Gorgeous Gangtok...

Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim. We went there on march 2, 2011 from Delhi to Bagdogra airport (about 125 KM from Gangtok) by plane and from there by cab to Ttakshang Residency, Gantok. It is really a beautiful city. We roam around there at many places like..

Nathula pass: Nathula pass(used to be known as the Silk Route) is a border line of India and China which also serves as trade link between two countries. The terms 'Nathu' and 'La' literally in Tibetan language mean 'listening ears' and 'pass' respectively. It's about 56 km from Gangtok. From our hotel we go there by hiring a cab. The road to Nathula is one of the highest motor-able roads in India. The roads in the way are mountainous and tiring. In the way we saw snow clad mountains of the Himalayas that reflects many amazing views. Tourists are permitted to visit it only on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday of the week. On the way we also enjoyed at Tsomgo Lake.

Nathula Pass is a very beautiful place and is located at more than 14200 ft. We were allowed to walk up to the Army and look beyond into China. The border line and the China Military force can easily be seen from Indian side. It is fully covered with snow and snow all around. We had lots of fun enjoying in snow. There is a cafe also named as 14 thousand cafe from where one can enjoy snacks with tea or coffee.

One should go there as soon as possible in the day because whether can go bad early in the evening. So to avoid any mishap tourists are said to go back. Also one should take scarf, sweater, shoes with them as one has to move over snow.

Tsomgo(Changu) Lake: On the way to Nathula pass there is a cool and beautiful Tsomgo Lake which is surrounded by snow clad mountains, that presents mind blowing view of landscape. We also enjoyed yak riding around this lake.

 
Baba Mandir: Captain "Baba" Harbhajan Singh (August 3, 1941 – October 4, 1968) was an Indian army officer who died near the Nathula Pass in eastern Sikkim, India. He is revered by the soldiers of the Indian army, who have built a shrine in his honour.

  Rope-way: There is a rope-way also that has three entry-exit points. It is of about 1 km. The lowest point is at Deorali market, mid point stop at Nam-Nang and the highest point is at Tashiling. One can enter from any point and return to same point after touching other two points. The whole journey provides spectacular view of Gangtok market, valleys, hills covered with trees that provides beautiful views.

 











Enchey Monastery: The literal meaning of Enchey Monastery is the Solitary Temple which is a religious site of Buddhists. It is located at a distance of 3 kms from Gangtok. It is said to be blessed by a great tantrik Lama Druptab Karpo. Here Lord Buddha, Loki Sharia and Guru Padmasambhava are worshipped. There are beautiful images of Gods and Goddesses also. In December-January some annual religious dances are also performed here.

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa: Do Drul Chorten is the biggest and the most important 
stupa in Sikkim. This was built in the year 1945 under the supervision of late Truslshi Rimpoche. There are 108 prayer wheels (Mani-Lhakor) in this chorten with some holy inscription (mantras) engraved over them. The stupa is white in colour with a pointed golden spire erected on the top. The complex also has rooms for lamas studies. Outside this room one lama was sitting who on offer of money read some matras for future happiness.

Orchid Sanctuary: The Orchid Sanctuary is a must visit place in Gangtok. It is famous for its rare, varied and extensive collection of orchids and other Himalayan plants that are arranged in such a beautiful manner that it presents a wonderful flower show. So it also provides scenic views for photographs. This interesting place is open on Monday to Friday and every other Saturday from10 am to 4 pm.
 

 

Ban Jhakri Falls Energy Park: Another worth seeing place in Gangtok is Ban Jhakri Falls which is an energy park as well as a shamatic theme park. It is all about beautiful and fun filled parks, splash pool that contains life like dragons, next to real like sculptures of Shamans and others, lovely cascading waterfall that roars down from a height of about 70 feet with trails in the river to wander, foot bridges over the water streams that lead to small view points from where one can get great shots of the waterfall, great artwork on the ceilings of resting places, valleys, green trees all around and more and more fun. The word Banjhakri refers to the forest priest (ban means forest; jhakri means shaman/priest). Shaman is a priest among certain people of northern Asia, regarded as one with healing and magical powers who can influence the spirits and bring about good and evil. Here Shamanistic practices are depicted by the life like figurines some of which depict rituals, some healing ceremonies and others the initiation process in the life of a shaman. The park is spread over in about two acres, surrounded by trees and a gushing mountain river.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: It is built in traditional style. It promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world's largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. It is a treasure of vast collection of rare but interesting Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues, Buddhist icons, priceless antiques , gorgeous thangkas, statues, masks, volumes in the form of Xylographs (document printed on wooden slabs),original teachings of the Lord Buddha and other eminent Buddhist scholars from all parts of the world and many other religious things like sacred objects like Kapali (a bowl made from a human skull), Carku (a flute made from a thigh bone). As far as it's collections are concerned, it is only one in India. It is a famous global center for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. Visitors can also buy Buddhist religious books and Tibetan crafts from the Institute. The construction work of the institute is a noble memorial and an excellent example of the architecture of Sikkim.

Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom/Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI): The main intention behind the institute is to preserve and propagate the art & craft skills of the local artisans. It is an authentic warehouse of traditional handicrafts and handlooms that are interesting as well as exceptional. These handicrafts includes hand-woven carpets with traditional motifs, blankets, shawls, cultural and traditional paintings, bamboo-craft, lamp-stands, graceful traditional hand carved foldable tables, hand-painted masks, dolls, soft toys, beautiful hand made purses of different kinds and many other objects. The exclusive hand made paper is another specialty of the Institute. This paper is made from the bark of Algeri tree. The institute is of the type of Exhibition-cum-sale from where one can buy every kind of handicraft at nominal prices.

 M.G. Marg/Road & Lal Bazaar(Kanchanjunga Shopping Plaza): M.G. Road is the main market of Gangtok. Almost all the major Shops, Hotels, Restaurants are here on M.G. Road. In this zone vehicles are prohibited still it is the busiest place. Just below of it is another local market which is called as Lal bazaar.

  


Summit Ttakshang Residency: In Gangtok we stayed at Ttakshang Residency. The hotel is situated on the slope of a hill. It is very much approachable from M. G. Road so good for visitors to roam around there. It is an economic hotel, that offered us very good and delicious food . The rooms were cozy, comfortable and clean. The view from the window of room was wonderful. Staff was friendly, courteous and knowledgeable in local surroundings. Room Service was also good. Hotel manager, Ms Reshma was very friendly and helpful, she arranged our sight seeing very effectively. We enjoyed our stay in the hotel.

In all this was really wonderful trip, we enjoyed a lot.