| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population : 90,000
Languages : Nepali, Sikkimese, Bhutia, Lepcha, Hindi,
English
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Code : 03592
SMALL & BEAUTIFUL
All good things in life come in small packets and Gangtok
is a good illustration. Be it the rich flora, the beautiful
people, or the serene Buddhist monasteries, this small
town, occupies an important position in the itinerary
of tourists in search of tranquility from the humdrum
of modern life.
LOCATION 
The eastern state of Sikkim lies couched between the
borders of Nepal and Bhutan. Gangtok became the capital
of the state in the 19th century and lies to the south
of the district of East Sikkim. It is a hilly town and
spreads down the western side of a long ridge flanking
the Ranipul River. The entire Kanchenjunga range can
be viewed from the town and, in fact, it is worshipped
as a local deity. It is at a distance of 721 km from
Calcutta, 584 km from Patna, 140 km from Darjeeling
and 589 km from Guwahati. The town experiences a lot
of rainfall throughout the year and temperatures are
mild.
SITES TO VISIT
One of the oft-visited sites of Gangtok
is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It was built
in 1958 and is a research center for Mahayana Buddhism
and Tibetan culture. Besides being a museum of traditional
and old artifacts, one can also buy Buddhist religious
books and other objects of craft. Nearby is a gompa
for young lamas. The Tsuk-La-Khang or Royal Chapel is
the main place of worship and assembly for the Buddhists
and is huge repertoire of religious relics. It is open
during the Losar festival. Another important monastery
is the Enchey Gompa and is worth a visit during the
festival season of January to February.
Adjacent to the Namgyal Institute is the Orchid Sanctuary,
which is the home of some 500 varieties of orchids.
There is a larger orchid sanctuary called Orchidarium,
off the main road to Rangpo. Near White Hall, there
is a Flower Exhibition Center and seasonal flowers,
bonsai and orchids are a delight to the eyes. From April
to June and September to November, one can come here.
NEIGHBORING SITES
Located at a distance of 24 km from
Gangtok is Rumtek Gompa, which is a rich monastery and
abode of the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is a very famous site and devotees often flock to
it throughout the year. Located at a distance of 35
km towards the northeast of Gangtok is the Tsongo or
Changu Lake. Special permits are required to visit this
picturesque locale.
FESTIVALS
Several festivals are celebrated in
Gangtok and its adjoining areas.
The Buddhist festival of Bumchu is held in the Tashiding
Gompa during January.
The festival of Chaam is held in Enchey Gompa during
January-February and is marked by dancing.
Kagyat Dance is a mask dance held every month at Gangtok,
Pemayangtse and Phodong.
Losar marks the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated during
February-March at Pemayangtse and Rumtek.
Tse Chu is a Buddhist dance held in May at Rumtek.
Saga Dawa, held in Gangtok during May, and Drukpa Teshi,
celebrated statewide during July, mark Buddha's first
teaching.
Phang Lhabsol is a mask dance celebrated statewide during
August.
Dasain, celebrated statewide during September-October,
is marked by gift swapping and animal sacrifice.
THRILLING PASTIMES
Trekkers' huts along trek routes are at Pemayangtse,
Khechopalri, Yuksam, Tsokha, Dzongri, Thangshing, Zemathang,
Chaurigang, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang
and Sikip. One can also taste the thrill of such adventure
sports like white-water rafting, hang gliding, yak safari,
and mountain biking in and around Gangtok. The state
tourism department can be contacted for more details.
WHERE TO GO SHOPPING
The town's liveliest markets are the
New Market on MG Road, with workshops specializing in
bronze and silver jewelry, and Lall Market, where dried
fish, yak's cheese (churpi), and yeast for making the
local beer (tomba) are available. At the huge complex
run by the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom,
on the National Highway north of the center, visitors
can watch rural Sikkimese making carpets, handloom fabrics,
thangka paintings and wooden objects. Curio shops on
MG Road and near the Tibet hotel on Paljor Stadium Road
sell turquoise, coral jewelry and beads.
FOODING & ACCOMMODATION
One can savor all delicacies in Gangtok-from
Tibetan to Chinese, Indian to Japanese. Continental
dishes, banana pancakes, chicken-fried rice and the
famous momos are the hot favorites. Rice is a staple,
and dal is readily available. Gyakho is a traditional
soup served on special occasions. Most restaurants serve
alcohol. One can also look out for tomba, a traditional
drink consisting largely of fermented millet, with a
few grains of rice for flavor, served in a wooden or
bamboo mug, and sipped through a bamboo straw.
Gangtok also offers a wide variety for accommodation.
From budgetary accommodations to five-star hotels, one
can get every sort of rooms. Low-season discounts are
also common, but each hotel differs in their specifications.
One must remember to enquire about hot-water provisions
during winters.
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