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About Gangtok |
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Gangtok is a municipality, the capital and the largest town of
the Indian state of Sikkim. It also is the headquarters of the
East Sikkim district. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is a
unique hill resort of northeast India. Located within higher
peaks of the Himalayas and enjoying a year-round mild
temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s
tourism industry. Gangtok enjoys a mild, temperate climate all
year round due to its elevation and sheltered
environment Perched at an altitude of 1700 m, Gangtok is
well-known for its scenic beauty and amazing views of the
Kanchenjunga which is one of the highest mountains in the
world. Gangtok features a monsoon-influenced subtropical
highland climate. Gangtok is naturally blessed with a
refreshing cool and pleasant climatic condition throughout the
year.
Gangtok rose to prominence as a famous Buddhist pilgrimage
site after the foundation of the Enchey Monastery in 1840. In
1894, the ruling Sikkimese Chogyal,Thutob Namgyal, transferred
the capital to Gangtok. In the early 20th century, Gangtok
became a major stopover on the trade route between Lhasa in
Tibet and cities such as Kolkata in British India. After India
won its independence from Britain in 1947, Sikkim chose to
remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital.
In 1975, after the integration with the union of India,
Gangtok was made India's twenty-second state capital. Gangtok
is located at an altitude of 1,547 meters.
The hospitality industry is the largest industry in Gangtok as
the city is the main base for Sikkim tourism. Summer and
spring seasons are the most famous tourist seasons. Most of
Gangtok's residents are employed directly and indirectly in
the tourism industry, with many residents owning and working
in hotels and restaurants.
Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in
the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river
rafting and other nature oriented activities. |
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Events/Festivals in Gangtok |
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Two
types of festivals are celebrated by local people of Gangtok and
travelers as well which includes tourist festivals and religious
festivals in Gangtok. Prominent Festivals are-
Pong Labsal festival
It is celebrated in the month of December, it is one of the
most popular and main festivals in this region. During that
time, the gate of Chogyal's Palace is open for the travelers.
Other tourist festivals include Gangtok Food and Culture
Festival, Flower Festival, Hee Bermiock Heritage & Tourism
Festival, Khangchendzonga Tourist festival, Lampokhari Tourism
Festival, Namchi Mahotsav, Ravangla Festival, Mangan Music
Festival, and many others. |
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History of Gangtok |
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Like the rest of Sikkim, not much is known about the early
history of Gangtok.The earliest records date from the
construction of the hermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716.
Gangtok remained a small hamlet until the construction of
the Enchey Monastery. Construction of the Enchey Monastery
in 1840 made it a pilgrimage center. It became the capital
of what was left of Sikkim after an English conquest in
mid 19th century in response to a hostage crisis. After
the defeat of the Tibetans by the British, Gangtok became
a major stopover in the trade between Tibet and British
India at the end of the 19th century.Most of the roads and
the telegraph in the area were built during this time. |
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Culture |
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Apart
from the major religious festivals of Diwali, Christmas,
Dusshera, Holi etc., the diverse ethnic populace of the town
celebrates several local festivals. The Bhutias and Lepchas
celebrate new year in January, while Tibetans celebrate the new
year (Losar) with "Devil Dance" in January–February. The Maghe
sankranti, Ram Navami are some of the important Nepali
festivals. Chotrul Duchen, Buddha Jayanti, the birthday of the
Dalai Lama, Loosong,Bhumchu, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen and
Drupka Teshi are some other festivals, some distinct to local
culture and others shared with the rest of India, Nepal, Bhutan
and Tibet. |
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Location of Gangtok |
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Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an
elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The town's one lakh (hundred
thousand) population belongs to different ethnicities such as
Nepalese, Bhutia and Lepchas.
