AN ELGIN EXCLUSIVE FEATURE
From alpine meadows to thick forests, glacial lakes, quaint villages, age-old monasteries, terraced fields and cascading waterfalls, Sikkim has a lot to keep you excited and entertained.
Gangtok, the enthralling capital city of Sikkim, is something akin to a lost kingdom, vying for the attention of travelers from all over the world. Explorers have hardly explored Gangtok, which turns out to be one target that is rich in history, culture, and scenic magnificence. An essential exchange focus amongst India and China for quite a while; it is today a bustling managerial and business focus and exhibits a fascinating blend of societies and groups.
The Ganesh Tok Temple itself is quite small. Colorful flags are tied across the stairs making it stand out.
The Ganesh Tok, is one of Sikkim’s numerous well-maintained temples among the dazzling Buddhist monasteries of Gangtok. The charming and colorful Hindu temple, built in 1953, provides tourists with magnificent views of the snow-dusted Kanchenjunga peaks and Gangtok city.
The temple shrine has a wonderfully sculpted idol of Lord Ganesh and is so tiny that devotees have to crawl to reach it. The prayer flags strung along the route contribute to the temple’s bright and upbeat aura. If you are fortunate enough to schedule your vacation during the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, you will experience a variety of Hindu ceremonies. The temple is decorated with lights and flowers, hymns are chanted, an Aarti ritual is performed, and fireworks are sent off, creating a mesmerizing air of divinity. While the temple has spiritual and religious significance, its tranquil atmosphere and circular viewing lounge create a relaxing blend of natural and saintly emotions. Ganesh Tok is unquestionably a location where the gods reside, and it will persuade you that you were seeking for serenity in the right spot.
Image by Pradeep Saxena, Flickr
The Tsomgo Lake surface of the lake reflects different colors in different seasons. Therefore, the lake is considered sacred among Sikkimese people.
A winding, rugged, road with hairpin bands will take you to the Tsomgo Lake. Also known as, Changu lake. The lake is known for its color-changing patterns in every season. In the winter, the lake is frozen, but in the spring, there is a riot of color due to the abundance of flowers surrounding the lake. The sacred Tsomgo Lake is believed to have healing qualities hence to offer prayers Jhakris (faith healers) congregate every year on Guru Purnima which coincides with Raksha Bandhan as well.
Image by Manfred Sommer, Flickr
Char Dham, also known as Siddheshwar Dham, is a popular tourist destination in Sikkim. It is a replica of all of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas and Char Dhams. On the Solophok mountaintop, the picture depicts a 33-meter-tall Shiva statue, surrounded by the Hindu temple. A true epic man-made attraction.
A journey to Pelling, a beautiful town in west Sikkim, encircled by pine trees. The drive to Pelling is just as thrilling as the destination. You will pass through scented tea gardens, stunning scenery, and breathtaking mountains on your route. On the route, take a detour to Namchi, which means “peak of the sky,” from where you can see spectacular views of the mountains and valley. Don’t miss the holy Namchi Char Dham, which has a 108-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva as well as replicas of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Head to Samdruptse Hill, where the world’s biggest statue of the Buddhist Padmasambhava, Sikkim’s patron saint, rises at 118 feet. This hill is known as the Wish fulfilling Hill.
Image by Kelly Chang, Flickr
Khangchendzonga waterfalls offer blend of scenic beauty with the waterfalls.
Khangchendzonga Waterfalls, tucked away on a hill, offers a beautiful picture of the rush of cold-water cascading over the green foliage. This waterfall is one of the most picturesque tourist destinations near Temi Tea Garden in Pelling, and it is caused by streams formed by Mt. Khangchendzonga’s melting glaciers. If you wish to see the waterfall’s base, you must climb up the rocks, but genuine adventurers can make the most of the ropeway to span the stream.
With various historic monasteries, never-ending scenic views, legendary waterfalls and countless green foliage, the journey Gangtok to Pelling will amaze you by tourist spots every kilometer. The pathways have a story of their own which could be witnessed as you try to soak up all the greenery at once with each turn of the vehicle. A true adventure, an experience for life that would engrave every memory from the chanting of monks to the tranquil gushing water from epic waterfalls.
