81-594: The Enchey Monastery was established in 1909 above Gangtok , the capital city of Sikkim in the Northeastern Indian state . It belongs to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism . The monastery built around the then small hamlet of Gangtok became a religious centre. The location was blessed by Lama Drupthob Karpo, a renowned exponent of tantric (adept) art in Buddhism with flying powers; initially
162-700: A Director General of Police , although an Inspector General of Police oversees the town. Sikkim is known for its very low crime rate. Rongyek jail in Gangtok is Sikkim's only central jail. Gangtok is within the Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency that elects a member to the Lok Sabha ( Lower House ) of the Indian Parliament . The city elects one member in the Sikkim state legislative assembly,
243-616: A nation-state with Gangtok as its capital. Sikkim came under the suzerainty of India, with the condition that it would retain its independence, by the treaty signed between the Chogyal and the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru . This pact gave the Indians control of external affairs on behalf of Sikkimese. Trade between India and Tibet flourished through the Nathula and Jelepla passes , benefiting Gangtok. Trade declined with
324-427: A crisp samosa -like case) and Gack-ko soup. Restaurants offer a wide variety of traditional Indian, continental and Chinese cuisines to cater to the tourists. Churpee , a kind of hard cheese made from cow's or yak 's milk is sometimes chewed. Chhang is a local frothy millet beer traditionally served in bamboo tankards and drunk through bamboo or cane straws. Football (soccer) , cricket and archery are
405-446: A few kilometres of the town centre and many have their own vehicles such as two-wheelers and cars. The share of personal vehicles and taxis combined is 98% of Gangtok's total vehicles, a high percentage when compared to other Indian cities. City buses constitute less than one per cent of vehicles. Those travelling longer distances generally make use of share-jeeps, a kind of public taxis. Four wheel drives are used to easily navigate
486-476: A form of meditation and an offering to the gods . The leader of the cham is typically a musician, keeping time with a percussion instrument like cymbals , the one exception being Dramyin Cham , where time is kept using dramyin . The term "devil dance" was an early 20th century description of the performance, derived from Western perceptions of the costumes worn by performers. Chams often depict incidents from
567-415: A heritage structure built in stone masonry with 500 mm thick walls, is a double storied structure with timber frames making up the columns and beams in the roof and also in the flooring. Galvanised iron sheet roofing is also supported on wooden trusses. The masonry wall was damaged due to seismic shear. The decorative plaster of the walls also fell off due to cracks in the masonry walls and spoiled some of
648-406: A major impediment to the natural and balanced growth of the city. Densely forested regions surround Gangtok, temperate, deciduous forests of poplar , birch , oak and elm , as well as evergreen , coniferous trees of the wet alpine zone. Orchids are common and rare varieties of orchids are featured in flower shows in the city. Bamboo is also abundant. In the lower reaches of the town,
729-431: A pilgrimage place. However, the monastery as seen now was aesthetically built in 1909, one of the two in Gangtok, like a Chinese Pagoda during the rule of Sikyong Tulku (1909–1910). The monastery was built at the exact location where Lama Druptub Karbo had his hermitage. The monastery is topped by a shining golden cupola . It houses a number of images of Gods, Goddesses and religious objects. The deities worshipped in
810-578: A popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840. In 1894, the ruling Sikkimese Chogyal , Thutob Namgyal , transferred the capital to Gangtok. In the early 20th century, Gangtok became a major stopover on the trade route between Lhasa in Tibet and cities such as Kolkata (then Calcutta) in British India . After India won its independence from
891-420: A public library. The main service providers are Sikkim Cable , Nayuma , Dish TV and Doordarshan . All India Radio has a local station in Gangtok, which transmits various programmes of mass interest. Gangtok has three FM stations, namely 93.5 (Red FM), 95.0 (Radio Misty), 91.9 (Nine FM) and one AIR Gangtok radio station. BSNL , Vodafone , Jio and Airtel have the four largest cellular networks in
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#1732780600559972-690: A regional centre in the city. There are other institutions offering diplomas in Buddhist literature, catering and other non-mainstream fields. District Institute of Education and Training and State Institute of Education conduct teacher training programmes. More than 50 newspapers are published in Sikkim. Multiple local Nepali and English newspapers are published, whereas regional and national Hindi and English newspapers, printed elsewhere in India, are also circulated. Gangtok has two cinemas featuring Nepali, Hindi and English-language films. The town also has