The exact meaning of the name Gangtok is unclear, though the
most popular meaning is "hill top".Today, Gangtok is a centre of
Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of
several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and
centres for Tibetology. The important destinations present
around Gangtok are Darjeeling (94 km), Dzongri, Kalimpong (80
km), Nathula (56 km), Pelling (125 km), Ravangla, Siliguri (110
km), Yuksom, and Yumthang. |
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Tourist Attractions in Gangtok |
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There
are many places of sightseeing in Gangtok like Hanuman Tok,
Changu Lake, Research Institute of Tibetology, Tashi View Point,
Phurba Chorten, Ridge, Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs, Ganesh Tok,
Pinetum, Do Drul Chorten, Menmecho Lake.
Ganesh Tok
Ganesh Tok is situated on the hill adjacent to the TV Tower. A
small temple dedicated to the God Ganesh is located on the
hilltop at an elevation of 6500 feet. From the Ganesh Tok one
can have a panoramic view of Gangtok and the Raj Bhawan Complex.
The Pinetum garden is located near the Ganesh Tok. This garden
contains pine trees and a walk on the foothpath amongst the pine
trees is refreshing.
Hanuman Tok
Hanuman Tok is located about five kilometers uphill from White
Hall on the Gangtok Nathula Highway. A temple dedicated to the
God Hanuman is located at an elevation of 7200 feet. On the way
towards the temple, one can have a amazing views of Gangtok and
the adjacent rolling hills.
Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology
The Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology is a leading
institute in the world that was founded to conduct research on
the language and traditions of Tibet as well as the Mahayana
sect of Buddhism. This research institute is located at Deorali.
The institute includes a rare collection of the Tibetan
literature, paintings, coins,manuscripts, statues and Thangkas.
This institute houses a museum, a Tibetan library and a general
reference centre.
Phurba Chorten
Phurba Chorten is located close to the Research Institute of
Tibetology on a small hill. This huge and immense religious
monument is in the form of a stupa. The edge of the Chorten is
enclosed by 108 small prayer wheels with the spiritual mantra
‘Om Mane Padme Hum’ in Tibetan adorned on them. The Chorten was
founded by Late Trul Shik Rimpoche, who was the head of the
Nyingama Order, and late Chogyal of Sikkim Tashi Namgyal. Inside
the Chorten a complete set of Kagyur holy books, relics,
complete mantras and other religious objects are placed.
The Ridge
The Ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road above the
town of Gangtok. It is just about fifteen minutes walk from the
main market. The ridge is wrinkled with plants and trees which
presents a colorful picture. The Ridge has the White Hall and
the Chief Minister’s official residence on one end and the
magnificently designed Place Gate with a pagoda rooftop on the
other end. A resting shed built on Tibetan architecture is also
located on the Ridge. Flower shows which attract tourists from
all over the world are held just below the Ridge.
Tashi View Point
Tashi View Point is located about six kilometers away from
Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway. This place offers an
amazing view of the Kangchendzonga snowy range. The Labrang and
Phodong monasteries can also be seen on the opposite hill. A
resting shed located at Tashi View Point provides shelter to the
tourists.
Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs
Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs are situated about 25 kms from
Gyalshing near Reshi on the River Rangit. It is about ten
minutes from the highway across the River Rangit by a pedestrian
bridge to reach the hot springs. The water of these springs has
medicinal value as it is very rich in Sulphur that can cure
various skin diseases.
Changu Lake
The Changu lake is situated about 35 kilometers from Gangtok at
an elevation of about 12000 feet on the Gangtok – Nathula
highway. This lake is located in the restricted area and hence
an Inner Line Permit is required by Indians to visit this place.
Foreign nationals are not permitted to visit this lake. An
attractive natural cave called the Tseten Tashi Cave is also
located near the lake which is about three storey high. Its cool
water, flowers and the alpine vegetation harmonizes with the
picturesque beauty around. A small temple of Lord Siva is also
constructed on the lakeside. Because of the high altitude, heavy
woolens are required to be worn here throughout the year.
