Article by Mr. Shankara Narayanan
Reaching Gangtok. If You are Travelling By Train Your Nearest rail Station is New Jalpaiguri ( West Bengal)
Buy Air ; the nearest Airport is Bagdogra, again very near to New Jalpaiguri
From both the places you get buses and Share taxis to Gangtok All fixed rates. No cheating. The Road transport goes Via Siliguri.
The road transport takes you Via National High way 31 A,a distance of Approximately 140 Kms goes via Sevoke,Dur bandara, Melli, Rangpo, Namthang, Singtam, ( the ascent is appreciable from here), Ranipool and Gangtok. The entire journey is along the River bed Teesta .
This stretch is a feast to your eyes and don’t forget to freeze it with a Camera.
Upon reaching Gangtok , take a walk around the bus stand area , to get feel of the land , you would love it. Then Climb up to Mall road , and you get a feeling that you are out of India. Gangtok , is an unpolluted, clean , plastic free city,
but with Narrow roads, steep steps.
The palace of the former Chogyal, and the impressive Royal Chapel are lower down along the ridge. Then there is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, an Orchid Sanctuary and a large chorten (Tibetan stupa) with an adjoining gompa.
If you are an engineering tourist , stroll down to see the Micro Hydel Projects, which are plenty in Sikkim.
The sun sets very early say by 1600 hrs and it is better you complete your Dinner. There is a lovely Marwadi , Vegetarian restaurant in Mall road. For Those who like NV food , the choices are unlimited, with Wine. By the way Liquor is the cheapest.
Next day you can start your Journey to Rumtek , which houses , Rumtek Monastery and Institute of Buddish studies. Though the distance is just around 40 Kms , it would take a solid 1 Hr and 30 Mts perhaps more.
This Rumtek monestry is one of the Holiest monastery of Buddhism and said to house the Black Hat of Budhha, It also houses the Samadhi of Buddish saints. You Need at least 2 Hrs to Go round the Monastery. On Your way back to Gangtok, You should travel Via Lumd Ding Monastery. It is a spic and span, absolutely silent place. If You are lucky you can get free food.
Other Places of Interest In Gangtok.Tsuklakhang- The most important monastery and the Royal Chapel ( of Namgyals, The Rules of Sikkim) This building itself a beautiful one and would need an Hour to enjoy.
Institute Of Tibetology : A centre for Studies and research in Tibetian Studies.Has an excellent collection of Books , Manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism.
Just adjacent to this Tibetology is the Orchid Sanctuary , which housed more than 500 varieties .
Cottage Industries Institute: To learn about the handicrafts, wood carvings, Paintings , hand over carpets , Bambooware and Pan , a liqueur made from Betal leaves.
Just past the Secretariat is the deer Sanctuary . Best place to sit silently for hours and to meditate.
Take little step of 9 Km to Tashi View Point, to get a Magnificient view of Kanchenjoonga. It is better to Visit this place early in the morning well before Sunrise , so that you can se ethe snow clad peaks Glowing like gold.
Reaching Gangtok. If You are Travelling By Train Your Nearest rail Station is New Jalpaiguri ( West Bengal)
Buy Air ; the nearest Airport is Bagdogra, again very near to New Jalpaiguri
From both the places you get buses and Share taxis to Gangtok All fixed rates. No cheating. The Road transport goes Via Siliguri.
The road transport takes you Via National High way 31 A,a distance of Approximately 140 Kms goes via Sevoke,Dur bandara, Melli, Rangpo, Namthang, Singtam, ( the ascent is appreciable from here), Ranipool and Gangtok. The entire journey is along the River bed Teesta .
This stretch is a feast to your eyes and don’t forget to freeze it with a Camera.
Upon reaching Gangtok , take a walk around the bus stand area , to get feel of the land , you would love it. Then Climb up to Mall road , and you get a feeling that you are out of India. Gangtok , is an unpolluted, clean , plastic free city,
but with Narrow roads, steep steps.
The palace of the former Chogyal, and the impressive Royal Chapel are lower down along the ridge. Then there is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, an Orchid Sanctuary and a large chorten (Tibetan stupa) with an adjoining gompa.
If you are an engineering tourist , stroll down to see the Micro Hydel Projects, which are plenty in Sikkim.
The sun sets very early say by 1600 hrs and it is better you complete your Dinner. There is a lovely Marwadi , Vegetarian restaurant in Mall road. For Those who like NV food , the choices are unlimited, with Wine. By the way Liquor is the cheapest.
Next day you can start your Journey to Rumtek , which houses , Rumtek Monastery and Institute of Buddish studies. Though the distance is just around 40 Kms , it would take a solid 1 Hr and 30 Mts perhaps more.
This Rumtek monestry is one of the Holiest monastery of Buddhism and said to house the Black Hat of Budhha, It also houses the Samadhi of Buddish saints. You Need at least 2 Hrs to Go round the Monastery. On Your way back to Gangtok, You should travel Via Lumd Ding Monastery. It is a spic and span, absolutely silent place. If You are lucky you can get free food.
Other Places of Interest In Gangtok.Tsuklakhang- The most important monastery and the Royal Chapel ( of Namgyals, The Rules of Sikkim) This building itself a beautiful one and would need an Hour to enjoy.
Institute Of Tibetology : A centre for Studies and research in Tibetian Studies.Has an excellent collection of Books , Manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism.
Just adjacent to this Tibetology is the Orchid Sanctuary , which housed more than 500 varieties .
Cottage Industries Institute: To learn about the handicrafts, wood carvings, Paintings , hand over carpets , Bambooware and Pan , a liqueur made from Betal leaves.
Just past the Secretariat is the deer Sanctuary . Best place to sit silently for hours and to meditate.
Take little step of 9 Km to Tashi View Point, to get a Magnificient view of Kanchenjoonga. It is better to Visit this place early in the morning well before Sunrise , so that you can se ethe snow clad peaks Glowing like gold.
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