Sikkim as a Tourist Destination

Sikkim is well known for its scenic splendors, mesmerizing landscapes, breathtaking views of mountain and snow, rare fauna and flora varieties, hospitable as well as warm people and the majestic Mount Kanchendzonga.

Every public park or building which is located in Sikkim is associated with either Kanchendzonga or Lord Buddha in one way or the other. Even the Secretariat of the State or Tashiding's entrance roof is styled in the form of a Tibetan pagoda.

Adventure tourism has grown rapidly over the last few years in Sikkim. Today, a huge number of tourists visit Sikkim for its mountains as well as snow. This has slightly put Sikkim's cultural side away from the limelight. It has been taken over by the more sublime and aesthetic frontier which includes Sikkim's pagodas, gompas and monasteries.

Tibetan Buddhism is hugely prevalent in Sikkim. Tibet was introduced with Buddhism in the 8 th century. Later this spread onto Sikkim as well as other nearby places. Buddhist commentaries and texts have been translated from the language of Sanskrit. You must visit Tibetology's research institute (RIT) while touring Sikkim. This is located in Gangtok, which is Sikkim's capital. A huge amount of research is carried out at this institute regarding Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism differs from other popular religions in a way that here devotees seek Nirvana while other religions include prayers, hymns, spirit worship and related “shamanistic” elements. The West is also gradually rediscovering Buddhism. Richard Gere, a Hollywood superstar adopted Tibetan Buddhism and travels each year for several months as well as speaks on His Holiness's behalf. Another star, Steven Seagal has gained recognition from Penor Rinpoche, Nyingma lineage's supreme head as someone who has been reincarnated as a “Tulku” (Lama).

Not only celebrities but also the general public of the West is accepting Buddhism in a major way. This is substantiated by the fact that almost all the monasteries and Buddhist temples, about 1,500 in number in U.S. are found totally packed. For instance, a new temple of Tibetan Buddhism is erected in the southern part of California, after the passage of every couple of months.

Desolate countryside landscape of Sikkim and its bewitching beauty is equally exquisite as the highly prevalent Tibetan architecture. Monasteries are predominantly located in the countryside. Here you can interact with lamas while enjoying “churpi” or hardened cheese which is prepared from yak milk.

Western tourists can be found in Gangtok all over the year. You can come across trekkers dancing on the numbers of hard rock in scantily lit restaurants. The city gets enveloped by an enchanting feeling at dusk whereas it sports a festival like appearance during the day. Stars, lights and sounds of trumpets and prayer recitals in distant monasteries located on hill-top makes the atmosphere truly ethereal.

Drupka Teshi, Sikkim's most colorful festival is celebrated for marking the foremost preaching of Lord Buddha to his primary five disciples. He preached four highly important “Noble Truths” of life to his disciples in Sarnath's Deer park as well as North Sikkim's Muguthang. A spectacular race of yaks is conducted at Muguthang after rituals and prayers are over. Though the road to this rarefied placed is not in extremely good condition but you forget all about it after witnessing the splendid yak race. Entire village people gather for this race dressed in appropriate manner required for bulldozing. Large mountain yaks are made to participate in this extremely fierce competition.