Menmecho Lake
The Menmecho Lake is another wonderful lake that is situated
about twenty kilometers ahead of the Changu lake. This lake is
very big in size, and lies cradled between the mountains below
the Jelepla pass and is also the source of the Rangpochu river.
The lake is known for its fish and a farm to cultivate these
fish is also located nearby.
Do-Drul Chorten
Do-Drul Chorten at Dotapu Chorten, Gangtok was constructed under
the supervision of the late Most Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche
after due preparations in 1945-46, in accordance with the
prophecy made in 1944 by his Holiness the Dud-Zom Rinpoche. This
chorten is believed to be one of the most important chorten of
Sikkim. A complete mandala set of Dorji Phurpa (Bajra Kilaya),
one set of Kagyur holy Books, relics, complete 'zung' (mantras)
and other religious objects are placed inside the Chorten.
Around the chorten 108 Mani-Lhokor (Prayer Wheels) are
installed. The Chorten is enclosed by Chorten Lhakhang, Guru
Lhakhang, where two huge statues of Guru Rinpoche (Guru
Padmasambahava) are installed, Drupda (Meditation Centre),
Nyingma Shede (Institute of Nyingma Higher Studies) and many
smaller monuments including the 'kudung' of the latter most
honored Trulshi Rinpoche. His fame Dodrup Chen Rinpoche of
Sikkim has his seat at the Chorten Lhakhang and guides the
disciples, including the inmates of the Drubda, in their search
for higher knowledge and practice of the tenets of the Nyingma
Order.
Chungthang
Chungthang is located about 95 kms. away from Gangtok, on the
way to Yumthang. The main feature of this place is a footprint
atop a rock which is said to be that of Guru Padmasambhava is
located about 17 kms away from Gangtok. This small village of
Chungthang lies at the confluence of the two rivers, the Lachen
Chhu (which later evolves into the Teesta) and the Lachung Chhu.
At this place, the Tibetan chieftain, Khey Bumsar signed a blood
brotherhood with the Lepcha shaman Te-Kung-Tek. The spot is
marked by a stone amidst the shadows of a dense wooded area. The
Statue of Unity erected near the Thakurbari Temple in Gangtok is
in the memory of this event.
Kabi Longstok
Kabi Longstok is located about 17 kms away from Gangtok. At this
place, the Tibetan chieftain, Khey Bumsar signed a blood
brotherhood with the Lepcha shaman Te-Kung-Tek. The spot is
marked by a stone amidst the shadows of a dense wooded area. The
Statue of Unity erected near the Thakurbari Temple in Gangtok is
in the memory of this event.
Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery is located about 24 km. south west of Gangtok
in one of the lower valleys. It is the headquarters of the
Kagyupa (Red Hat) sect of Tibetan Lamaistic Buddhism. The
original monastery founded by the 4th Chogyal and destroyed by
an earthquake, was rebuilt in the 1960s in the traditional
styles as a faithful copy of the Kagyu headquarters in Chhofuk,
Tibet and now houses Dharma Chakra Centre. The 16th Gwalpa
Karmapa took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese invaded Tibet.
He and his followers brought with them whatever statues,
thangkas and scriptures they could and at the invitation of the
Chogyal, the Karmapa settled in Rumtek and the lamasery was
built. The significant chham (religious masked dance) of Rumtek
is performed on the 10th day of 5th month of the Tibetan
calendar, and presents 8 manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche.
This is extremely colourful and amazing and draws many pilgrims
and visitors.
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How to reach Gangtok |
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By
Rail
The nearest railway stations are at New Jalpaiguri (125 kms) and
Siliguri, which is about 114 km from Gangtok and well linked
with all major cities of India.
By Road
Gangtok has only a road connection with the rest of India.
Gangtok is linked with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri by the
National Highway 31 A.
By Air
The nearest airport is located at Bagdogra which is about 124
kms from Gangtok, and has daily Indian Airlines connections with
Kolkata and Delhi. |
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