Gangtok (Photo Feature)

Gangtok

Gangtok(Hill Top), the capital and largest town of Sikkim, is located at an altitude of 1437 m in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range. It is home to a mix of different ethnicities including Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutias.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT), the only one of its kind, is a treasure trove of Tibetan literature and artifacts. There are only 2 other Tibetology institutes in the world – Institute of Peoples of Asia in Moscow and Toyo Bunko in Tokyo.

This institute was founded in 1958 by the 11th Chogyal, Tashi Namgyal. The institute has helped the world to realize that Tibetan literature is not just about dharma & tantra and that it actually includes a wide variety of subjects including history, geography, botany, chemistry, medicine, surgery, art and architecture.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

Do-Drul Chorten

This is the most significant and one of the largest stupas in Sikkim. It was built in 1945 by Truslshi Rimpoche, who was then the head of Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Prayer wheels

Do-drul Chorten

Cable Car ride

The Cable Car covers a distance of about 1 km between Deorali market and Tashiling. The ride provides interesting views of the market below.

View from the Cable Car

View from the Cable Car

MG Road

MG Road is the happening place in Gangtok with pedestrian only roads, restaurants, cafes, and bars.

MG Road

Enchey Gompa

The Enchey Gompa, built in 1909, is Gangtok’s most attractive gompa with interesting murals and statues of Tantric deities.

Enchey Gompa

It hosts the yearly Detor Chaam masked dances in December/January.

View from Enchey Gompa

Tashi Viewpoint

Tashi Viewpoint, built by Tashi Namgyal, offers views of the majestic Mount Khangchenjunga.

Tashi Viewpoint