Gangtok City Travel Guide -
Sikkim
General Information Of
Gangtok
-
Population 25024
-
Altitude 1547 m
-
Languages Nepali,
Sikkimese, Bhutia, Lepcha, Hindi, English
-
Best Time to Visit
Throughout the year
STD Code 03592
|
 |
Introduction to city Gangtok -
In Sikkim
Gangtok is the capital city Sikkim, the second smallest state of
India. Famous for its many important monasteries, and for the
picturesque views of the Himalayas, Gangtok is one of the
important hill station of the country. In Gangtok you can see a
smooth blend of both tradition and modernity. Located at an
altitude of 1547 m above sea level, Gangtok houses some of the
important Buddhist religious sites too. The existence of the
peaceful Chortens or Stupas, old monasteries and the unspoilt
natural beauty of Gangtok offers you a truly unique travelling
experience.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in
destination - Gangtok
The list of attractions in Gangtok is endless. The small town
itself is a beautiful place to move around. It houses sites like
the most important ’stupa’ of Sikkim, the Do Drul Chorten,
the solitary temple or the Enchey monastery, the
marvellous collection of orchids in the Orchid Sanctuary and the
picturesque Tashi Ling that provides an astounding view
of the Kanchenjunga range. The Namgyal Institute of Research
and the Tsuk la Khang, a depository of a large collection
of scriptures and the principal place of worship for the local
Buddhists, are some of the other places that are worth visiting.
Gangtok Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Gangtok
|
|
Places to visit in the city Gangtok |
DO DRUL CHORTEN - Gangtok
|
|
Do Drul Chorten is one of the many important attractions
of Gangtok. It is regarded as the most important \’stupa\’
of Sikkim. Built in 1945 by Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the
Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, this stupa also has
sacred gold-topped shikhara with 108 prayer wheels. This
highly revered Chorten is also characterised by complete
mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of
Kan-gyur relics ( Holy Books), complete \’Zung\’( mantras)
and other religious objects. The Chorten also has two huge
statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) around it.
|
|
|
ENCHEY MONASTERY - Gangtok
|
|
Enchey monastery is another place you must visit in
Gangtok. The Enchey monastery literally means the solitary
temple. At the time it was constructed, it was the only
building in the entire area. This place especially
attracts attention during the religious dances or
\’Chaam\’ performed in January. Located above Siniolchu
Lodge, about 3 km away from the town centre, the
relatively small monastery was built 200 years ago and the
present building was constructed in the year 1909. The
site where the monastery is built is supposed to be
blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for
his flying powers. You can also get wonderful view of
Kanchenjunga from here. |
|
|
ORCHID SANCTUARY - Gangtok
|
|
The Orchid Sanctuary makes a must visit in Gangtok. The
sanctuary is famous for its rare and extensive collection
of orchids. The sanctuary\’s collection also varies
depending on the seasons. However, the wide spread orchid
sanctuary has almost 454 species of orchid found in Sikkim.
A interesting place to visit especially for nature lovers.
|
|
|
TASHI LING - Gangtok
|
|
Tashi Ling is located at a distance of just 6 kilometres
from the main town. The Tashi Ling is another important
site to visit in Gangtok for it provides astounding view
of the Kanchenjunga range. Here lies the Tashi Ling
monastery mostly known for its \’Bumchu\’ (Sacred Pot).
This pot contains holy water which has never run dry for
last 300 years. The place also provides view of the the
Phodong and the Labrang monasteries located on the
opposite hill. Just a day\’s walk from Pemayangtse, this
is also a wonderful picnic spot. |
|
|
NAMGYAL INSTITUTE -
Gangtok
|
|
A must visit in Gangtok, the Namgyal Institute was built
in the year 1958 to promote research in Mahayan Buddhism
and Tibetan language and traditions. Built in a
traditional style, this institute has world\’s largest
collections of books and rare manuscripts on Mahayan
Buddhism, in addition to the works of art and silk
embroidered Tankhas. Moreover, it also houses relics of
monks, samples of Lepcha scripts, masks and sacred objects
like Kapali, a bowl made from a human skull, and the carku,
a flute made from a thigh bone. |
|
|
TSUK LA KHANG - Gangtok
|
|
Another place that must be included in your sightseeing is
the Tsuk la Khang. A depository of a large collection of
scriptures, this is the principal place of worship and
assembly for the local Buddhists. The Tsuk la Khang is
also characterised by the beautiful and impressive
building with mural covered interior, lavishly decorated
altars or images of Buddha, bodhisattvas and Tantric
deities and the many fine works of woodcarving. The Tsuk
la Khang remains open for the general public and tourists
during Losar, the famous dance festival. |
|
Excursions : Places nearby city
- Gangtok
Gangtok has a number of interesting sites that you can include
in your excursion. Some of the destinations are related to the
Buddhist religion while others are simply picturesque, deserving
an admiring look. However, the Rumtek Monastery, which is
the largest monastery of its kind in Sikkim and the Phodong
Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries in the
region, needs a mention here. These places are easily accessible
from the Gangtok town
Gangtok Excursion : Places
nearby Gangtok - Sikkim
|
|
Places to visit nearby destination - Gangtok |
|
Phodong Monastery
|
|
Located at a distance of 28 kilometres North of Sikkim,
the Phodong Monastery is another must visit in your
excursion. This is regarded as the most beautiful
monastery of Sikkim. It has around 260 monks and some old
mural paintings. Many people come here to visit the temple
during the festival time. |
|
|
Rumtek Monastery
|
|
Located at a distance of about 24 kilometres from Gangtok,
the Rumtek monastery is one of the many must visit
excursion points around Gangtok. The ancient monastery was
built in 1717 but didn't survive for long. It was built
again by Gyalwa Karmapa in the year 1960 and followed the
architectural designs of the monastery in Tibet, from
where the Karmapa had come. The monastery is also
characterised by the structure covered with murals,
Tibetan paintings, Tankhas and frescoes. The monastery is
also the largest in Sikkim, sprawling over a wide area.
|
|
|
