Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Gangtok, Sikkim - 'Small is beautiful'

Capital of the Indian state of Sikkim. A hill station and a famous Buddhist Pilgrimage site. There is more!

I spent 7 days and 6 nights on the foothills of the Himalayas! The Nepalis, Bhutias, Lepchas & the Tibetans term Gangtok as “The abode of Gods!”. Gangtok literally means ‘Hilltop’ located approximately 5500 feet above sea level. Well-maintained roads, pavements & tourist locations and well-connected taxi services add to the already existing attractions of Gangtok. Indian Government spends lavishly for the development of the North-Eastern states and it clearly is reflected in Gangtok where children are offered free education and complimentary uniforms too! I found no beggars on the streets! (Not even one!!). 

Temperature in the place during summer is completely bearable and during winter is completely unbearable! Moving in & around Gangtok can be either through walk or a taxi. You will find drug rehabilitation centres and hoardings for the prevention of AIDS in every alternative building! Hindi and Nepali are widely spoken.


Natula! ‘The Natula pass’ is the border between India and Tibet and you will need to obtain prior permission to visit the place. Two passport size photographs & photo identity cards are required for the process. It is a 4 hour drive from Gangtok . It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mid-may is the time our soldiers reach the Natula border and they have to stay there for two and a half years!!! The exclamation is because of the climate! May17th noon (peak summer) I was there and the temperature recorded -2 degree Celsius! Imagine in winter! Soft and tidy snow, amazing scenery, hot buns and the coffee shop named 14,000 are the highlights of the place. The Natula pass is located 14,350 feet (approx) above sea level! (omg! I was there!). There are a lot of shops that offer fur-coats and boots to enable you withstand the temperature of the Natula.


The view of Tsmogo Lake is breathtaking!! Yak there, takes us around the lake for sirf 350 bucks and it is worth the ride!
I happened to meet the little monks in a Buddhist monastery. They are supposed to eat raw fruits & vegetables and survive without sweaters, shawls & their parents for months together! I met a granny in Ganeshtok temple wearing a typical Tibetan dress and I wanted to take a snap of her. Guess what?! She told me she can pose only if I give her 500 bucks!! Unethically, I had to take a long shot of her without her knowledge!




 

Unique bright-coloured flowers are found all over Gangtok. M.G.Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) is the central shopping zone of Gangtok and it is a “spit-free, litter-free" zone which for its successful maintenance deserves a big round of applause. Aritar Lake is another fascinating location and not many people know the place. A day or two spent in the DOK bungalow there can be a chilling experience! The Banjhakri falls are not to be forgotten.


 

Altogether, snow-perched peaks, ultimate & unmatched scenery, foggy & sweet-smelling streets, dark fresh-water lakes, orchid nurseries and cute kids make you feel like you live in a fairyland!

                       


Nearest airport is Bagdodra. Gangtok is a 4 hour drive from there with the Teesta River accompanying you all along. Pre-paid and post-paid taxis are available right from the airport. Nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. The drive to Gangtok through Siliguri is quite amusing exclusively because of the funny and interesting hoardings and sign-boards that read:

“IF YOU SLEEP, YOUR FAMILY WILL WEEP”,
“WELCOME TO SERENE SULTRY SIKKIM”,
“DRIVE LIKE HELL AND YOU WILL BE THERE”,
“ANYTIME IS SAFETY TIME” etc.
 

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