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refugees
who fled from Tibet produces superb carpets, woollens, wood carvings and
leather work. You could walk through the workshops and observe the work in
progress. The weaving and dyeing shops and the woodcarving shop are
particularly interesting and the workers, very friendly - the women have
very beautiful and expressive features. The Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute set up to train mountaineers, also has a museum containing an
interesting collection of historic mountaineering equipment, specimens of
Himalayan flora and fauna and relief model of the Himalayas. An early
morning drive to Tiger Hill for a breathtaking dawn view over Kanchanjunga
and other eastern Himalayan peaks is a fantastic experience. On your way
back you may visit the Ghoom monastery, which is the oldest and the most
famous monastery in Darjeeling. It enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha
(the coming Buddha). Another must in Darjeeling is a visit to the Happy
Valley Tea garden. Here tea is still produced by the ' orthodox' method as
opposed to the 'curling, tearing and crushing' (CTC) method adopted in the
plains. The process is a fascinating one to observe with possibilities of
lots of good pictures. Darjeeling offers plenty of options for walking. Of
special mention is the circular walk around the Observatory Hill for
breathtaking scenes of natural beauty of the Himalayas and the city below.
The shopping options of Darjeeling are revealed once you visit some of the
curio shops along Nehru Road. All things Himalayan are sold here-'thankas'
(paintings), brass statues, religious objects, jewellery, woodcarvings,
woven fabrics, carpets etc. However, bargaining is the order of the day, so
be prepare to jostle with the shopkeepers.  |
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One
reaches Pemayangtse only through one of the most incredibly beautiful
journies in the world. The views afforded by the journey itself is worth the
effort. The views of snow capped Himalayan range is unbelievable. One has to
just draw the curtains of one's bedroom and lo behold! You could almost
touch the range. Even the shadows of the great peaks are clearly visible.
Sunrise here is soul stirring! The reflections of the rising Sun on the snow
capped peaks is magical and cannot be duplicated in words. One may also
visit the Pemayangtse monastery, which is the second oldest monastery in
Sikkim and belongs to the Tantric -Nyingma-Pa sect established by an Indian
teacher. The sects monasteries are characterised by a prominent image of the
teacher along with two female consorts, and this monastery is the head of
all others in Sikkim. The sect followers wear red caps. |
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roads with hair pin bends caressing the mighty Himalayas, through tremendous
landscapes of terraced fields on the slopes of the Himalayas, swiftly
flowing Teesta river down the valley and wild banana plantations as well as
through quaint Sikkimese villages bring us to Gangtok, the capital of the
Sikkim state occupying the west side of a long ridge flanking the Ranipool
river. The scenery is spectacular and there are excellent views of the
entire Kanchanjunga range from many points in the vicinity. There are
several places of cultural interest here. The Tsuk- la -Khang chapel is the
Buddhist principal place of worship and assembly and the repository of a
large collection of scriptures. It is a beautiful and impressive building,
its interior covered with murals. Lavishly decorated alters hold images of
the Buddha, bodhisattavas, and tantric deities. There are also several
interesting wooden carvings. The Namgyalk Institute of Tibetology
established in 1958 is a unique monastery built in a traditional style and
promotes research on the language and traditions of Tibet, as well as on
Mahayana Buddhism. Then, enclosed by a peaceful forest, is an orchid
sanctuary, which has a majority of 454 species of orchids found in Sikkim A
kilometre away is a huge white chorten with a golden apex. Next to it is a
monastery for young lamas with a shrine containing a huge images of an
Indian teacher of Buddhism in Tibet. The Institute of Cottage Industries
specialises in producing hand-woven carpets, blankets, shawls, Leapcha
weaves, patterned decorative paper and Choktse tables, exquisitely carved in
relief. |
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Described
as 'paradise on earth', a holiday in Martam Village Resort is a unique
experience. Situated in the breathtaking and tranquil country side of East
Sikkim in the foot hills of the mighty Himalayas, the resort overlooks a
beautiful valley of rice terraced fields, bounded by forest covered hills.
The accommodation is ethnic in thatched cottages built in traditional
Sikkimese style to blend with the surrounding villages. Being next to
nowhere, but for nature, Martam Village Resort is the perfect location for
visitors who love nature. There are also great possibilities for wonderful
nature walks here. It would be a wonderful idea to visit some ethnic
Sikkimese villages untouched by civilisation and enjoy the fabled Sikkimese
hospitality. The world famous Rumtek Monastery is a ten-minute drive from
Martam. The monastery enshrines all that is best in traditional Tibetan
monastic architecture. When seen in the clear light of Sikkim, this
magnificent building with its red pillars, brilliantly painted fretwork and
superbly glowing murals glitters like a jewel set in the green hills.
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