LAKES- The major crowd pullers!

The real goodness Sikkim posses not only confides in mountains, monasteries or its villages but in lakes as well. Sikkim is a must visit destination if you want to visit the mesmerizing and exquisite lakes that are considered sacrosanct. With the state offering abundance of places to visit, a pitstop at some of the beautiful lakes in Sikkim will certainly overwhelm you. Mainly the lakes are located in such serene environment that makes a visit to these attractions captivating and thrilling. These are some of the major crowd pullers that draw travellers from across the world to bask amidst tranquil lakes and surrounding mountains. Besides, lakes offer a relaxing and calming environ that makes the tourism in Sikkim vibrant and impressive.

1. Tsomgo Lake

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Locally known as the Changu Lake, it is one of the most alluring lakes in Sikkim that you cannot miss to explore. Nestled amidst lofty peaks and majestic glaciers, this oval shaped lake spreads around 1 km and 15m deep in the valley. Literally translating as the source of the Lakes this is actually the source of many small streams in the entire region. This is a paradise for bird watchers, as this Sikkim lake attracts a diverse range of birds, the Brahminy Duck is one of the native species which is found only in this lake.

2. Menmecho Lake

Located just 20km ahead from the Tsomgo Lake, is the charming beauty of Menmecho Lake. It is located just below the Jelep La Pass and is also known as the source of Rangpochu River which flows through the state. A perfect Sikkimese destination for Trout-Fishing, it attracts a hundred of travelers to satiate their love for fishing or exciting adventures. During winter is remains blankets with layers of snow, but spring makes it a colorful affair with lush greenery and varieties of flowers blooming. It is indeed one of the beautiful lakes in Sikkim.

3. Kathok Lake

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Most of the Lakes are considered holy and significant in the Sikkimese culture, and among all the sacred lakes of Sikkim, the Kathok Lake is considered to be the most mesmerizing and serene lakes in the state. As holy as it is considered by the locals, it is said that any wish made beside the lake with a pure heart never goes unheard by the Gods, and therefore lots of pilgrims visit this holy lake to seek blessings of Deities. Every year, there is a grand celebration arranged beside this holy lake in order to thank the Gods for good health and prosperity in the lives of locals.

4. Khecheopalri Lake

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The most appealing lake of Sikkim is no other than the Khecheopalri lake, located at a towering height of 38,710ft which makes it the highest lake in Sikkim. With its immense beauty is is also considered as one of the holiest lakes in the state. Worshipped by both Buddhists and Hindus, it attracts many visitors and pilgrims from all around the world. There is a legend which is said about this lake, that the birds around this lake protect this magical lake from any intruder. Visit this majestic lake and enjoy the sights around it.

5. Samiti Lake

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The tiniest lake of Sikkim, Samiti Lake is nestled between two different mountains. Being the tiniest lake it looks more charming and appealing with its immense beauty, travelers visit this serene lake while trekking to the Dzongri or Goecha La, it is a perfect spot to relax and rejuvenate for a while during a thrilling activity. Be ready to get swayed by its lovely charms and appeal.

6. Green Lake

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Sikkim lakes have a completely unique charm which just mesmerize the visitors and travellers. But there are some lakes which are more famous for their mysterious existence, and tops on every travellers bucket list. Green Lake is one of them, it is the most mysterious lake in the state, according to the local natives, the lake once disappeared and is now just a lake basin. You will find many adventure seekers exploring this alluring lake, and the route to this lake is one of the most popular trekking routes in Sikkim and you can even enjoy a reflection of the Khangchendzonga peak on the lakes surface.

7. Gurudongmar Lake

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If you believe in Nature magic then you really need to visit the Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim. Located at the towering height of 17,100ft, this lake is the best example of tranquility one attains on a magical place. Nestled amidst snow-covered mountains, it is highly sacred for both the Hindus and the Buddhist. According to the local beliefs, it is said that one of the parts of this lake was blessed by Guru Rimpoche, so you will always find that particular spot never freezing no matter how hard the winter is. Another belief which is believed here is that worshipping this lakes grants the wishes of the couples who cannot have children!

Creator- Salvi Jain

This is my attempt into sketching of  Khecheopalri Lake!

Please overlook my mistakes. Hoping for some positive comments.

Already falling in love with these mesmerizing lakes in Sikkim? These lakes are the true example of nature’s magic. There is so much to do near these gorgeous lakes, be it trekking or just relaxing your stress away, you will find all kinds of happiness in these mystical beauties. So, do not wait anymore and plan your Sikkim trip and be ready to get swayed by their charm!

So let's call it a day here! Stay updated!

Salvi Jain

Sacred places to rejuvenate your mind amidst the tranquility of the Himalayan Mountains!

