Mar 30, 2003 11:53 AM
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(Updated Mar 30, 2003 11:53 AM)
What are the ingredients that make a destination memorable? Is it the place, the hospitality, the culture…or something else? To answer this straightforward question, simply recall your most recent outing. Destinations in your memory are those that are romantic & unique. The one place that did not take long to reach & which added a matchless experience to make your celebration just perfect….Well, for me that perfect destination is none other than the fabulous state of Sikkim…
Sikkim, bordered by Tibet in the north, Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the east, & the Indian state of West Bengal in the south, is a mountainous state renowned for its enchanting natural splendor & numerous varieties of flora & fauna. Situated under the world’s third largest mountain Mt Khang-chen-dzonga (Pronounced as Mt. Kanchan Junga by tourists visiting Sikkim), Sikkim, casing an area of 7300 sq kms, is an authentic treasure house of lovers of nature…
The beauty of Sikkim is unmatched & unsurpassed. It is a land of wide topographic distinction such as opaque forests & hairless table-lands, shrubs & grasslands, hills & dales, deep gorges & snow-clad peaks, bright green impassive slopes & glossy glaciers, torrential streams & tortuous rivers. In other words, it is an artist’s paradise as one can always behold here the changing moods of nature...
Though the locals originally consisted of the Lepchas & the Bhutias, the Nepalese who came here in the 19th century, formed the majority of population. So, the language also differed in this rickety society of people. Now we have Hindi, Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia & Limbu (Which is assumed to be the original language of the Lepchas) as the regional language of Sikkim (And interestingly, this state is measuring only 65km by 115km)…
The magic of Sikkim lies in its unique landscape & panorama. Among these landscapes & marvel is the Kacheoperi Lake (Also known as the Holy Lake). The Kacheoperi Lake is encircled by thick jungle & is secreted in a mountain basin (Even though it is surrounded by heavy tropical forest, you wont find a single dead leave inside the Holy Lake). It takes approximately 2 ½ hours to cover 38km of road from Gangtok. This serene, green & safe region is covered with such wonders.
The most famous & favorite tourist location among the sightseers in Sikkim is the Tsamgo Lake (Pronounced as Changu Lake by most). In winter, this lake looks like a bride bejeweled with snow & ice of countless shades, shapes & sizes. People from around the country visit this lake during the winter season to experience the magic of snow & ice.
Among other locations worth a visit is the Yumthang Valley in north Sikkim (It lies in the restricted region & needs prior permission from the Indian High Commission or Sikkim Tourist Center). This beautiful valley is covered with pine forest, lush valleys, terraced hills & mountain peaks (In my opinion, Sikkim is more beautiful {and safe} than Kashmir).
Other places worth visiting are Paanch Pokhari, Gurudongmar Lake, Phedang, Jorethang, the Monastery of Rumtek & Phodong. The best time to visit Sikkim is between mid April & June. Though traveling from one place to another might prove to be a bit expensive at times (For instance, a normal trip from Kalimpong to Gangtok costs Rs.850…A visit further north may cost another Rs 1500 & the cost goes on increasing as you go further & deeper in to the beautiful valleys).
