Tuesday 24 April 2012

GNGTOK THE CAPITAL OF SIKKIM

GNGTOK THE CAPITAL OF SIKKIM

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim has emerged into the mainstream travel destination of the Tourism Industry, with more and more tourist coming to this little Himalayan state every year. It is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books.

Gangtok is full of gompas, stupas, parks and gardens. Some of the major attractions in and around Gangtok are the Rumtek Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La Pass, Hanuman Tok etc. Visitors who want to explore Gangtok and its surroundings but do not want to do the planning themselves can opt for the several Gangtok holiday packages available.

Built about 100 years ago is the Labrang Monastery, just 1 km further from Phodong. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the same as that of Pemayangtse monastery in West Sikkim. Its name translates simply as the dwelling place of the Lamas (Buddhist monks).

A must visit place in Gangtok, this is a 200 year old monastery, built by Lama Drupthob Karpo who is believed to had powers of flying. The monastery is home to about 90 monks and becomes particularly happening when the annual dance festival Chaam is held here and lamas perform an enthralling masked dance.

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