Visit Gangtok with me!!

BY SHITAL PRADHAN

Sikkim has always been a peaceful abode and a traveller’s paradise. To understand its beauty, one needs to discover this heaven, its passion, and its perfect picture. There could be no better choice than to start the journey from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

Gangtok is one of the much sought-after holiday destinations in India today. Over the last five years, the number of tourists visiting India and abroad has increased. Tracing back the origin of the Gangtok city the book “ The Gazetteer of Sikhim” published in 1894 writes of a place called Gantok from where a common man Phungshog Namgyal was summoned to Yoksam in West Sikkim by the three Tibetan Lamas and proclaimed as the Chogyal (King) of Sikkim. The year is given as 1641.

The existence of the hamlet of Gangtok remains unknown till 1894, when, in the reign of Chogyal, Sir Thutob Namgyal shifted the capital of the Namgyal Dynasty from Tumlong to the present Gangtok. The 300-year-old Namgyal Dynasty ended a century later and was erased from the world map. Sikkim joined the Indian Union in 1975. Small-time Gangtok has grown to be a big city, but the town remains at its best, attracting visitors to tell the tale of a wonderful and peaceful Sikkim.

The entire city of Gangtok can be visited in a day, but the tiresome task is enthralling and exciting. For the readers of this blog, our journey starts from the temple of Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Tok, where one can see the beauty of the Himalayan range and the morning sunrise. We stayed for 30 minutes, then some 3 km down the road. We entered the Bye Pass road to visit Ganesh Tok, which has a small lord Ganesha temple on the roadside. This place offers a panoramic view of Gangtok. Near to it is a cafeteria that serves hot tea and light meals. Stay here for 20 minutes. If you are fond of wildlife, there is no place other than Bulbuley, located exactly opposite Ganesh Tok. 3 km long wildlife Park has different Himalayan animal species in a semi-natural habitat. It will take around one hour to visit the entire 205 hectares of the Park. The other end of the Park will lead to Smiriti Van, where one can plant a sapling. 

Tashi View Point is another 2 km that offers a picturesque view of the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga and Mt Siniolchu. Here, you can enjoy the cool breeze and have your lunch in one of the many resting sheds. After half an hour, it is time to pack up and move towards the Government Institute of Cottage Industries at Zero Point. On the way, you can see Vajra Cinema Hall, Sikkim’s largest-capacity cinema hall.

Take some 15 minutes to look at the artistic material made in the Industry itself. Then, leave for White Hall, one of the old architectural marvels of the state. The Flower Show adjacent to white Hall will give you the flavour of the floral beauty of the region. You can take around 20 minutes to enjoy the beauty of the floras. Then, rest in Ridge Park in front of Nehru Point. Rest for half an hour and then move toward Gangtok’s oldest monastery of Enchey, a little away from Tashi Namgyal Academy. This 200-year-old Enchey monastery, through the thick forest, will make you experience another world. Here you can spend one hour and go back to Ridge Park.

Crossing Nehru Point, enjoy the smooth walk along Ridge Road, where the city's main market used to be. You will find the Royal Gate to the Place on the way, but it is restricted to the passerby. A little ahead will come a Secretariat complex where the state's developmental process is discussed and put to work. The narrow passage of the Secretariat complex to the Government Press office leads to Hurhurray Dara. You will find a nice view of the adjoining lush green valley. Spend around 15 minutes out here. You can ride on a recently opened Ropeway to Deorali within walking distance. 

Reaching Deorali, you can visit Do-Drul Chorten and the most popular Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology, which holds a huge collection of Buddhist scriptures. Take a noon walk and feel the serene beauty of the park dedicated to the late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal. Here you can have your tea and snacks. We end our journey at this park and depart to the hotel. The city journey was tiresome but equally entertaining. It would be more interesting to visit this place and feel its beauty.