Do Drul Chorten: This is undoubtedly one the most important stupa in Sikkim. Built by the head of the Nyingmapa sect in 1945, the stupa houses complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba, a set of Kangyur relics (holy books), mantras and other objects of religious significance. The stupa has about 108 prayer wheels, which are constantly turned by Buddhist devotees as they chant their prayers. In addition, the chorten also has two statues of Guru Rinpoche surrounding it.
Enchey Monastery: This is believed to be almost 200 years old, built by Lama Drupthob Karpo who is remembered for his power of flying! The monastery houses images of gods, goddesses and several other religious objects including murals and statues. The monastery houses about 90 monks and is the site of the annual chaam or masked dance performed by the lamas.
Orchid Sanctuary: Located close to the Institute of Tibetology, this is a specialized garden where over 200 species of orchids bloom. The best time to see these are during the blooming season in April to May, July to August and October to November.
Tashiding: This is one of the best places to get a splendid view of the Kanchenjunga Mountains. It is also the site of the gold-topped Tashiding Monastery, which is regarded as one of the holiest Buddhist monasteries. The Tashiding Monastery is host to the annual Bumchu Festival, during which the holy water in the pot is displayed to the public and predictions for the future are made. Truly a spectacular festival you should not miss!
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: Built in 1958, this institute is known as the promoter of Tibetan religion, culture, history and art. In fact it is credited with housing the largest collection of Tibetan works outside Tibet and a museum with Tibetan artifacts. The Museum is located on the ground floor and houses a rare collection of statues, thangkas and ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Lepcha and Chinese. The most dominating exhibit is the huge silver idol of Manjushri – the Bodhisattva of Knowledge. Along with this, the relics of the two Asokan missionaries, Madhyama and Kasyapagotra and the sandalwood idols of Padmasambhava are among its treasures. The Tibetan Library is located in the main building of this institute and houses one of the largest collections of Tibetan works. Its treasures include over 60,000 titles translated to Tibetan from their original Sanskrit and Pali works. Note that this library is only meant for reference and you cannot carry books out.
Open from: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Entry fee – Rs 5
Tsuklakhang (The Palace Monastery): This should be definitely be a part of your itinerary, for their massive collection of Tibetan scriptures. This is one of the few monasteries, which has beautifully done lavish interiors with ornamented altars and idols of Buddha. The monastery is open to the public all year through and is especially lively during the annual Losar festival, when traditional dances are performed.
Rumtek Monastery: Definitely one of the largest monasteries, Dharmachakra Centre or Rumtek Monastery consists of a beautiful shrine temple. This four-storeyed temple is painted in bright red, green and yellow and richly coloured murals adorn the walls. The main shrine is supported by bright red pillars and long silk thangkas are hung from these columns, while paintings from the Kagyu lineage adorn the walls. The main hall has a 10 ft tall statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in the centre, and you would find thousands of smaller Buddha statues made of clay and painted gold all over the place. The right and rear of the hall has the Mahakala and Mahakali shrines rooms, where a puja is performed every morning and evening. A must-see in this monastery is the Golden Stupa, which houses the relics of the guru of Kagyu lineage. The stupa is highly ornamented with turquoise and coral stones and decorated with filigree and metal works and towers a staggering 13 ft!
Phodong Monastery: This is one of the most serene monasteries, located almost 28 kms from Gangtok. Housing over 250 monks, the monastery has a rich collection of bright murals and plays host to the annual festival that is marked by religious dances by the monks.
The Deer Park: Also known as Rustomji Park, the Deer Park located adjacent to the Secretariat. The park’s enclosures house, of course, deers, along with other animals. You would also find the Red Panda and the Himalayan Bear in caged enclosures. The park also has a statue of Lord Buddha surrounded by flowering plants and a butter lamp lit before him. The park affords excellent views of the hills and valleys.
Tsomgo Lake: Also known as Changu Lake, it is situated at a height of almost 12,000 ft. Flanked by the hills, the lake is about 1 km long and oval shaped. It is considered sacred by the local people and is also home for the Brahminy Ducks. If you’re planning to visit it, do so in summers, because the lake remains frozen from winter upto mid-May.
Government Institute of Cottage Industries: This is the place to watch out for authentic Sikkimese arts. Everything here is hand-made – Tibetan carpets sport dragon images and Sikkimese tables are intricately carved and painted in red and gold. You can also purchase masks, paintings and traditional baskets. Remember, that prices could be steeper since everything is hand-made.
Pemayangtse: Located almost 115 kms from Gangtok, the monastery here is known for its bright murals that adorn the walls and ceilings.
Yumthang: Visit Yumthang to catch a glimpse of nature in its finest! It is a paradise for nature-lovers with its breathtaking views of the mountains. During May and June, the entire hillside bursts into shades of red, pink, yellow, purple and white. Along with these bright colours, the lush mountains and gushing waterfalls make a trip here particularly memorable! |