Sikkim
Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Sikkim
is a Himalayan wonderland with its lovely views and exotic
orchids, and its forest-trails. A virtual Shangrila overlooked
by Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, Sikkim
is attractive equally for the sightseer, the adventure
sports enthusiast and those interested in Buddhism and
Tibetology. Buddhism is the predominant religion here,
with many fine old monasteries rich with frescoes, religious
paintings on silk and statues of the Buddha’s various
incarnations. In Gangtok, the delightfully quaint capital, are
pagoda like roofs of many buildings and the presence of
crimson robed monks in the bazaars. The Institute of Tibetology,
the only one of its kind in the world, was set up by the
erstwhile ruler to promote research on Mahayana Buddhism.
Lower down the hill is the famed orchid sanctuary where
500 species of orchids indigenous to Sikkim are cultivated.
Sikkim offers several treks that lead through pine forests,
through picturesque valleys, monasteries and to mountain
lakes. It is also the base for mountaineering expeditions
and the rivers Teesta and Rangeet offer excellent river
rafting. A number of good hotels and lodging houses exist
in Gangtok.
Gangtok
Entry to Sikkim is most convenient by coach, taxi or helicopter.
The state of Sikkim lies in the shadow of the mighty Kanchenjunga
and its capital, Gangtok, is a picturesque mountain clinging
town with monasteries, parks, pagoda style houses and
colorful bazaars.
Altitude: 5800 ft (1,547 meters). Climate (deg.c.):
Summer- Max. 20.7, Min. 13.1. Winter- Max. 14.9, Min.
7.7.Clothing: Summer- Light woolens,
Winter- Heavy woolens. Languages spoken: Sikimese, English. Best Season: March
to late May, October to Mid-December.
Places Of Interest:
Chorten, Deer park, Enchey Monastery, Government Cottage
Industries Institute, Orchid Sanctuary, Research Institute
of Tibetology, Tashi View Point, Dharma Chakra Centre
(Rumtek) and Saramsa Garden. Proposed Ganesh Tok & Hanuman
Tok.
Excursions:
Bakkhim, Dzongri, Pemayangtse Monastery.
Reach -
By Air: Nearest Airport is Bagdogra- 124 kms.
By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Siliguri-
114 kms, New Jalpaiguri (NJP) 125- kms.
By Road: Siliguri- 114 kms, Calcutta- 725 kms, Darjeeling- 139
kms and Guwahati- 589 kms
Pemayangtse
Pemayangtse in Sikkim nestles close to Kanchenjunga. Pemayangtse
is where 6000 ft above sea level one of the most famous
Buddhist monasteries is located. The Pemayangtse monastery
is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim and is the headquarters
of the Nyingma sect. Many priceless antique idols are
housed her containing some magnificent sculptures. The
monastery suggest the feel of space and airiness From
the monastery one can also see the ruins of the first
palace of the Chogyals at Gezing where only a chorten
and a bit of masonry have been left, though excavations
could reveal more. On one side of the monastery are some
typical old stone and wooden dwellings decorated with
wooden carvings. The Pemayangtse monastery, an oasis of
serenity and a repository of centuries-old wisdom and
scriptures, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and passes,
is where you feel time is frozen in a frame of yesteryears.
The evergreen shrubs of rhododendron, with those large
clusters of trumpet shaped flowers can be seen blooming
everywhere, and yaks and musk deer and red pandas follow
you around the terrain.