1053-399: A share of 88% of the total urban population. The quality of life, the pace of development and availability of basic infrastructure and employment prospects has been the major cause for rapid migration to the city. With this migration, the urban services are under pressure, intensified by the lack of availability of suitable land for infrastructure development. Ethnic Nepalis , who settled in
1134-460: A significant part of Buddhism in Mongolia before it was banned under communist rule in 1924. The Stalinist purges in Mongolia destroyed over 700 monasteries, killed tens of thousands of Mongolian monks and lamas, and forcibly laicized thousands more monks. The mass murder of so much of Mongolia's monastic culture seriously threatened the tsam dance with extinction, as few practitioners survived
1215-579: A small Gompa was established by him after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim to this site. The literal meaning of Enchey Monastery is the "Solitary Monastery". Its sacredness is attributed to the belief that Khangchendzonga and Yabdean – the protecting deities – reside in this monastery. As, according to a legend, Guru Padmasambhava had subdued the spirits of the Khangchendzonga, Yabdean and Mahākāla here. In view of this legend,
1296-707: A third eye on their foreheads to represent the "need for inner reflection." The dance festivals are usually held prior to the Losar , the Tibetan New Year day (February/March) and Losoong, the Sikkimese New Year (December/January). Gangtok Gangtok ( Nepali: [gantok] gāntok , Sikkimese: [ɡaŋt̪ʰòk] ) is the capital and the most populous city of the Indian state of Sikkim . The seat of eponymous district , Gangtok
1377-596: Is Siliguri Junction (station code - SGUJ). There are quite many trains that connect Siliguri Junction with Sealdah railway station in Kolkata and others parts of north-east India. Work has begun on a broad-gauge railway link from Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, which is planned for extension to Gangtok. Pakyong Airport is spread over 400 ha (990 acres) at Pakyong, about 35 km (22 mi) south of Gangtok. At 1,400 m (4,500 ft), it
1458-405: Is 78.68. About 8% of Gangtok's population live in the nine notified slums and squatter settlements, all on Government land. More people live in areas that depict slum-like characteristics but have not been notified as slums yet because they have developed on private land. Of the total urban population of Sikkim, Gangtok Municipal Corporation has a share of 55.5%. Including Gangtok, East District has
1539-560: Is a large employer in Sikkim and in 2003 the Sikkim state government declared the goal of converting the whole sector to organic production. The goal of 100% organic was achieved in 2016. This achievement offers new export opportunities to grow the agriculture sector, to achieve premium prices and new opportunities for agritourism . Gangtok is administered by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) along with
1620-401: Is around 9 kilometres away from the city centre M.G. Marg in Gangtok. Gonjang Monastery built in 1981 by H.E. Tingkye Gonjang Rimpoche, features marvelous Tibetan architecture. The Buddhist monastery features golden statues and a huge prayer wheel below the main shrine. The monastery is also popular for the panoramic scenic mountain views it offers. The Thakurbari Temple , located in the heart of
1701-513: Is challenged by the lack of trained human resources in the state." Sikkim as a whole, and particularly masonry structures, are vulnerable to suffer damage from such severe earthquakes. Hence, it has been suggested to adopt "safer constructions through choice of appropriate construction systems, incorporation of earthquake resistant technology, use of good construction materials and their quality control, and involvement of competent manpower for design, construction and supervision." The Enchey Monastery,
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#17327806005591782-601: Is characterised by intense torrential rains, often causing landslides that block Gangtok's land access to the rest of the country. Rainfall starts to rise from pre- monsoon in May and peaks during the monsoon, with July recording the highest monthly average of 649.6 mm (25.6 in). In winter temperature averages between 4 °C (39 °F) and 7 °C (45 °F). Snowfall is rare and in recent times, Gangtok has received snow only in 1990, 2004, 2005 and 2020. Temperatures below freezing are also rare. During this season
1863-408: Is disposed in a dump located about 20 km (12 mi) from the city. There is no waste collection from inaccessible areas where vehicles cannot reach, nor does any system of collection of waste exist in the adjoining rural areas. The city is under a statewide ban on the use of polythene bags. Taxis are the most widely available public transport within Gangtok. Most of the residents stay within
1944-559: Is functioning in Gangtok; the university has been allotted land in neighbouring Yang Yang town for establishment of its own campus. The university offers a diverse range of courses and has a number of institutes affiliated to it. 8 km (5.0 mi) from here is the headquarters of the Sikkim Manipal University , which houses Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology . The Indira Gandhi National Open University also has
