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Places to Visit at Gangtok
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Do Drul Chorten
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Do Drul Chorten is one of the many important attractions of Gangtok. It is regarded
as the most important 'stupa' of Sikkim. Built in 1945 by Trulshi Rimpoche,
head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, this stupa also has sacred gold-topped
shikhara with 108 prayer wheels. This highly revered Chorten is also characterised
by complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics
( Holy Books), complete 'Zung'( mantras) and other religious objects. The
Chorten also has two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) around it.
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Enchey Monastery
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Enchey monastery is another place you must visit in Gangtok. The Enchey monastery
literally means the solitary temple. At the time it was constructed, it was the
only building in the entire area. This place especially attracts attention during
the religious dances or 'Chaam' performed in January. Located above Siniolchu
Lodge, about 3 km away from the town centre, the relatively small monastery was
built 200 years ago and the present building was constructed in the year 1909. The
site where the monastery is built is supposed to be blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo,
a tantric master known for his flying powers. You can also get wonderful view of
Kanchenjunga from here.
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Orchid Sanctuary
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The Orchid Sanctuary makes a must visit in Gangtok. The sanctuary is famous for
its rare and extensive collection of orchids. The sanctuary's collection also
varies depending on the seasons. However, the wide spread orchid sanctuary has almost
454 species of orchid found in Sikkim. An interesting place to visit especially
for nature lovers.
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Tashi Ling
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Tashi Ling is located at a distance of just 6 kilometres from the main town. The
Tashi Ling is another important site to visit in Gangtok for it provides astounding
view of the Kanchenjunga range. Here lays the Tashi Ling monastery mostly known
for its 'Bumchu' (Sacred Pot). This pot contains holy water, which has never
run dry for last 300 years. The place also provides view of the Phodong and the
Labrang monasteries located on the opposite hill. Just a day's walk from Pemayangtse,
this is also a wonderful picnic spot.
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Namgyal Institute
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A must visit in Gangtok, the Namgyal Institute was built in the year 1958 to promote
research in Mahayan Buddhism and Tibetan language and traditions. Built in a traditional
style, this institute has world's largest collections of books and rare manuscripts
on Mahayan Buddhism, in addition to the works of art and silk embroidered Tankhas.
Moreover, it also houses relics of monks, samples of Lepcha scripts, masks and sacred
objects like Kapali, a bowl made from a human skull, and the carku, a flute made
from a thigh bone.
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How To Get To Gangtok
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By Air:
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The closest Indian Airport is at Bagdogra,124 km from Gangtok, where scheduled flights
operates to and fro from Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati.
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By Rail:
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The closest Railhead is at New Jalpaiguri which is around 148 km away from Gangtok.
It is connected to Kolkata(Calcutta), New Delhi, Guwahati and other major Indian
cities.
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By Road:
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Gangtok is at a distance of 110 km from Siliguri and will take 4 hours from Siliguri
to reach Gangtok . Gangtok is connected by road with Darjeeling (4 hrs), and with
Bhutan, Phuntsholing (6 hrs).
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