The jaw-dropping beauty of the white snow-clad mountain tops, large lakes and water springs, vivacious valleys of flower and apple orchards of the North Sikkim, and the lush greenery draped hilly landscape of the south Sikkim has always been attracting tourists from all over the world. Sikkim is the most favorite place to recharge and rejuvenate your mind and body amidst the tranquility and beauty of the Himalayan Mountains.

Along with the rich biodiversity to explore in the Himalayan state of India, the Sikkim is also the home to famous pilgrim destinations for the Buddhism and Hinduism followers. The myriads of Monasteries and Temples located in every corner of the state make this beautiful Himalayan region a favorite religious destination as well. The beautiful amalgamation of Buddhism and Hinduism philosophy attracts people of both faiths to this region and thousands of religious tourists visit this place every year.

Creator- Salvi Jain

The above pie chart has been made by me and it represents the religious diversity of Sikkim.

So here, I will be telling you about the 6 most famous religious places in Sikkim which hold prominence in the Buddhism and Hinduism religion.

*Ganesh Tok

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The famous Ganesh Tok or Temple is located on a hill in the Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. The capital of Sikkim is not only famous for its amazing natural beauty, but also for various prominent pilgrimage destinations. Even though the temple is built in the small area, this is one of the key temples in Gangtok. The path to the temple is decorated with the multicolored flags which are the trademark of this temple. The entrance of the temple is narrow so only one person can enter and get the Darshan of Lord Ganesha at one time. Situated on the hill, the temple offers an amazing overlooking view of the Gangtok city as well as the view of the Khangchendzonga Mountain. The temple dedicated to the Lord Ganesha is the most visited temple in the Gangtok to offer prayers and get the Darshan.

*Hanuman Tok

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Hanuman Tok or Hanuman Temple is also one of the prominent temples located in the capital city of Sikkim. The tranquility and serenity around the temple are so mesmerizing that it will attract you to spend some time here. There is one more Hanuman Temple in the city which is built by the Indian Army. The scenic beauty surrounding the Hanuman Tok Temple is mesmerizing for the visitors. Hinduism followers, as well as the other tourists who visit Gangtok, have to visit this place to view the enchanting natural beauty and feel the serenity surrounds the temple. One can also get the overlooking view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range which adds the surrounding beauty. The legend of this temple says that Lord Hanuman rested here for a while during his return trip to Lanka from the Himalayas carrying the Sanjeevani herbs to cure Lord Lakshman. The temple is famously known as the wish-fulfilling temple.

*Solophok Chardham

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Recently developed pilgrimage destination in Sikkim, the Solophok Chardham is developed by the state government of Sikkim to promote the religious tourism in the state. This religious place is located in the South Sikkim on the top of the Solophok hill in the enchanting scenic surroundings. The Lord Shiva idol of the height of 87 feet situated in the meditating position at the top of the main temple offers you the grand view of the mighty Lord of Death.The temple complex has the outstanding replicas of all the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva along with the 16.5 feet tall idol of Lord Kirateshwar, also one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva. The amazing view of the temple complex not only attracts the religious followers, but also the tourists from various parts of India. The beautiful scenic region has also been developed as the tourism and cultural spot along with the religious destination to attract tourists from the different walk of life. The facilities like VIP guest houses, dormitories, eating points, cafeteria and parking places are available at the spot.

*Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir

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Situated in the Legship in west Sikkim, the Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir is an old temple dedicated to the Lord Kirateshwar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva in the form of the hunter. This is a prominent pilgrimage destination for the devotees of Lord Shiva in the Hindu Religion. As per the legend which is related to Mahabharata, Lord Shiva took the disguise of a hunter to test the archery of Arjuna, the third Pandava and then blessed him. Since then, the Kirateshwar is worshiped as the hunter god. The temple is located on the bank of the River Rangit and a suspension bridge connects the main road to the temple. The grand Shivratri festival in the month of February or March and the Bala Chaturdashi festival in the month of November or December is organized here every year by the local people which are the main attraction of this temple. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, there is also the separate platform to worship Lord Rama and Goddess Durga in this temple.

*Rumtek Monastery

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The Rumtek Monastery is the prime Buddhist pilgrimage destination for the followers of the Tibetan Buddhism. Known for exhibiting many valuable historical artifacts such as ancient metal statues, cenotaphs adorned with gems, etc. The monastery was first built by the 12th Karmapa Lama Changchub Dorje in 1730 which was destroyed in a fire mishap. Again, the ruin of the Rumtek Monastery was rebuilt and inaugurated by the 16th Karmapa  Rangjung Rigpe Dorje in 1966 and made the official seat of glorious Karmapa.

Thank you for looking into the efforts. Stay tuned for more! 