2025-538: Is in the eastern Himalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The city's population of 100,000 consists of the three Sikkimese ethnicities: the Bhutias , Lepchas , Nepalis as well as plainsmen from other states of India. Within the higher peaks of the Himalayas and with a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim's tourism industry. Gangtok rose to prominence as
2106-505: Is located at 27°19′57″N 88°36′50″E / 27.3325°N 88.6140°E / 27.3325; 88.6140 (coordinates of Gangtok head post office). It is in the lower Himalayas at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The town is on the side of a hill, with "The Ridge", a promenade with the Raj Bhawan , the governor 's residence, at one end and the palace, at an altitude of about 1,800 m (5,900 ft), at
2187-515: Is one of the five highest airports in India, and also the first greenfield airport to be constructed in the Northeastern Region of India, the 100th operational airport in India, and the only airport in the state of Sikkim. The airport was inaugurated by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2018 and the first commercial flights from the airport began on 4 October 2018 between Pakyong and Kolkata . According to
2268-443: Is performed by Buddhist monks and operates in two levels, to achieve enlightenment and to destroy evil forces. The dancers often hold a skull and scarf tied together and then attached to the hilt of a purba . In Bhutan , the dances are performed during the annual religious festivals or tshechu , held in the dzong in each district. The Cham is performed by monks, sometimes nuns and villagers. The Royal Academy of Performing Arts
2349-522: Is the momo , a steamed dumpling containing pork, beef and vegetables cooked in a doughy wrapping and served with watery soup. Wai-Wai is a packaged snack consisting of noodles which are eaten either dry or in soup form. A form of noodle called thukpa , served in soup form is also popular in Gangtok. Other noodle-based foods such as the chowmein , thenthuk , fakthu, gyathuk and wonton are available. Other traditional Sikkimese cuisine include shah-phaley (Sikkimese patties with spiced minced meat in
2430-490: Is the main body which promotes the preservation of the culture of Cham. This honors Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and celebrates his deeds through the performance of sacred dances. Since Guru Rinpoche was a fully enlightened being, he is extremely important in Bhutan and it is through his teachings that Bhutanese devotees are shown the true and fast path to enlightenment. These dances assist in cultivating faith and understanding of
2511-466: Is underlain by Precambrian rocks which contain foliated phyllites and schists ; slopes are therefore prone to frequent landslides. Surface runoff of water by natural streams ( jhora ) and man-made drains has contributed to the risk of landslides. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards , the town falls under seismic zone-IV (on a scale of I to V, in order of increasing seismic activity), near
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2592-644: The Border Roads Organisation , a division of the Indian army . Several roads in Gangtok are reported to be in a poor condition, whereas building construction activities continue almost unrestrained in this city lacking proper land infrastructure. Most households are supplied by the central water system maintained and operated by the PHED. The main source of PHED water supply is the Rateychu River , located about 16 km (9.9 mi) from
2673-471: The British Empire in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital. After Sikkim's merger with India in 1975, Gangtok continued as the state capital. The precise meaning of the name "Gangtok" is unclear, though most agree that the meaning is "hill top". Like the rest of Sikkim, not much is known about the early history of Gangtok. The earliest records date from
2754-603: The Himalayan black bear , red pandas , the barking deer , the snow leopard , the leopard cat , Tibetan wolf , masked palm civet and the spotted deer , amongst the others. Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens, near Rumtek, houses many species of orchid and as many as fifty different species of tree, including many oaks . Gangtok's schools are either run by the state government or by private and religious organisations. Schools mainly use English and Nepali as their medium of instruction. The schools are either affiliated with
2835-702: The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education , Central Board of Secondary Education or the National Institute of Open Schooling . Notable schools include the Tashi Namgyal Academy , Paljor Namgyal Girls School, Holy Cross School, Taktse International School , Sikkim Judicial Academy , and Kendriya Vidyalaya . Colleges conferring graduate degrees include Sikkim Government College , Sikkim Government Law College and Damber Singh College. Sikkim University established in 2007
