|  East
Sikkim
Eastern Sikkim - in a word - gorgeous and
enchanting. Dominating the snow-capped ranges are the five magnificent
peaks of Mount Khanchenjunga, believed to be the 'abode of the
Gods.' The mountainous tract that descends southwards from this
range was called 'Denzong' or the 'valley of rice' by the Tibetans.
This is East Sikkim, where legends thrive amidst the mist and
the clouds, where myth and history are woven into a magical
tapestry.
The veil has long been lifted over the face
of this mysterious land. A National Highway now connects this
 once
inaccessible terrain to the rest of the country. Winding along
the valley of river Teesta, the road takes us to heart of East
Sikkim.
The picturesque and beautiful Gangtok
is the most prominent town in East Sikkim and also the State
Capital. Buddhists prayer chants resounding from a distance,
the pagoda-roofed houses and the numerous prayer flags give
the city its characteristic feel. But Gangtok is no longer the
sleepy hill town it once used to be. It is now a busy, commercially
active and culturally vibrant tourism centre. Gangtok, with
its multiethnic populace of Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis is
like a fascinating microcosm of the state itself. It is a city
where the traditional and the modern coexist in a harmonious
blend of culture and practices. The other most prominent tourist
destination in East Sikkim is the Tsongo
lake and Nathula pass. |
East-Sikkim
West-Sikkim
South-Sikkim
North-Sikkim
|
