Of mountains, beauty and Gangtok

I always have had this fascination for the bea utifully carved furniture that I often see in the exhibitions. They come from Sikkim I have been told. Then there are the lepcha weave bags and beautiful durries all of which attract my attention a lot. Completely decorated with intricate designs the entire idea of the decorative pieces from this part of India is always an area of curiosity for me.

So when I got a chance to go to Gangtok with my friends I didn’t leave it. I just grabbed the opportunity to visit Sikkim for the wedding of my friends’ daughter. This is where we also get lovely thanka hangings and beautifully crafted Choktse tables. The bright masks with vibrant colours and the beauty of the decorative items is all a thing to be experienced.

Gangtok, in the state of Sikkim and the capital is reached by the Bagdogra airport, which is around 124 km from this city. A drive of four hours would take you from the airport to the city of Gangtok. If you want to take a train then go to New Jalpaiguri which is around 125 km from this city. The city is also connected to Kalimpong, Siliguri and Darjeeling by the NH31.

Gangtok literally means the “Lofty Hill”. This city is one with the best stories of prayers, invocations and monasteries. This is where the Lamas are found invoking God with their prayers and the pagoda roofed houses dot the entire region with an air of warmth and friendliness. And rightly so, as the locals here are extremely friendly and hospitable. Spice, silver, jewellery, silk and any other item that would gladden a female would certainly lure any tourist to this part of the world. With the Lukshyama Hill overlooking the city of Gangtok and the citadel of the magic Khang Chen Dzodnga overlooking the entire region, the city of Gangtok is a must see spot for anyone touring India.

I got completely enchanted as I got into the city from the airport and I looked forward to days of fun and pleasure here. The marriage over and the very next day I set out on my own to go around Gangtok. The enthralling scenic beauty takes a lot of time to seep into your psyche and the plethora of panoramic views coupled with the flamboyant nature of the surroundings completely left me mesmerized. I heard trumpet sounds and realized that the lamas were sounding them.

I went to the deer park here which lies next to the new secretariat. This is also known by the name of Rustomji Park. Rustomji was one of the Dewans of the Sikkim chogyal. The park has animals which are typical in Sikkim and the red panda and the Himalayan Bear are other examples. There is a big statue of Lord Buddha here which has been built in memory of the noble truths that have been preached by Buddha. There is a lamp which continuously burns in front of the statue and there are lovely flowers which dominate the area. There is a great view of the hills and the place completely relaxed my tired nerves.

Dro-dul Chorten was the next place I went to. This was built and supervised by the Most Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche.

Then I went to the Government Institute of Cottage Industries .This was a great institute that is located in the main market of Gangtok. The main reason it was established was to promote manufacture of handicrafts. People also wanted to sell them. Thankas or Thangkas and wooden tables with lovely carvings are found here. These wooden tables are known as Choksees and they really look beautiful. You also have the beautifully woven carpets of wool. May students work here and produce cottage crafts. There are lovely textures and beautifully crafted designs. There is a lot of durability to these products and the appliqué work and the Batik designs are popular across the world. The hand painted masks and the fantastically decorative lamp stands, the bamboo craft and the esoteric masks, the lovely extravagantly embroidered brocades and the beautiful boots are all a part of the tour here.

Then I went to the Kabi Longstok which lies just before Phodong. This is a lovely locale surrounded by trees and the brotherhood feeling between the Lepcha Chieftain and the Tibetan chief Khye Bhumsa was signed here.

The entire feeling of being in a mini paradise had quite enthralled me and then the sights at the Kangchendzonga national Park also was an added treat. As the climb got gradually higher, the snow and the pristine forests covered the entire area with a virgin look. The rocky terrain and the jagged landscape coupled with the intermittent sunlight completed my wish to be in heaven.

Then I went to the Kechopari Lake and the Labrang Monastery, Lachung and the Pemayangtse Monastery, Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs, and the Research Institute of Tibetology. A visit to the Rumtek Monastery and the Royal Chapel completed my travel to Gangtok.