2916-524: The Vidhan Sabha . The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won both the parliamentary election in 2009 and the state assembly seat in the 2009 state assembly polls . Electricity is supplied by the power department of the Government of Sikkim . Gangtok has a nearly uninterrupted electricity supply due to Sikkim's numerous hydroelectric power stations. The rural roads around Gangtok are maintained by
2997-533: The convergent boundary of the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates and is subject to frequent earthquakes. The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the town in the distance. Mount Kanchenjunga (8,598 m or 28,209 ft)—the world's third-highest peak—is visible to the west of the city. The existence of steep slopes, vulnerability to landslides, large forest cover and inadequate access to most areas have been
3078-426: The 2006 Earthquake (with the maximum intensity of shaking as VII on MSK scale); wide shear and vertical cracks were noted in masonry walls, at corners and near openings. It was not the first time that the monastery, among other masonry structures in Sikkim, was subject to damage by earthquake. Earthquake events in the 1980 and 1988 had also caused damage to the monastery but the repairs done were not adequate, as in 2006,
3159-833: The Chinese crackdown in Tibet in 1959 and the passes were sealed after the Sino-Indian War in 1962. The Nathula pass was finally opened to limited trade in 2006, fuelling hopes of economic boom. In 1975, after years of political uncertainty and struggle, including riots, the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India's twenty-second state, with Gangtok as its capital after a referendum. Gangtok has witnessed annual landslides , resulting in loss of life and damage to property. The largest disaster occurred in June 1997, when 38 were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed. Gangtok
3240-598: The Enchey Monastery are: the Singhe Chaam performed once every three years, Pang Lhabsol commemorating the swearing of blood-brotherhood between the Bhutias and Lepchas in the presence of Khangchendzonga as witness. The Cham dances are mask dances where the dancers wearing ornate robes perform dances representing the Tibetan deity figurines of Mahakala (the protector) and mythical snow lions; both depict
3321-620: The Guru deeds, and as such both honor and educate the attendees. Dances are performed during cultural and religious festivals in: Tsam ( Mongolian : Цам) dance was not introduced to Mongolia until the early 19th century, however it rapidly gained popularity and visibility with celebrations such as the Tsam festival and the opera Tale of the Moon Cuckoo . Tsam came to incorporate both tantric and older, shamanistic elements of dance. It became
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3402-478: The Nathula Pass though 15 years later no such service has materialised. Sikkim's mountainous terrain limits the area's potential for rapid industrial development. The government is the largest employer in the city, both directly and as conttractors. Gangtok's economy does not have a large manufacturing base, but has a thriving Cottage industry in watch-making, country-made alcohol and handicrafts. Among
3483-554: The Provisional Population Totals 2011 census of India , the population of Gangtok Municipal Corporation has been estimated to be 98,658. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. The Gangtok subdivision of the East Sikkim district had a population of 281,293, Gangtok has an average literacy rate of 82.17%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 85.33%, and female literacy
3564-531: The TV telecommunications tower. It is about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the northeast of the main market place in Gangtok. Even though it is a small monastery situated on a strategic peak overlooking Gangtok, compared to other monasteries in Sikkim, it provides views of the Kanchendzonga peak. The monastery was first built in the 1840s by the eighth Chogyal and as a result, Gangtok as the small hamlet became
3645-437: The assassination of the cruel Tibetan king, Langdarma in 841 CE by a monk called Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje . The monk, dressed in a black robe and a black hat, danced outside the palace until he was allowed to perform in front of the emperor, then assassinated him. It is a dance symbolising the victory of good over evil. The Black Hat dance is a Vajrakilaya dance and is the dance most frequently depicted in paintings. The dance
3726-471: The beauty of the structure. Grouting of the cracks was suggested as a solution to strengthen the damaged portions of the walls. Detor Cham is the colourful and vibrant Cham dance festival that is held in the monastery during on the 18th and 19th day of the 12th Lunar month of the Tibetan calendar , corresponding to the dates during January/February of the Gregorian calendar . Other festivals observed in
3807-562: The city, at an altitude of 2,621 m (8,599 ft). Its water treatment plant is located at Selep. The river Rateychu is snow-fed and has perennial streams. Since there is no habitation in the catchment area except for a small army settlement, there is little environmental degradation and the water is of very good quality. 40 seasonal local springs are used by the Rural Management and Development Department of Sikkim Government to supply water to outlying rural areas. Around 40% of
