Sikkim

Contemplation and Khangchendzonga

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Khangchendzonga at 8586m is the third highest peak in the world. It is not a calm and serene mountain as it appears to be when viewed from Darjeeling or Sikkim. Both ice and rock avalanches of incredible dimensions are frequent occurences.Hurricanes of incredible force are one of the deadliest of Kanchenjunga’s weapons which plays havoc with any intruder who ventures “to walk the heights of gods.” This is an article which I wrote sometime ago but Kanchenjuga remains ageless.

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Yuksom – a peaceful abode in the laps of Eastern Himalayas

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Yuksom is still regarded as the base camp of Kanchenjungha, although ascent from Sikkim side has stopped over a decade ago. The mountains are revered as God by localites and stepping foot on the sacred slopes amounts to desecration of the divine forces. Kanchenjungha is abode of the Gods. We came across camps of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Their basic and advanced mountaineering courses are conducted at Rathong Glacier, the starting point of which also happens to be Yuksom.

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नाथुला पास का यात्रा वृत्तांत

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ऐसी विषम परिस्थितियों में भी सीमा के प्रहरियों को मुस्तैदी से डंटा देख उन्हें सलाम करने का मन हुआ  और हमारी खुशकिस्मती थी कि उनके प्रति आभार और सम्मान व्यक्त करने का अवसर भी मिला। हमारे जाँबाज़ सिपाही जान पे खेल के ना सिर्फ सीमा की सुरक्षा करते हैं, बल्कि हम जैसे यात्रियों की सुविधा का भी ख्याल रखते हैं।

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Trek to Goecha La – Yuksom to Dzongri

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We gathered in small groups in the tents to chat and while away the time. Dinner was served at around 8 p.m. at the one- room camp house which was occupied by cook Sumit Rai and his men. When I had ventured out of my tent around mid-night to go to the toilet-tent, I was awestruck on seeing small silvery snowflakes dropping from a clear sky. The moon shone in its silvery best.

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Summer in Sikkim-way to Pelling

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We crossed the border to enter Sikkim. Smooth good road replaced the bumpy and potholed road, air became cooler, traffic lighter and River Rangit replaced Teesta. Soon there was no traffic at all. We were the only one on the road and River Rangit was there, revealing its beauty to prove Aaroop right. Yes!!! Rangit was dancing, flirting and romancing with us. I have traveled along rivers in Uttaranchal, Himachal but nothing like this.

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Enchanting Sikkim, Disappointing Darjeeling

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The next day, we visited the main market of Gangtok, M.G. Road. The market is pedestrian friendly, as no vehicles are allowed to ply on this road. Being at this place gave us a feeling of being somewhere in Singapore or Malaysia. The best of brands, right from Bata to Adidas and Lee Cooper to Louis Vitton dominated the signboards. The shops displayed not only the brands, but also the local stuff, especially, trendy woolens and shoes. The locals are well and fashionably dressed to the extent that the tourists from the metros appear to have outdated knowledge of fashion.

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Gangtok-Namchi-Pelling-Darjeeling tour- part 1

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We walked down to MG Road, and found it is such a nice open place with no-vehicle movement and lots of good eating and shopping options. Such large area for pedestrian and kids were just so happy in running here and there. We should also have something like this in Delhi NCR too; all we have here are malls or congested markets with no place to walk. I found Gangtok a very safe place for girls too.

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Ranka Monestry Gangtok

Sikkim : A mystic land

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Sikkim is a truly mystical land, a confluence of advancement and mysticism. It is India’s least populated state, hosts Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak,…

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Hundred in Gangtok – Part 5 (Final)

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But me and my camera was not having any desire of sleeping as I wanted to capture the beautiful Teesta river in my eyes as well in the camera lens. The views from the bus window were amazing. Early morning, cloudy weather, green high mountains and flowing Teesta; I could not ask more from the Nature. I clicked endless photographs. After some time it started raining which made the surrounding more beautiful. Around 7.30 we stopped in the middle near a small tea shop just near the banks of the Teesta. It was a great experience to have tea on the banks of Teesta while is was raining outside.

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Hundred in Gangtok – Part 4

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The very first place to visit was Tashi View Point. It was around a distance of 7 km from our hotel. It is an observation point at an altitude of 6000 ft developed be erstwhile king of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal. On clear days in early morning, this is the best place in Gangtok to view the mighty Mount Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. One final destination still remained to visit and it was Ban Jhakhri Falls. It is a theme park surrounded by lush green forest on the outskirts of Gangtok.

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