GANGTOK AS A HILL STATION

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION CULTURE OF GANGTOK LOCATION ON WORLD MODE OF TRANSPORTATION HOTELS MAJOR ATTRACTIONS ACTIVITIES

INTRODUCTION The name Gangtok is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside.'  Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim, is famous for the natural

landscapes surrounding the city and the fact that the third highest peak, Kanchenjunga lies to its east.

It is a masterpiece filled with the lush green mountains of Shivalik Hill Range.

The snow-capped mountains make Gangtok a wonderful creation of nature.

Established as a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the 1840s, the city became capital of an independent monarchy after British rule ended, but joined India in 1975.

Today, it remains a Tibetan Buddhist center and a base for hikers organizing permits and transport for treks through Sikkim’s Himalayan mountain ranges.

GENERAL INFORMATION GANGTOK is the capital city of the mountainous northern Indian

state of SIKKIM. It is elevated at the height of 1,650 m (5,410ft). Gangtok is spread over 35sq.km. Population of Gangtok as per 2011 census is 1,00,286 of which

males are 52,459 and females are 47,827. Languages spoken in Gangtok are

Nepali,Hindi,English,Bhutia,etc.,. October to June is the best period to visit this city. Winters in

Gangtok are just awesome, the weather is clear, the sun doesn’t hurt that much and the views of the mountains and valleys are absolutely beautiful. Temperature in December to February goes to an average low of about 4°C whereas the summer season from April to June sees an average maximum of 22°C.

CULTURE OF GANGTOK

The capital city Gangtok, situated in the eastern Himalayan range, is a culturally developed city in Sikkim.

Gangtok is inhabited by people of different ethnicity such as Nepalese, Bhutia and Lepchas. These communities in Gangtok have kept intact the unique culture and identity of the city.

The Nepali community comprises of the major population in Gangtok. Buddhism and Hinduism are the most significant religions followed in Gangtok. With the presence of several monasteries and religious institutions, Gangtok has been a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning in Sikkim. 

LOCATION ON WORLD

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

HOW TO REACH GANGTOK BY AIR:The airport located nearest to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport of West Bengal which is only 124 Kms away from Gangtok. India’s national carrier, Indian Airlines including almost all other domestic airlines such as Jet Airlines, Air Deccan run regular flights from the important cities of India such as Kolkata, Delhi etc. Bagdogra is also connected with Gangtok by daily helicopter service operated by Sikkim Tourism development Corporation and it will take only 20 minutes to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra. This helicopter service is subjected to the weather conditions.In Gangtok, major air ticketing agencies are Josse and Josse Travels and Cox & King.

BY RAIL: New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri are the two rail

stations nearest to Sikkim located in West Bengal.

NJP is 125 Kms and Siliguri is 114 Kms from Gangtok and is well connected to all the major cities.

Ticket reservation facilities are available from Sikkim Nationalized Transport office in all working days.

BY ROAD: The lifeline of Sikkim, which is National

Highway 31A connects Gangtok with Siliguri. Regular bus service operated by S.N.T. and

adequate number of private buses, jeeps and taxies are available from morning to evening at reasonable rate and you can have a very comfortable journey.

RANGING FROM RS.636-RS.14,076 PER DAY.-REFFERED:http://www.trivago.in/

ONE STAR HOTELS

RO RO VILLAGE HOMESTAY

NIRVANA RESIDENCY

TWO STAR HOTELS

HOTEL TASHI THENDUP

THE BAMBOO RETREAT

THREE STAR HOTELS

RHENOCK HOUSE

HOTEL SONAM DELEK

FOUR STAR HOTELS

WELCOME HERITAGE DENZONG REGENCY

CLUB MAHINDRA

FIVE STAR HOTELS

MAYFAIR SPA RESORT AND CASINO

TARA PALACE

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS RUMTEK MONASTRY NATHULA PASS CHANGU LAKE/TSOMGO LAKE HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK GANESH TOK:TEMPLE AND VIEW POINT SARAMSA GARDEN NAMGYAL INSTITUTE OF TIBETOLOGY DEORALI ORCHID SANCTUARY

RUMTEK MONASTRY

Rumtek Monastery, located at a distance of approximately 24 km from Gangtok in Rumtek, is one of the most important sites for almost every Buddhist.

This monastery was originally built in the 16th century, under the supervision of Wangchuck Dorge[9th karmapa] and with the financial assistance of the fourth king of Sikkim [Gyurmed Namgyal].

However, in the 20th century this monastery was devastated by fire. Later in 1960s, an entirely new ministry was rebuilt uphill the original Rumtek Monastery.

The new monastery built was named as Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre. In addition, the monastery also houses the main shrine temple along with quarters of monks.

There is a Golden stupa located inside the monastery, which encompasses the relics of the 16th Karmapa.

The monastery is also a host to a Tibetan festival organised throughout the year, which is Tse-Chu Chaam festival.

Opening and closing time-9:00am to 6:00pm. 

‘Tse Chu Chaam’, these chaams represent the

eight different manifestations of

Padmasambhava, who was an Indian sage and

was the in-charge of spreading the teachings

Buddhism in Tibet.

NATHULA PASS

Nathula Pass is a mountain pass in Eastern Sikkim, on the Indo-Chinese border that serves as the trade link between India and China.

Nathula Pass nestles at an elevation of 14,140 feet and ranks amongst the highest passes accessible by tourists via motorable road.

The Old Silk Route through Lhasa, Sikkim and Eastern India used to cross through Nathula Pass.

