Gangtok

Gangtok, the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books. In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk and spice and jewellery to gladden an maiden's heart, from across the seven seas are gadget and goods to delight the collector of "imported goods', while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the 'Mother of Pearl' citadel of the magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.

An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has crossed the border. While across the hills and valleys comes the sounding of the long trumpets by robed lamas.


Places of interest
Institute of Tibetology About 1.5 km (nearly a mile) from downtown Gangtok is the Institute of Tibetology, an organisation dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and region. It attracts scholars from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thanks and 200 icons, all prized objects of art for the Buddhist world. The Institute has won both national and international acclaim.

Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery
This monastery is located in the palace premises near the ridge in Gangtok. It is two storied and was used during royal functions like weddings and coronations. The Phang Labsol and the Lossang festivals are celebrated in the ground adjacent to the monastery once-every year with the performance of the 'Chhams' or the masked dances.

Dul-Dul Chorten & Jhang Club Chortan
Sikkim has commemorated, with stupas, both the Buddha and one of his followers of today. Near the Deorali bazaar, are two exquisite stupas, the "Dul-dul-Chorten", was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil; the "Jhang Club Chorten" was built to perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalises rimpoche in the land of his birth.

Government Institute of Cottage Industries
Just outside Gangtok is the Government Institute of Cottage Industries which produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs from the whole state. Hand woven Tibetan carpets sprout dragons in natural dyes, Sikkinese-style tables called "Choktse" are expertly carved and richly coloured in red and gold. Hand-made rice paper is also produced. Talented children are taught the basics of knitting, weaving, leather work, basket making, mask making and painting of religious and secular themes.