Sikkim calling... its the new fav

So far Kashmir was the only 'Paradise' known to us. Its time we explored another...

Time stands still at this landwrapped in mists and clouds.Called the 'Garden State',Sikkim, with its incrediblevariety of orchids, rhododendrons,gladioli and a host ofother flowers makes you forgetreality. Tumbling streams andtorrents. Mountain monasteriesand quaint shopping plazas.The land of the mightyKhangchendzonga. (readKanchenjunga)....the list ofattractions in this secondsmallest state ofIndia is endless.

Small but beautiful, Sikkimis situated in the EasternHimalayas. Sikkim sits cozyspread below the MountKhangchendzonga (8534 mts.),the third highest mountain inthe world. Amidst the grandeurof the mountain peaks, lushvalleys, fast flowing rivers andterraced hills, Sikkim offers aspectacular and uniqueexperience.Within a matter ofhours one can move from thesub-tropical heat of the lowervalleys to the cold of therugged mountain slopes thatreach upto the areas ofperpetual snow.Wanderthrough mountain meadows,cascading rivers or denselyforested ridges. Lose yourselfin the romantic solitude of themountains. In the course ofyour wanderings, watch theelectric blue butterfly or hearthe thrush and cuckooserenade you.

Sikkim is home to a varietyof 4000 plant species --thereforethe tag line -- "GardenState" and besides the floralbeauty the state also boasts ofsome amazing wildlife. Travelingon the serpentine roads ofSikkim is a fascinatingexperience in itself. There areroads that seem to connectevery nook and corner of thestate even seeminglyinaccessible places.

People of Sikkim are warm,simple and friendly with anatural uninhibited gaiety. Thepopulation consists ofLepchas, Nepalese and Bhutias.The Lepchas are the oldest inhabitantsof Sikkim followedby the Nepalese and then theBhutias.

Religion forms the mainthread in the fabric of lifehere.With close to 194monasteries and ManiLhakangs, the influence ofBuddhism is pervasive. Themain monasteries arePemayangtse and Tashidingin West Sikkim, Enchey inGangtok and Roomtek nearGangtok, Ralong in Southand Phodong andTolung in North Sikkim.

Gangtok means "top of thehill." The town offers someexcellent views of Mt.Khangchendzonga, beautifulscenery, lovely nature walksand trails that can beexplored away from themain town. Do visit theDirectorate of Handicraftsand Hand loom.

The town of Gangtok isactually your base fromwhere to explore the rest ofthis state. Cuisine is not aproblem with enough varietyto go around for all kinds ofpalates. Getting there isn'tmuch of a fight either, thereare regular flights to thenearest airport, Bagdogra inNorth Bengal.

The two closest railwaystations are Siliguri(114 kms.) and New Jalpaiguri(125 kms) connectingCalcutta , Delhi , Guwahati,Lucknow , besides other maincities of India.

Author is the country-head ofa leading travel company.

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