3888-614: The city, established in 1935 on a prime piece of land donated by the then Maharaja of Sikkim, is one of the oldest and best-known Hindu temples in the city. The Ganesh Tok and the Hanuman Tok , dedicated to the Hindu gods Ganpati and Hanuman and housing important Hindu deities, are located in the upper reaches of the city. The Himalayan Zoological Park exhibits the fauna of the Himalayas in their natural habitats. The zoo features
3969-510: The construction of the hermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716. Gangtok remained a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage centre. It became the capital of what was left of Sikkim after its English conquest in the mid-19th century in response to a hostage crisis. After the defeat of the Tibetans by the British, Gangtok became a major stopover in
4050-403: The handicrafts are the handmade paper industry made from various vegetable fibres or cotton rags. The main market in Gangtok provides many of the state's rural residents a place to offer their produce during the harvest seasons. The majority of the private business community is made up of Marwaris and Biharis . As part of Sikkim, Gangtok enjoys the status of being an income-tax free region as per
4131-574: The life of Padmasambhava , the 9th century Nyingmapa teacher, and other saints. The great debate of the Council of Lhasa between the two principal debators or dialecticians, Moheyan and Kamalaśīla is narrated and depicted in a specific cham dance held annually at Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai . One iteration of this dance is performed on the eve of Losar , the Tibetan new year, to commemorate
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#17327806005594212-450: The major source of drinking water to the population downstream. The densely populated urban area of Gangtok does not have a combined drainage system to drain out the stormwater and wastewater from the buildings. The estimated solid waste generated in Gangtok city is approximately 45 tonnes . Only around 40% of this is collected by UDHD, while the remainder is indiscriminately thrown into Jhora , streets and valleys. The collected waste
4293-512: The masonry wall of the building suffered damage again. The report has observed that "The damage seen in and around Gangtok was clearly disproportionate to the size of the earthquake, which was a moderate 5.7 on the Richter scale. This very clearly establishes the high level of seismic vulnerability of the region. Such disproportionate damage is a direct consequence of poor design and construction practices in an inadequate professional environment that
4374-614: The monasteries during the Tibetan new year. A centre of Buddhist learning and culture, Gangtok's most notable Buddhist institutions are the Enchey monastery , the Do-drul Chorten stupa complex and the Rumtek Monastery . The Enchey monastery is the city's oldest monastery and is the seat of the Nyingma order . The two-hundred-year-old baroque monastery houses images of gods, goddesses, and other religious artefacts. In
4455-491: The monastery are elaborately carved. Built under the Nyingma order, it houses 90 monks. The windows of the monastery are very ornately carved and painted. The monastery has a large collection of masks which are used for the annual ritual dances. As its name implies, monastery has a peaceful atmosphere and also maintains a good library. A very serene atmosphere has been created with the colourful prayer flags fluttering around
4536-455: The monastery are the Buddha , Loki Sharia and Guru Padmasambhava. The walls of the monastery in the large prayer hall are fully covered with paintings and murals of four religious kings, the deities of the four cardinal directions as stated in the scriptures and the entire galaxy of Mahayan Buddhist deities. Manuscripts of scriptures are kept in an almirah. The four pillars supporting the roof of
4617-494: The monastery. Like all other Nyingmapa monasteries in Sikkim, this monastery is also under the jurisdiction of the Pemayangtse Monastery . The monastery was gutted in 1947. However, it was rebuilt in 1948 with the support of the devotees. In a reconnaissance report on Sikkim Earthquake of 14 February 2006, it was noted that the Enchey Monastery, apart from other buildings in Sikkim, also suffered severe damage in
4698-485: The month of January, the Chaam , or masked dance, is performed with great fanfare. The Do-drul Chorten is a stupa which was constructed in 1945 by Trulshik Rimpoché, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism . Inside this stupa are complete set of relics, holy books, and mantras . Surrounding the edifice are 108 Mani Lhakor , or prayer wheels . The complex also houses a religious school. The Rumtek Monastery on
4779-455: The most popular sports in Gangtok. The Paljor Stadium , which hosts football matches, is the sole sporting ground in the city. Thangka —a notable handicraft—is an elaborately hand-painted religious scroll in brilliant colours drawn on fabric hung in a monastery or a family altar and occasionally carried by monks in ceremonial processions. Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in
