 The
Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa
was built by the Venerable Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the
Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa,
there are complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra
Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics ( Holy Books), complete
'Zung'( mantras) and other religious objects. Around this
Chorten, which is one of the most important stupas in Sikkim,
are 10 Mani-Lhakor( prayer wheels). These prayer wheels
are turned by the devout Buddhist while chanting "Hail
to the jewel in the Lotus", to invoke the Buddhisattva.
The Chorten is surrounded by Chorten Lakhang, where there
are two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).
Saramsa Garden,
about 14 kms from Gangtok is the Saramsa Garden, the home
of Sikkim's most exotic orchids and other rare tropical
and temperate plants. Established and maintained by the
Department of Forest, it is an excellent recreation and
picnic spot.
Water Garden
at Martam Khola is on the 31-A National Highway some 16
kms. south of Gangtok. It is an ideal spot for picnic with
a small swimming pool for children.
Tsomgo lake is only 40 kms.
from Gangtok town and is situated at an altitude of 12,210
ft. The drive from Gangtok takes about 2½ hours by
bus. The lake is bout 1 km. long and oval in shape, 50ft.
deep and is regarded extremely Holy. It is also a home of
Brahmini ducks besides stopover for various migratory ducks.
Yumthang,
at an elevation of 11,800 ft and 140 kms from gangtok is
a paradise for nature lovers with a fascinating blend of
flora and fauna and breathtaking scenic grandeur. The valley
is also the home of Singbha Rhododendron Sanctuary with
24 species of Rhododendrons. Yumthang 'Tsa-Chu' or the hot
spring of the left bank of Lachung Chu is immensely popular
for its curative properties and healing power.
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