GANGTOK - The Hidden Paradise

GANGTOK
The capital city of Gangtok is the pride of Sikkim. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and deep misty valleys, Gangtok is an ideal place to watch the towering Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks light up brilliantly as the sun rises every morning. The sparkling snow-capped mountains are an awe-in-spring sight. In the around Gangtok is a collection of choice monasteries. The royal chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang is the principle place of worship and a repository of a number of Buddhist scriptures. The place is beautifully decorated and is also the site of many important festivals. The Institute of Tibetology is certainly a unique institution containing thousands of books and manuscripts on a number of religious subjects especially on Mahayana Buddhism. Nearby is a lovely orchidarium with a wide range of more than four hundred species of orchids.

	ENTRY Formalities
Foreigners must obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. The permits can be obtained from all Indian missions. Tourism Office - New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism Office - Kolkata and Sikkim Tourism Office - Siliguri, Rangpo Tourist Lodge on the strength of an Indian visa. The 15 days duration permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of passport and visa details alongwith two passport photos of the applicants are made available then and there. The permissible duration of stay by foreign tourists would be 15 days initially with the State Government authorised to extend the same by the further period of 30 days of 15 days each. The extension of permits can be obtained from FRO at Gangtok, Superintendent of Police of the North, West and South Districts. For those interested in going for trekking in the interior regions of the State, the Department of Tourism issues Protected Area Permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of two or more foreigners subject to the conditions that the trekking programme is arranged through a Registered Travel Agency.

Altitude :	5,500 ft
Climate :	Summer 28°C (MAX) - 13.1°C (MIN)	Winter 18°C (MAX) - 5.3°C (MIN)
Rainfall :	3,894 mm
Best Season :	March to late May & October to December
Clothing :	Summer - Light woollens	Winter - Heavy Woollens

Enchey Monastery, An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey Monastery is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his power for his power of flying. This 200 years old monastery has in its premises images of gods, 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 Siniolchu Tourist Lodge, 3 kms from Gangtok town.

Pemayangtse Monastery, is one of the oldest monasteries in the State. Originally established by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal (Religious Monarch) of Sikkim. This ancient monastery belongs to the Nyingma Buddhism and has been considered as one of the premier monasteries in the State, having been entrusted with the task to perform all religious functions of the erstwhile monarch.

The monastery located on a hill top at an altitude of 6840 ft. commands a magnificent panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding hills and countryside.

Rumtek Monastery, On a hill opposite Gangtok, 24 km away, is the seat of the head of the Kagyu-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It has an interesting display of Tibetan style of religious paintings. Situated at a distance of 33 km is the beautiful and sacred Lake Khecheopalri. Belief goes that here one's wishes are sure to be fulfilled.

Tashiding Monastery, Built in 1717, is 103 km away. It was set up by Ngadak Sempa Chempo, on of the three lamas who consecrated the first Chogyal (King of Sikkim). On top of a hill, it has many chortens and plates with mantras carved by master craftsman Yanchong Lodil. The Bumchu ceremony of the holy water jar is held in January/February and attended by thousands of devotees.

Losar, (February) - Tibetan New Year, involves a lot of gaiety and festivity. Guthor Chaam is held at Rumtek monstery two days before Losar.

Saga Dawa, (June) - the triple blessed festival is the holiest of Buddhist festivals. It is marked with a procession of holy books carried from the monastery in the palace around Gangtok town.

Tse-Chhu Chham, (June) - is in Rumtek monastery. A mask dance shows episodes from Guru Padmasambhav's life.

Pang Lhabsol, (August) - is a festival unique to Sikkim, held to worship the guardian deity, Kanchenjunga Lamas portray the deity with fiery-red face masks with a crown of five skulls, riding a now lion.

Kagyat Dance, (December) - is performed at Enchey, Phensang, Phodong, Rumtek and Losoong, the sikkimese New Year. It symbolises exorcism of evil and ushering in of peace and prosperity.

Best buys include hand-woven carpets with traditional Tibetan, modern designs, thangkas and other paintings, Lepcha-weave bags, purses, leather ware, wood-work, Sikkimese dresses, large cardamoms, caps, scarves, jewellery, sikkimese sprits and liquers. A very popular buy is the silver 'Dragon Rings' available with most jewellery/souvenir shops. Also popular are 'Chokoees', carved, folding wooden table. Lal Bazaar, Super Market and New Market are the main shopping areas.