Covered in clouds Gangtok the capital of Sikkim is located
on a ridge at a height of 5500 above sea-level. The town provides a spectacular
view of the Khangchendzonga. Gangtok was once an important transit point for
traders travelling between India and Tibet. Today it is a busy administrative
and business centre. It also presents an
interesting mix of cultures and communities. Gangtok is a cosmopolitan town
that offers travelers all possible amenities. Hotels are available catering to
all price ranges along with eateries that serve a variety of cuisines catering
to all taste buds. Gangtok also has shopping complexes, night clubs, pool
parlors and other recreational activities for those who are looking for such
services.
MG marg the main market place of Gangtok is a great place
for shoppers. The mall is lined with shops on both sides for those who want to
shop. On MG marg an annual food and culture festival is conducted in the month
of December. In this festival the multi cultural cuisine of Sikkim is presented
along with songs and dances. This event attracts a large number of tourists and
locals each year. You can also get a bird’s eye view of Gangtok from the
bi-cable Zig-back ropeway.
The one kilometer ride from Deorali to Tashiling
costs Rupees thirty and takes seven minutes. Each cabin of the ropeway can fit
in twenty-five people at a time. The ropeway has been fitted with fully
computerized modern safety mechanism of international standards. There is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Tok. This temple is located
at a height of 7200 feet. The location is completely free of pollution of city
life. Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology is the most prestigious research
institute of its kind in the world; NIT is a treasure of vast collection of
rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas.
I got a chance to visit exotic Gangtok through my Club Mahindra Membership. I got this membership once when I had gone out on an outing. A boy approached me and asked for my name and number. I gave it and soon I got a call from the Club Mahindra office to sign up for their holiday scheme. I found the rates very reasonable and the EMIs were really low. I decided to sign up for the holidays and after that I went on my holiday to Gangtok. This place is really lovely. The Club Mahindra resort is located quite a distance away from Gangtok. The approach road is very bad, yet it is a lovely place once you reach there. The dining option is limited to the one in-house restaurant. There are some shacks out which sell cheap food like momos. It is very delicious and cheaply priced. All the rooms give you a beautiful view of the valley. The staff at the resort is very helpful and friendly. The rooms are well-maintained and the staff provides good room-service. I enjoyed my trip to Gangtok. It has many interesting places to visit and you get to see many Buddhist relics from the past showing the rich culture that is part of Gangtok.
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