Mystic & Tranquil Sikkim: An Unforgettable Journey
I went on a trip to Sikkim & Gangtok on the 2nd of June. Our Journey was set in motion with the Darjeeling Mail. We experienced ultimate opulence as we traveled first class, for the first time. Chatting, eating, sharing memorable anecdotes along the way, it was a great feeling altogether.
It was an overnight journey, so we reached New Jalpaiguri on the next day. From there, we had to travel by car, to reach Gangtok, and this is a 4-5 hours journey. This was a bit grueling; nevertheless our first glimpse of Sikkim was enough to negate the journey’s stress.
We went sightseeing to view the scenic countryside, and Rumtek Monastery was our first stop. This monastery is a reflection of Sikkim in its calmness, tranquility and its religious conviction. The monks possess an inexorable religious belief, which seems to permeate your inner self. There is a Golden Stupa inside the Monastery which is a must-visit. The flowers outside the Monastery are amazing. I have never seen such massive flowers anywhere. Shanti View point enables you to view the picturesque beauty of Gangtok, at leisure. You can devour delicious veg momos, at Shanti Viewpoint.
The Chorten Monastery was next on our agenda. This is a smaller version of the Rumtek Monastery. Its white, pristine loveliness literally takes your breath away. To reach this monastery, there is a steep incline, which yet again takes your breath away. When we reached Chorten, the monks were engaged in some sort of a spiritual conversation and it was worth the climb, to view this sacrosanct place.
Our next stop was the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. This is a Library which is adequately stored with uncommon books as well as manuscripts related with Mahayana Buddhism. This institute has a museum which exhibits Buddhist paintings, artifacts along with texts. This was the educational part of our trip.
The Flower Show was simply marvelous. There were gigantic flowers, and this was spread out over a huge area. I have never seen so many blooming flowers anywhere, though I have come across my fair share of blooming idiots.
We went to the Ropeway, in the evening. It was an interminable wait, as there was a big queue comprising people and their family unit. The wait was worth it, though The Ropeway offered a picturesque view of the mountains, and as we looked down, it seemed as if the houses and the cars on the roads were like miniature toys.
Our final destination was the Handicrafts Museum. This place exhibited the most amazing handicrafts, of Sikkim. This included durries, bright colored bags and wallets, as well as wall-hangings, and other interesting stuff.
This trip was a memorable one, especially as this was our first trip together….my husband, me & my mom & sis. We went during the rainy season, which is why we saw an unforgettable facet of Gangtok. The incessant rains during the nighttime, and the sunshine during the day, was an extraordinary experience altogether. There was a feeling of melancholy, as we could not explore Yumthang Valley and witness the incredible rhododendrons. On a more positive note, we can look forward to that on the next visit. This trip, in the meantime was simply incredible.
