About 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 , 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. |