4860-479: The most significant religions in Gangtok. Gangtok also has a sizeable Christian population and a small Muslim minority. The North East Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Church and Anjuman Mosque in Gangtok are places of worship for the religious minorities. The town has not been communalised, having never witnessed any sort of inter-religious strife in its history. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim as well as Gangtok. English and Hindi being
4941-453: The neighbouring state of West Bengal . The highway also provides a link to the neighbouring hill station towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong , which are the nearest urban areas. Regular jeep, van and bus services link these towns to Gangtok. Gangtok is a linear city that has developed along the arterial roads, especially National Highway 31A. Most of the road length in Gangtok is of two lane undivided carriageway with footpath on one side of
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#17327806005595022-568: The new year ( Losar ) with " Devil Dance " in January–February. The Maghe sankranti , Ram Navami are some of the important Nepalese festivals. Chotrul Duchen , Buddha Jayanti , the birthday of the Dalai Lama , Loosong , Bhumchu , Saga Dawa , Lhabab Duechen and Drupka Teshi are some other festivals, some distinct to local culture and others shared with the rest of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. A popular food in Gangtok
5103-545: The offices of the district collector , an administrator appointed by the Union Government of India. Gangtok is also the seat of the Sikkim High Court , which is India's smallest High Court in terms of area and population of jurisdiction. Gangtok does not have its own police commissionerate like other major cities in India. Instead, it comes under the jurisdiction of the state police, which is headed by
5184-532: The official language of Sikkim and India respectively, are also widely spoken and understood in most of Sikkim, particularly in Gangtok. Other languages spoken in Gangtok include Bhutia ( Sikkimese ), Tibetan and Lepcha . Apart from the major religious festivals of Dashain , Tihar , Christmas , Holi etc., the diverse ethnic populace of the town celebrates several local festivals. The Lepchas and Bhutias celebrate new year in January, while Tibetans celebrate
5265-563: The other. The city is flanked east and west by two streams, Roro Chu and Ranikhola . These two rivers divide the natural drainage into two parts, eastern and western. Both streams meet the Ranipul and flow south as the Ranikhola before joining the Teesta at Singtam . Most roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them. Most of Sikkim , including Gangtok,
5346-541: The outskirts of the town is one of Buddhism's most sacred monasteries. The monastery is the seat of the Kagyu order, one of the major Tibetan sects, and houses some of the world's most sacred and rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and religious objects in its reliquary. Constructed in the 1960s, the building is modelled after a similar monastery in Lhasa , Tibet . Rumtek was the focus of international media attention in 2000 after
5427-479: The population has access to sewers. However, only the toilet waste is connected to the sewer while sullage is discharged into the drains. Without a proper sanitation system, the practice of disposing sewage through septic tanks and directly discharging into Jhora s and open drains is prevalent. The entire city drains into the two rivers, Ranikhola and Roro Chu , through numerous small streams and Jhoras. Ranikhola and Roro Chu rivers confluence with Teesta River ,
5508-428: The primary route of the wool, fur and spice trade with Tibet and spurred economic growth for Gangtok till the mid-20th century. In 1962, after the border was closed during the Sino-Indian War , Gangtok fell into recession. The pass was reopened in 2006 and trade through the pass has helped to boost the economy of Gangtok. Back in 2008 the Sikkim government stated that it was keen to open a Lhasa –Gangtok bus service via
5589-591: The purges. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the introduction of a new constitution permitting religious practices, the practice and performance of tsam dancing has grown enormously. Many of the costumes and masks used for tsam dances survived Soviet purges of monasteries and temples by being buried, hidden, or stored in museums such as the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Tibetans usually perform chams to large audiences during
5670-551: The region during British rule, constitute the majority of Gangtok's residents. Lepchas , native to the land, and Bhutias also constitute a sizeable portion of the populace. Additionally, a large number of Tibetans have immigrated to the town. Immigrant resident communities not native to the region include the Marwaris , Bhojpuris and Bengalis . Languages spoken in Gangtok City (2011) Hinduism and Buddhism are
