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EAST INDIA
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 Point, Dharma Chakra Centre (Rumtek) and Saramsa Garden. Proposed Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok.

Excursions:

Bakkhim, Dzongri, Pemayangtse Monastery.

Reach

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.

STATES OF EAST INDIA

• Andaman & Nicobar
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Bihar
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Orissa
• Sikkim
• Tripura
• West Bengal