|
Sikkim...
the jewel of the Eastern Himalayas
is an unforgettable destination, offbeat and unknown. It nestles in the
lap of majestic Khangchendzonga
(8585 m) the world's third
highest peak and guardian deity of Sikkim, forming a formidable backdrop which
awaits your presence to unfold her majestic splendour. It is wedged in between
the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. The region
is bou nded
by Tibet in the north and the Indian State of West Bengal in the south. It comprises
of an area of 2,818 square miles of the rich Himalayan flora and fauna, soaring
peaks, cascading waterfalls and lush moist valleys providing a scenic beauty and
aesthetic grandeur, that unfolds
before your eyes and fills your heart and sprit with a new satisfaction. The
irresistible lure of the Sikkim Himalayas provides rugged terrains for those who
have sprit of adventure. Khangchendzonga group of mountain ranges offer the most
challenging treks through most dramatic landscape and tranquil scenery. For some
white water action, the river Teesta and Rangit offers an exhilarating experience
where one can become a part of a timeless scene without any intrusion. A naturalist's
paradise, Sikkim is noted for its flora and fauna with over 4000 varieties of
flowering plants and shrubs. Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepalese who make up the major
population of Sikkim are, by nature, simple, polite and docile, people with a
natural gaiety, their culture and customs are as fascinating as the surroundings
in which they live.
 Darjeeling,
the Queen of the Hills famous the world
over as a hill resort and for the unique flavor of its tea lies
south of Sikkim. Once a part of Sikkim
it came under the British in 1835,when the then King of Sikkim gave it as a gift
to them. Nearly fifty years have passed since the departure of the British, but
echoes of it's colonial past sill remain in the English names of places and legacies
like the quaint little "Toy Train" left by them.
Kalimpong is a sleepy little town situated at an altitude of 1,200m some
50 km to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the Trans-Himalayan
trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan
over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border. This area too belonged to Sikkim
originally. With its many monasteries, picturesque little market place and friendly
people, Kalimpong still retains an Old World charm.
Today Darjeeling and Kalimpong along with Kurseong form the Darjeeling Hill Council,
an autonomous body within the state of West Bengal.
| |