5751-530: The religious significance of Enchey Monastery is deeply ingrained in every household in Gangtok. It is also believed that these powerful deities always fulfil the wishes of the devotees. The monastery is built on a stunning ridge of a hill above the Gangtok city to its northeast from where the Kanchendzonga range is visible. It is located on Gangtok – Nathula road, above the Siniolochu lodge and passes through an avenue of sylvan coniferous trees , bypassing
5832-470: The road and drain on the other. The steep gradient of the different road stretches coupled with a spiral road configuration constrain the smooth flow of vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic. The nearest railhead connected to the rest of India is New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station (station code - NJP) in Siliguri , 124 km (77 mi) from Gangtok via NH10. Another railway station near Gangtok
5913-507: The seventeenth Karmapa , one of the four holiest lamas, fled Lhasa and sought refuge in the monastery. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology , better known as the Tibetology Museum, houses a huge collection of masks, Buddhist scriptures, statues, and tapestries. It has over two hundred Buddhist icons, and is a centre of study of Buddhist philosophy. Gonjang Monastery, located near Tashi Viewpoint at an altitude of 6066 feet
5994-483: The state's 1948 Income tax law. As Sikkim is a frontier state, the Indian army maintains a large presence in the vicinity of Gangtok. This leads to a population of semi-permanent residents who bring money into the local economy. The Sikkim government started India's first online lottery Playwin to boost government income, but this was later closed by a ruling from the Sikkim High Court. Agriculture
6075-427: The steep slopes of the roads. The 1 km (0.6 mi) long cable car with three stops connects lower Gangtok suburbs with Sikkim Legislative assembly in central Gangtok and the upper suburbs. Gangtok is connected to the rest of India by an all-weather metalled highway, National Highway 10 (NH10), earlier known as National Highway 31A , which links Gangtok to Siliguri , located 114 km (71 mi) away in
6156-617: The tourism industry, with many residents owning and working in hotels and restaurants. Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Market are prominent business areas and tourist spots in Gangtok. Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities. An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007, generating revenue of about ₹ 500 million (equivalent to ₹ 1.5 billion or US$ 18 million in 2023). The Nathula Pass , located about 50 km (31 mi) from Gangtok, used to be
6237-582: The town with 4G services available within the city limits. There is a Doordarshan TV station in Gangtok. Cham dance The cham dance ( Tibetan : འཆམ་ , Wylie : ' cham ) is a lively masked and costumed dance associated with some sects of Tibetan Buddhism and Buddhist festivals. The dance is accompanied by music played by monks using traditional Tibetan musical instruments. The dances often offer moral instruction relating to karuṇā (compassion) for sentient beings and are held to bring merit to all who perceive them. Chams are considered
6318-500: The trade between Tibet and British India at the end of the 19th century. Most of the roads and the telegraph in the area were built during this time. In 1894, Thutob Namgyal , the Sikkimese monarch under British rule, shifted the capital from Tumlong to Gangtok, increasing the city's importance. A new grand palace along with other state buildings was built in the new capital. Following India's independence in 1947, Sikkim became
6399-667: The various departments of the Government of Sikkim , particularly the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). These departments provide municipal functions such as garbage disposal, water supply, tax collection, licence allotments, and civic infrastructure. An administrator appointed by the state government heads the UDHD. As the headquarters of East Sikkim district, Gangtok houses
6480-860: The vegetation gradually changes from alpine to temperate deciduous and subtropical . Flowers such as sunflower , marigold , poinsettia and others bloom, especially in November and December. Gangtok has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate ( Köppen : Cwb ). Because of its elevation and sheltered environment, Gangtok enjoys a mild, temperate climate all year round. Like most Himalayan towns, Gangtok has five seasons: summer, monsoons , autumn, winter and spring. Temperatures range from an average maximum of 22 °C (72 °F ) in summertime to an average minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) in winter. Summers (lasting from late April to May) are mild, with maximum temperatures rarely crossing 25 °C (77 °F ). The monsoon season from June to September
6561-468: The weather can be unstable and change abruptly from bright sunshine and clear skies to heavy rain within a couple of hours. During spring and autumn the weather is generally sunny and mild. Owing to its elevation, Gangtok is often enveloped in fog during the monsoon and winter months. Gangtok is the main base for Sikkim tourism. Summer and spring seasons are the most popular tourist seasons. Many of Gangtok's residents are employed directly and indirectly in
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