 |
|
      
|
 |
|
INDIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
EAST SIKKIM |
|
An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey
Monastery meaning the Solitary temple, was originally
built with the solace that no other construction would
be allowed near it is built on the site blessed by Lama
Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying
powers. This 200-year-old Monastery has in its premises
images of god, goddesses and other religious objects.
Every year around January 'Chaam' or religious masked
dance is performed with great fanfare for two days. it
is situated adjoining the Sinolchu Tourist Lodge, 3 kms
from Gangtok Town. Enchey Monastery. |
|
White Hall, Close by the White Memorial Hall and just
below the Palace Ridge park is the more recent Flower
Show Hall. In recent years this show has become quite
popular and famous as there are flower exhibitions
throughout the year in accordance with the seasons and
the flowers in bloom. Flower Show - Gangtok. |
|
|
The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the Venerable
Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan
Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa, there are complete
mandala sets of Dorjee
Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics ( Holy
Books), complete 'Zung'(mantras) and other religious
objects. Around this Chorten, which is one of the most
important stupas in Sikkim, are 10
Mani-Lhakor( prayer wheels). These prayer wheels are
turned by the devout Buddhist while chanting "Hail to
the jewel in the Lotus", to invoke the Buddhisattva. The
Chorten is surrounded by
Chorten Lakhang, where there are two huge statues of
Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). Do-Drul Chorten
Stupa. |
|
|
|
It is now known as the Directorate of Handicrafts and
Handlooms as well as the Government Institute of Cottage
Industries. Started during the time of the Chogyals of
Sikkim, as a venture to protect and propagate the craft
and skills of local and village artisans, it has become
on t of the major attractions for people visiting Sikkim
where traditional handcrafts, furniture, handlooms
carpets and other products can be viewed and also
purchased . A word of caution to the innocent guest. It
is better to check whether there is a government holiday
or not as the G.I.C.I. is closed on Sundays, all
government declared holidays, second Saturdays and the
odd unforeseen holidays. |
|
|
|
Formerly known as the Namgyal institute of Tibetology,
after the late Chogyal of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal
whose brainchild it was, the Sikkim Research Institute
of Technology(SRIT), has since become one of the most
prestigious depository of Tibetan literature, rare
manuscripts, paintings, thangkas, statues and religious
objects and other works of art and history. Today, it is
a renowned worldwide centre for study of Buddhist
philosophy and religion. Institute of Tibetology. |
About 14 kms from Gangtok is the Saramsa Garden, the
home of Sikkim's most exotic orchids and other rare
tropical and temperate plants. Established and
maintained by the Department of Forest,
it is an excellent recreation and picnic spot. Orchids
at the Saramsa Garden. and maintained by the Department
of Forest, it is an excellent recreation and picnic
spot. Orchids at the Saramsa
Garden. |
|
|
|
About 45 minutes drive from Gangtok, 24 kms away, is the
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, the seat of the Kagyu
order, one of the 4 major Tibetan Buddhist sects. Since
the late 1960s, after the arrival of His Holiness the
16th Gyalwa Karmapa, the Centre houses some of the
world's most unique religious scriptures and religious
rare objects. Traditional in design, it is almost a
replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurphu,
Tibet. Rumtek Monastery. |
|
|
Very close by to Rumtek Monastery, and maintained by the
parks and Gardens unit of the Forest Department of the
Government of Sikkim, the Garden is an enchanting and
soothing experience
among the lush green vegetation, rare plants and trees
and certain species of Himalayan flowers and Orchids. |
|
|
|
Water Garden at Martam Khola is on the 31-A National
Highway some 16 kms. south of Gangtok. It is an ideal
spot for picnic with a small swimming pool for children. |
|
|
|
Tsomgo lake is only 40 kms. from Gangtok town and is
situated at an altitude of 12,210 ft. The drive from
Gangtok takes about 2½ hours by bus. The lake is bout 1
km. long and oval in shape, 50ft. deep and is regarded
extremely Holy. It is also a home of Brahmini ducks
besides stopover for various migratory ducks. Tsomgo
Lake. Between May and August, it is possible to see
variety of flowers in bloom, including the
rhododendrons, various species of primulas, blue and
yellow poppies, iris and many other species of floras.
It is alson an ideal habitat of the Red Panda and
various species of birds. Open for both the Foreign and
Indian nationals. Foreign visitors have to be in a group
of two or more and have to apply for the visitors permit
through a registered Travel agency. |
56 kms from Gangtok is a 'Nathula' Pass at an altitude
of 14,200 ft. bordering between India and China in the
Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the highest motorable
roads and richly covered by many
varities of alpine flora and fauna. A tranquil place to
visit. Nathula is open only for Indian nationals on
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The
visitors have to get the permit to visit the place by
applying to the Tourism Department through a registered
Travel Agency. |
|
|
|
Built by the late King of Sikkim Sri. Tashi Namgyal, it
is situated 4 km from Gangtok town from where one can
have a clear view of opposite hills, besides Mt.
Kanchandzonga. This site offers a breathtaking panorama
of the majestic Mt. Kanchandzonga and surrounding hills. |
|
|
|
It is a very small temple of Ganesh, a God worshipped by
Hindus. It is on a hillock on Gangtok-Nathula Road. A
Sikkim Government nursery is just nearby. |
|
|
|
It is a Tibetan refugee monastic institution established
in 1961 by his Eminence Luding Khen Rimpoche, Head of
Ngorpa, sub-sect of the Sakya Order, with the blessing
of H.H. Sakya Trizin and H.H. the Dalai Lama. This is
the only monastery of the Sakya Order of Tibetan
Buddhism in Sikkim. It is located on a beautiful
hill-top just 5 kms away from Gangtok Sikkim. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