Salvi Jain

SIKKIM- GAMUT OF WILDLIFE

If you also prefer mountains over beaches and want to explore North-East India ,then don't miss the chance to atleast know about the 'Traveler's Paradise' state Sikkim. And I am here to intensify your urge to visit this beautiful land. To prove my statement I have a video for you all, enjoy!

The northeastern state Sikkim is not only known for its mesmerizing hilly beauty but also the richness of the varied wildlife. The wildlife of this state is manifold as compared to other wildlife sanctuaries in India due to the diverse altitude of the region. The different altitude of the landscape of Sikkim provides a variety of Flora and Fauna. The various species of wild animals enriching the wildlife of Sikkim are the Himalayan bear, leopard, snow leopard, musk deer, red panda, wild ass, and so forth. Thus, the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Sikkim should be added to everyone’s itinerary whoever is coming to explore this beautiful state. And here I am with the list. Check them out!

✱Khangchendzonga National Park, Yuksom

Khangchendzonga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This high altitude national park in Yuksom is known for its spectacular wildlife where exotic animal species such as Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Great Tibetan Sheep, Bharal, Musk deer etc can be spotted. The park also has a number of bird species like the Black-necked Crane, Grus nigricollis, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Tibetan Snow Cock, and Himalayan Snow Cock. Khangchendzonga National Park has about 18 glaciers, including Zemu Glacier, which is quite famous for its massive size. Besides this, the national park also has over 17 alpine lakes along with a view of about 19 Himalayan mountains peaks, amongst which is the popular Mount Khangchendzonga. There is also a sacred shrine named Tholung Monastery in the buffer zone of the national park.

 Best time to visit- Between April and May.

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✱Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Lachen

Surrounded by striking mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary holds its own reputation for housing an impressive collection of rhododendron species. This popular attraction in Sikkim comes to life during the spring season with flowers that sprawl far. You can discover more than forty species of rhododendron trees here in fact, and can also witness some bird species soaring high up in the air such as wood snipe and hoary-throated barwing. This sanctuary is rich in natural vegetation and thus it is covered in various other species of plants and trees such as potentillas, primulas, saxifrages, poppies, aconites, gentians etc. This nature park is also famous a trekking destination in Sikkim.

 Best time to visit- From April to July to see the blooming Rhododendron flowers.

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✱Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namchi

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary possesses wide variety of rare species, here you can see unique birds and mammals. This sanctuary also houses many medicinal herbs and plants. In addition, within the premises there are two added attractions you can visit such as Maenam Gompa and a Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Adventure lovers can also venture on trekking expedition routing to some amazing trails around the wildlife sanctuary.

Best time to visit- Between March and June. You will get an opportunity to see many rare birds and mammals during this spring-summer season.✱Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, SikkimContiguous to the neighbouring ridges of Tsomgo Lake and Rong Chu, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is abode of a large variety of flora, which evidently make the reserve look spectacular. Kyongnosla is perfect for a nature lover, and those constantly in search of places that can rejuvenate and offer mental peace. This sanctuary is ideal for spotting a variety of flora including rhododendron, orchids, and silver fir. Apart from it, the sanctuary is perfect for a photography tour as well.Best time to visit-The months of May, June, October and November are the best time to visit Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary. The weather remains pleasantly warm and dry during these months.

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Thank you for your time. Stay tuned for more!

Salvi Jain

Sikkim- exploring the paradise unexplored!

Glittering glacial lakes, endless pastures, waterfalls at every turn, quiet monastery towns, and scenic drives are some of the eye-catching features of Sikkim. If you are wondering what climatic conditions do Sikkim exhibits, let's scroll down and read.

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Sikkim exhibits a variety of climatic types, from almost tropical conditions in the south to severe mountain climates in the north .In Gangtok, temperatures in January drop into the low 30s F (about 0°C),chilling right? In August (the warmest month), temperatures may reach the low 80sF (about 28 °C).Depending on elevation and exposure, annual precipitation varies from 50 to 200 inches, most occurring during the months of the southwest monsoon (May through October).The heavy rains and snows often trigger destructive landslides.

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As suggested by Sikkim Tourism, the best time to visit Sikkim is either between March and May or October and mid-December. If you want to witness the blooming natural beauty in Gangtok, the capital city, best season to visit would be in spring, from March to May. Autumn, on the other hand, brings the clear view of Himalayan Range. If you want to capture the picturesque view of Himalayan Range, then October to December is the best season to visit Sikkim. During this time you can be part of various festivals like the Maniram Bhanjyang Tourism Festival where you can enjoy local homestays among many other things. You can also be a part of the Cherry Tea Festival as well as Red Panda Winter Festival. These festivals showcase a different side of Sikkim.

Creator- Salvi Jain

Here's a glimpse of my try at painting of Gurudongmar Lake! Hope you'll like it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Let's call it a day and stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Salvi Jain