Capital :
Gangtok
Language : Nepali
Tourist
season : March to August
Area : 7290 sq Km
The tiny state of Sikkim is cradled by Bhutan
on the east, Nepal on the west and Tibet on the
north. Sikkim is situated amongst the highest
peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, along the higher
reaches of the Tista River Valley. An independent
kingdom till 1975, Sikkim thereafter joined the
Indian Territory to become the 22nd state of the
Indian Union.
Tourist Attraction of
Sikkim
Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo lake is only 40 kms. from Gangtok town
and is situated at an altitude of 12,210 ft.
Rumtek Dharma Chakra
Centre :
The seat of the 17th Gyalwa Karma, late His Holiness
Rangjung Rigpae Dorjee, it is believed that the
monastery, built in 1960 is a replica of the original
Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet. ( 24 kms
from Gangtok).
Shri Nalanda Institute
for Higher Buddhist Studies
Initiated by the late 16th Karmapa, the institute
in housed in the adjoining building of the Rumtek
Monastery. The Jamyang Khang Primary School meant
for 5 years of primary monastic studies is also
located here.
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical
Garden
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.
Permanent Flower Show
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.
Enchey Monastery
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.
Hanuman Tok
It is approximately 5½ km. from Gangtok town.
A temple of God Hanuman, worshipped by the Hindus.
Besides offering prayers, one can enjoy the scenic
beauty of Gangtok town and have a satisfying glimpse
of Mt Kanchendzonga, which is snow clad.
Tashi View Point
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.
Ganesh Tok
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.
Saramsa Garden
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.
Water Garden
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.
Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre
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.