5 Things That Make Sikkim Worth Visit Place

When the simmering summer rolls in and one is thinking about holidays, the first thought in one’s mind is to go for a hill station. The likes of Shimla, Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar are the usual suspects; however, there has been a surge of tourism to the North Eastern haven of Sikkim, especially its capital Sikkim. The North East has always been known to be a serene abode set in the hilly planes.

Sikkim is probably the state which is most sought after in the tourism aspect in the North East even though access into the state isn’t quite straightforward (one has to take a flight to Bagdogra from Kolkata and then get oneself a taxi that’ll ascend the mountains for a good 5-6 hours. There’s plenty of things to do and marvel at in Sikkim- from Indian casinos online (or otherwise since gambling is legal in Sikkim) to finding yourself in rooms with no fans (they don’t need any which is quite the marvel itself) to climbing steppes that’ll get you to some amazing monasteries, Sikkim is pretty much the whole package. Let’s peruse over the various reasons that should make you consider Sikkim for your next holiday:

* The Food

Yes, the food! For a lot of people who travel, food is the most immediate concern. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the fact that food keeps alive and ticking. People are bound to open some food delivery or restaurant listing application once they are a destination to gauge their options, or will embark on a long walk to figure out all the hotspots that are there to satiate their hunger. In the case of foodies that travel, food is probably the biggest influencer when it comes to them enjoying their travails. If the food is great, it makes the trip memorable. Therefore, food is the make-or-break deal of almost every vacation one takes. Imagine being stranded in some far-flung land and there’s barely anything to eat there for you.

* The Monasteries

Monasteries are a big part of what Sikkim is, given the fact that Buddhism is the majority religion there. You’d find an alluring silence enveloping these Monasteries, with the Monks seemingly at peace with the world they find themselves in and just going about their day with these serene demeanour that we can learn a thing or two about considering how hectic our lives are. There are quite a few monasteries one can visit during one’s time in Sikkim- Rumtek, Phodong, Enchey, Pemayangtse, Phensang and Tashiding. All these monasteries could involve physically climbing the steppes, which is a massive part of the lifestyle over there in Sikkim. Most people prefer to take public transport or cover distances on foot, so you’d have plenty of company when you opt to walk up to your destination. The monasteries are grand structures, quite reminiscent of the sort of monasteries you’d find in other nations with a Buddhist majority. Being the only Indian state with monasteries of all four schools of Buddhism, Sikkim could prove lend you incredible insight into the religious ethos and practices of the religion and perhaps provide you with the much-needed alone time that city life has slowly corroded and taken away from us, leading to increasing stress and taking us closer to monumental burnout. Seek out some peace!

* Plenty of Flora and Fauna

Sikkim is home to 533 species of birds, 690 species of butterflies and is the home of the Red Panda. The Red Panda is an endangered species, but the state government has been taking stringent steps to ensure that the species doesn’t go totally extinct. In terms of flora, the state boasts of 35 species of rhododendrons, 600 types of orchids, 240 species of ferns and trees and a total 150 varieties of gladioli. All in all, there’s plenty to take in for wildlife lovers.

* Arts and Culture

While we’ve already talked about the monasteries being megaliths of Buddhist architecture, there is something to be said about the artistic expression of people in Sikkim. You’d find plenty of thangkas usually lit up with jovial colours and crafted with an exquisite Tibetan edge. Thangkas are essential in the meditative practice deeply ingrained into the Buddhist culture, and so it is not surprising that while the artistry in question is vibrant, it has this soothing touch to it as well.

* Hot Water Springs, Holy Water Ceremony Of Bhum Chu and Kangchenjunga

Three of the five peaks- main, central and South of Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest mountain in the world, are located in the state.

When one thinks of Hot Water Springs, one probably thinks of Iceland or some other Scandinavian locale. You needn’t go that far to witness them, however, as you can find them in Sikkim itself! There are 5 well-known hot water springs in Sikkim, all located in seemingly exotic and beautiful locales.