Soul- Searching in Sikkim

Saifur Rahman Tuheen

Tsongmo Lake

Sikkim is a state in East India in the Himalayan foot hills bordering China (Tibet), Nepal and Bhutan. The snow-covered mountains and lush green valleys of Sikkim revitalises one's soul. Nearly 40 percent of its total area is forested.
How to go: There are no airports or railway stations in Sikkim. The only way to enter from the rest of India is by road using bus or jeep from West Bengal. Buses are available at Dharmatala in Kolkata city. It will take about 17 hours to reach Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. Construction of a 50 km rail link from Sevoke, West Bengal to Rangpo, Sikkim started in 2009, but it isn't expected to be ready until 2015. It will also take another few years until it reaches another 40km to Gangtok. Meanwhile, the nearest railway stations are Shiliguri and New Jolpaiguri. Both of these have a number of trains connecting them to Kolkata. You should be able to get pre-paid taxis outside the railway stations quite easily. The nearest airport for Sikkim is Bagdogra, near Shiliguri in North Bengal which is 124 km away and approximately four hours drive from Gangtok. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Go Air etc. service Bagdogra linking it with other major airports in India (Including Gwahati). Druk Air flies twice weekly from Bangkok, stopping at Bagdogra before continuing to Paro in Bhutan. You can also take a helicopter from Bagdogra to Gangtok.
Where to Stay: As like any other popular tourist place, there is a large number of hotels, motels and guest houses available in Sikkim, particularly in Gangtok. Mayfair Spa Resort and Casino, Suhim Potriko, Hotel Sonam Delek, Welcom Heritage Denzong Regency, Elgin Nor- Khill Gangtok, Hotel Saikripa Gangtok, The Keepsa Residensy, Summit Norling Resort and Spa, Hotel Sagorika, Aashishkim Guest House, Sikkim Retreat Hotel, Himalayan Retreat, Hotel Mount Siniolchu, Tara Palace, Hotel Barries etc. are well-known hotels in Gangtok. Hotel Yarlam, Modern Residensy, Snow Lion Resort and Sonam Palgey Lachung are the notable hotels at Lachung.
Popular Destinations
Rumtek Monastery: 24 km from Gangtok in East Sikkim – the main seat of Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. Originaly built by the 9th Karampa Wangchuk Dorjie in 1740 but fell into disrepair. The current structure dates from 1959.
Tsongmo Lake: The most visited lake in Sikkim is Tsongmo Lake in East Sikkim. Located at 35 km from Gangtok and an altitude of 12,000 feet the ethereally beautiful Tsongmo Lake is must on every visitor's itinerary. Embedded in steep and rugged mountain terrain, the lake is covered with snow from early winter to late spring. Associated with many legends and myths, Tsongmo is regarded holy by the Sikkimese. For the tourists, the visit to the lake offers the wonderful outing. Rides on colourfully decorated yaks and mules offered at the lake side, which also has a verity of eating stalls serving snakes and beverages. Snowboots and gumboots can be hired here. The lake also provides the perfect backdrop for holiday photos
Pelling: About 117 km away from Gangtok, Pelling is today emerging as the second biggest tourist destination in the state of Sikkim. Although in itself is a little more than a strip of road lined with hotels, its main attraction is the breathtaking view it offers of the Khangchendzonga and surrounding ranges, as well as the easy access it provides to tourist spots in the area. Pemayangste monastery is less than a kilometre from Pelling while a 40 minute walk in the hill opposite the monastery takes you to Sanga Choling monastery built in 1967, one of the first in the state.
Baba Mandir: Baba Mandir is original Harbhajan Singh Baba Temple from which the Indo-Bhutan border is approximately 6 km and Indo-Chinese border is around 5 km. A must visit place for all those who like to explore places.

Dubdi Monastery: This was the first monastery established soon after the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal. The monastery is located on a hill top above Yuksom surrounded by verdant forest. It can be approached by trekking only, negotiating steep slope for about half an hour. It is an ideal place for lamas seeking meditation recluse.
Chungthang: Chungthang is in the Northern part of Sikkim. It is located at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung Chu and is the starting point of the river Teesta. It is believed that Chungthang is blessed by guru Rimpoche.
Gurudongmar Lake: At an altitude of 17,000 feet, Gurudongmar Lake is reserved by both Buddhists and Hindus as a sacrosanct lake. Enriched all around by snow-covered mountains, the lakes freezes during the winter, except one spot said to be blessed by Guru Rimpoche. The water of the lake is believed to have the miraculous power of granting children to childless couples.
Dzongri trek: Dzongri trek is possible at the west part of Sikkim. This trek is suitable for those trekkers who wish to go for a short and easy trek. This trek provides a spectacular view of unique landscape which permanently gets printed in the trekkers mind.
Adventure activities: There are many adventure activities possible to do in Sikkim. Tourists can go Trekking, Rafting, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Yak Safari and many more.
Entry formalities to Sikkim: Foreigners must obtain a Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. These can be obtained from all Indian Missions, Sikkim Tourism offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, District Magistrates Office at Darjeeling, Shiliguri and Rongpo, on the strength of an Indian Visa. The 30 days duration permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of passport and visa along with two passport size photos of the applicants are given. The permissible duration of the stay for foreign tourists is 30 days initially. For those interested in going for trekking in the interior region of the state, the Tourism and Civil Aviation issues Protected Area Permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of two or more foreigners subject to condition that the trekking program is arranged through a registered travel agency. April to September is the ideal time to visit Sikkim.
Communication: The official language of Sikkim is Nepali, which is also the primary language of the locals. Many other languages such as Djongkha and Tibetan are also spoken by similar numbers. However, Hindi is also widely spoken as a second language and all educated people can speak English.