Why visit Sikkim
- Third highest peak in the world Mt. Kanchendzonga
- Sikkim is a Trekkers Paradise
Rooted to the Himalayan Massif like a scale on the neck of a Dragon, Sikkim is one of the smallest states of India. Gangtok, the state capital, reflects Sikkim's extraordinary ethnic diversity. The early 20th century Enchey Monastery, located in Gangtok has a prayer hall full of vibrant murals and images, representing the entire pantheon of the Mahayana Buddhist deities. Enchey's festivals feature spectacular masked dances. The town's Namgyal Institute of Tibetology houses a rare collection of medieval Buddhist scriptures, bronzes and embroidered thangkas. The Rumtek monastery located a few kilometres southwest of Gangtok is the headquarters of the oldest Tibetan Buddhists sects, kagyupa (Black hat). An area of unspoilt natural beauty, framed by snow capped Himalayan peaks, northern Sikkim has only recently been opened to visitors. A tour of this region, following the valley of the Teesta river goes past tranquil monasteries and villages, through forests of rhododendron, to Yumthang where meadows are filled with alpine flowers. The western sector of Sikkim, houses the monastic complex of Pemayangtse in Pelling. Built in 1705 the austere three - storied main monastery is a treasure house of beautiful thangkas, murals and images with a breathtakingly intricate model of Zangdopelri, the seven-storied celestial home of Guru Padmasambhava. The annual festival here is a spectacular event. Sikkim's oldest monastery, Sangachoeling is a steep 40 minute hike through thick forests above Pemayangtse.
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