SIKKIM – TALK ABOUT TOKS – THE TWO ‘TOKS’ OF GANGTOK
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim in the northeastern part of India, is topped by tow hills known as Ganeshtok and Hanumantok. As the names suggest, the prominent landmarks of these tow hill tops are the temples dedicated to the elephant-headed God, Ganesh, and the monkey God, Hanuman, respectively.
GANESHTOK
Ganeshtok is located on a above the TV TOWER, which can be seen high above town, and is beside the Indiara Gandhi bypass road. Situated at an altitude of 6,5000 ft, it is about 4 km from the town center. One can reach the hilltop by taking a taxi or hiking via the Palace ridge road, Sincochu tourist lodge. Enchey monastery and the TV tower. A small temple, so small that the inside can only accommodate the priest and the idol of Ganesh, is what you will see at the top of the hill. From the hilltop one can take in a panoramic view of Gangtok town. The view of the ridge road, the Palace and the Tsuklakhang. Enchey monastery and of Gangtok’s main market is unique. On a clear day, one can even see the entire Kanchenjunga and Sinolchu mountain ranges and their snow peaks. Ganeshtok is also the entry point to the Himalayan Zoological Park. Patronized by tourists as well as by the local people, Ganeshtok, of course, can be a better tourist spot with more improvement and public amenities.
HANUMANTOK
Hanumantok is at a much higher altitude and farther away from the town center than Ganeshtok. This place was originally known a Looksiyama and is the cremation ground for the royal family of Sikkim. Chorten and stupas mark the places where the mortal remains of departed souls were cremated. As time went by , a small temple dedicated to Hanuman was built most probably by th Indian army unit stationed there and hence the change of name.
At present, a new and bigger temple of Hanuman stands at the hilltop, which is at an altitude of 7,200 ft. The complex is maintained by a unit of the Indian army stationed nearby. A good motorable road, bifurcating from the road to Tsomgo Lake and the Nathula pass, goes all the way to the top, which is at a distance of 7 km from town. Located in the midst of a pine forest, away from the humdrum of city life, Hanumantok is a calm and serene retreat. The breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga and Sinolchu mountains makes the place even more magical. There is scope for making the place more beautiful from tourism, nature and wildlife viewing points of view.
GANESHTOK
Ganeshtok is located on a above the TV TOWER, which can be seen high above town, and is beside the Indiara Gandhi bypass road. Situated at an altitude of 6,5000 ft, it is about 4 km from the town center. One can reach the hilltop by taking a taxi or hiking via the Palace ridge road, Sincochu tourist lodge. Enchey monastery and the TV tower. A small temple, so small that the inside can only accommodate the priest and the idol of Ganesh, is what you will see at the top of the hill. From the hilltop one can take in a panoramic view of Gangtok town. The view of the ridge road, the Palace and the Tsuklakhang. Enchey monastery and of Gangtok’s main market is unique. On a clear day, one can even see the entire Kanchenjunga and Sinolchu mountain ranges and their snow peaks. Ganeshtok is also the entry point to the Himalayan Zoological Park. Patronized by tourists as well as by the local people, Ganeshtok, of course, can be a better tourist spot with more improvement and public amenities.
HANUMANTOK
Hanumantok is at a much higher altitude and farther away from the town center than Ganeshtok. This place was originally known a Looksiyama and is the cremation ground for the royal family of Sikkim. Chorten and stupas mark the places where the mortal remains of departed souls were cremated. As time went by , a small temple dedicated to Hanuman was built most probably by th Indian army unit stationed there and hence the change of name.
At present, a new and bigger temple of Hanuman stands at the hilltop, which is at an altitude of 7,200 ft. The complex is maintained by a unit of the Indian army stationed nearby. A good motorable road, bifurcating from the road to Tsomgo Lake and the Nathula pass, goes all the way to the top, which is at a distance of 7 km from town. Located in the midst of a pine forest, away from the humdrum of city life, Hanumantok is a calm and serene retreat. The breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga and Sinolchu mountains makes the place even more magical. There is scope for making the place more beautiful from tourism, nature and wildlife viewing points of view.
posted by Upadhyay @ 8:11 AM
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