The other side of Nathula Pass is Chumbi Valley of Tibet. This mountainous pass is one of the oldest trading border posts connecting

Tibet and India. The Nathula Pass is marked by Entrance gates of both countries (India and

China) and military bunkers on both sides of the gates. On the Indian side, you would find some fortified military bunkers, a war memorial, an army exhibition centre, a military canteen serving hot tea and fresh snacks to tourists.

CHANGU LAKE/TSOMGO LAKE

Tsomgo Lake or Changu Lake is perched within mountains at an altitude of 12,400 ft.

Located at Gangtok – Nathula Highway only 37 kms. from Gangtok, the Changu Lake is one of the most spectacular landscapes of Sikkim.

The lake is highly revered by the local Buddhists and Hindus as a sacred lake. With a depth of around 48 feet and spreading over 1 kilometre, the magnificent Changu Lake romances with its picturesque surrounding.

The water of the lake comes from the melting of the snow of its surrounding mountains, which is why, this lake never dries up.

During winters (From January to mid May) Changu Lake is complete covered in snow and you can enjoy trekking as well as Yak ride on snow along the coasts of the lake.

HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARKHIMALAYAN RED

PANDA

Himalayan Zoological Park is certainly a place for wildlife lovers in Sikkim. The Park has been established, to preserve the wildlife, without disturbing the

creatures and keeping them in their natural habitat. Located in Bulbuley, Himalayan Zoological Park is at a distance of 3 km from

Gangtok. At an altitude of 1,780 mtrs, the Zoological Park also tenders a splendid view of

Mt. Khangchendzonga. This Park sprawls in an area of 205 hectares in the mountainous terrain. The Park

houses a variety of fauna species found in the Himalayas. Some of them are Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Himalayan Red Panda, Snow Leopard Cat, Goral, Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Black Bear and Crimson-Horned Pheasant. 

Himalayan Zoological Park is the first Zoological park of Sikkim. The Park accomplishes the perception of modern zoo, where the animals are kept in replicated natural conditions.

The best time to visit the area is during mid- February to May and Mid-September to December.  The Park is maintained by the Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim.

GANESH TOK:TEMPLE AND VIEW POINT

Ganesh Tok is a temple, which is dedicated to the lord Ganesh. This small temple can accommodate only few persons at a time.

Ganesh Tok is the right place to have a complete view of Gangtok, which is spread beautifully over the hill slopes.

Being the highest point here lying at an altitude of 6500 feet and just 7 kms from Gangtok, Ganesh Tok offers spectacular views of the city and the magnificent Khangchendzonga.

Before you start for the temple above, you can acquire the traditional dress of the land from the shops for rent.

Close to the Ganesh Tok is the observatory tower, which has a small space at the center to be seated. The view of snow-clad Khangchendzonga from here is spectacular.

It would be best to plan your visit in the morning as weather could play spoilsport towards evening.

SARAMSA GARDEN

Located nearly 14 kms away from Gangtok, Saramsa Garden is a treat to your senses.

It is also called as Ipecac Garden. The garden was established by the Forest Department of the

government of Sikkim in the year 1922. The purpose behind setting up of the garden was to cater to the needs

of the British officers as well as the former Namgyal Royal family. A wide range of orchids was introduced with a view to develop the

garden as a picnic spot. The stunning range of colorful flowers and the lush greenery hold your

attention. The garden has a large green house, which preserves wide range of

orchids. With a view to attract tourists, the garden is well developed and you can indulge yourself in the recreational activities available here such as football and volley ball.

NAMGYAL INSTITUTE OF TIBETOLOGY

A visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a great way to get acquainted with Tibetan culture.

Regarded as the highest seat of learning amongst the Mahayana scholars, this Institute was built in 1958 and is a famous global centre for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion today.

It houses the world's largest collected works and rare manuscripts on the theme of Mahayana Buddhism.

Apart from this collection, the museum has more than 200 Buddhist icons, antique paintings, thangkas, statues, shrines, tapestries, masks and other religious works of Tibetan Art.

The Institute also has in its keep around 30,000 volumes; most of them in the form of xylographs. Xylographs are document prints on wooden slabs with matter imprinted on them. It also has translations of the original teachings of the Lord Buddha and discourses by eminent Buddhist scholars from all parts of the world.

Visitors can also buy Buddhist religious books and Tibetan crafts from the Institute.

DEORALI ORCHID SANCTUARY

The Deorali Orchid Sanctuary is located adjacent to the Namgyal Institute, Gangtok in Sikkim.

Of 454 species of orchids known to exist in the world, 200 species are found in the sanctuary.

A visit to the sanctuary, especially during the blooming season, is a treat for your senses.

The blooming season extends from months of April to May, July to August and October to November.

Besides orchids, about 40 genus of rhododendron are also seen in the sanctuary.

ACTIVITIES RIVER RAFTING IN TEESTA RIVER. YAK SAFARI AT CHANGU LAKE. PARAGLIDING OVER GANGTOK CITY. ROPEWAY CABLE RIDE. SHOPPING IN M.G MARG. SIGHTSEEING.

RIVER RAFTING IN TEESTA RIVER.

YAK SAFARI AT CHANGU LAKE.

PARAGLIDING OVER GANGTOK CITY.

ROPEWAY CABLE RIDE.

SHOPPING IN M.G MARG.

SIGHTSEEING.

VIDEO

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PRESENTED BY-MOHAMMED SHAH.