has to be the first full-fledged car park at this altitude of 12,310 ft, with a capacity of 50 cars at one time.
Please note that Tso-mgo Lake being a restriced area, you require an Inner Line Permit issued by the Police Department.

Baba Harbajan Singh Memorial
Built in memory of a Sepoy in the 23rd Punjab Regiment, the Baba Mandir lies between the Nathula and Jelepla passes. The sepoy drowned in a stream and later appeared in a dream to one of his colleagues where he requested that a temple be built in his memory.

Though long dead, people believe that the sepoy stands guard over them. It is said that his crisply ironed uniforms are mysteriously wrinkled at the end of the day. His salary is sent home to Punjab and once a year, he goes on leave to his home. A soldier of the regiment accompanies his uniform in the train to his hometown. People believe that by placing their slippers and a bottle of water here, they are cured of backaches. You also get a free lunch during the ‘Langar’on Sundays.

Nathula Pass
Nathula at an altitude of 14,200 ft borders India and China has to be the most exciting destination. Long inaccessible to the tourist, it is now open to domestic tourists on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. This is part of the fabled Silk route, the gateway to Tibet where mule trains carried commodities of exchange between Tibet and India.

You can actually sight Chinese soldiers in their trademark green uniforms across the barbed fence, the vast expanse of Tibet looming mysteriously beyond them. The high altitude makes breathing difficult so heart patients and people who suffer high altitude sickness are advised to avoid this trip. You require a special permit to visit Nathula that your local travel agent can arrange for you.

Aritar
Aritar is 4 hours away from Gangtok and the perfect place to rejuvenate oneself in the peace here. There are trekker’s huts, a private resort and a few lodges. You can ask your travel agent to arrange for a night’s stay in the old British Dak Bungalow located below the Aritar Lake. See how the Sikkimese villagers live and visit the monasteries nearby.


WILDLIFE

Bulbuley Zoological Park
Just above Ganesh Tok, Bulbuley Zoological Park has animals living in open enclosures in their natural habitat. Cars are allowed in only upto a certain point on payment of fees. If you intend to hike it up, you had better be in top physical form because the distances between the habitats of the animals are quite long and it can get tiring after some time, especially since you have to hike mostly uphill. But the rewards are superlative. If you are quiet, you might see the furry little Red Panda, the State Animal or the colourful Tragopan Pheasant or even the lumbering Himalayan Black Bear in his domain.
Please do not litter.Live and let live!

Fambang Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
20 kilometers from Gangtok, spanning altitudes of 1280 to 2652mtr., this 51.76 sq. kms Sanctuary is home to Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Barking Deer and Civet-Cat to name a few animals and also a large number of wild orchids and rhododendrons.
The best season to visit the Sanctuary is April and October. You can even spend a night in the log cabin at Golitar and Tumin.
For permission to visit the Sanctuary, you need to contact the Chief Wildlife Warden, Forest Secretariat, Deorali.

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
26 kms away from Gangtok on the Nathula road, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is at its best in May-August. Here the small local strawberry dares compete with the profusion of alpine flowers- our famous rhododendrons, primulas and poppies that render the sanctuary ablaze with myriad hues. Many rare and endangered plants are found here, some of which are prized for their medicinal properties. Bamboo thickets are the perfect habitat for the Red Panda who is kept company by animals like musk deer, serow, goral and also a multitude of birds like the Monal Pheasant. Many birds use the sanctuary as a migratory stopover.
Tseten Tashi Cave, named after Sikkim's great orchid lover, rhododendron expert and naturalist is a natural rock formation that also has a small natural water flow on one side is ideal for a small group of naturalists who can make a campfire and watch for wildlife.

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