JOIN USAs a part of tradition and religious heritage, many devoted Hindus aspire to visit the 4 key shrines in India, commonly known as the Char Dhams. Located in different corners of the nation, these temples include the Jagannath Temple at Puri, Odisha, Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, Dwarkadheesh Temple at Dwarka, Gujarat, and Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible for everyone to visit all 4 of them. But Sikkim has come up with a unique solution by recently building replicas of the Char Dhams at Solophok Hill in the southern part of the state. Receiving over 3,000 visitors daily, this complex called Siddheswara Dham, is also home to replicas of the temples of 12 jyotirlingas, and a shrine dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba, with a 42-metre-tall statue of Lord Shiva dominating the milieu.
Many influences
Sikkim shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. It was once a monarchy and part of the fabled Silk Route to China. Its merger with India in 1975 has offered the world a window to discover its hidden treasures. Historically, culturally and spiritually, Sikkim’s strongest links are with Tibet. However, a majority of current population are of Nepali origin. They are joined by smaller percentages of Tibetans, Lepcha, Bhutanese and Indians.
Ever since Buddhist master Padmasambhava chose Sikkim as one of the last utopias on earth in the 8th century, religion has played a vital role in the life of the Sikkimese. While the region’s 200-odd monasteries, temples and stupas are a testaments to this, prayer flags hovering in every corner and red-robed lamas or saffron-clad priests wandering in the streets are proof enough. This intense religious nature of living has motivated the government to implement innovative ideas to establish Sikkim as one of the best destinations in India for pilgrimage tourism. As a result, many impressive attractions have been created in the last 2 decades, Siddheswara Dham being one of them. Earlier, Sikkim came under spotlight when the 53-metre-tall dual statues of Padmasambhava, said to be biggest of its kind in the world, was unveiled in the southern countryside. And with the recent commencement of the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra from the Nathu-La Pass, pilgrimage tourism has flourished in Sikkim like never before.
Nature’s gifts
Apart from the religious sites, Sikkim is blessed with natural beauty. Snuggled in the lap of the Himalayas, natural splendours including snow-capped peaks, glaciers, lakes, springs, rivers, forests and flowering meadows are undoubtedly the land’s treasure trove. Khangchendzonga, the world’s 3rd tallest mountain, dominates the skyline. Interpreted as “5 treasures of snow” in the local dialect, the mountain is worshipped like a deity during festivals.
Every corner of Sikkim evokes an irresistible aura, inviting outsiders for an awesome discovery of the best of nature and sanctity. As the vista of an undulating hill, set alight with magnificent rhododendrons and magnolias motivate admiration, slight glimpse of a distant monastery or a temple wash away all the sins.
Rumtek, Pelling, Tashiding and Lachung are some of the sites that are must-visits in Sikkim, apart from its capital Gangtok. Perched on a ridge at a height of 2,165 metres, Gangtok is well-known for presenting splendid views of Khangchendzonga. Recently voted as one of the nation’s “Top 10 Clean Cities”, Gangtok provides a perfect base to ramble to other appealing parts of the state. Day trips to Rumtek, where the main attractions are the famous Buddhist monastery called Dharmachakra Centre, and Tsomgo Lake, are extremely popular.
Sikkim has been captivating travellers of all ages. Back in the late 19th century, American author Mark Twain was enticed by its natural setting, and not long ago American actor Richard Gere sourced immense peace and tranquillity from the Buddhist heritage of this mystic land. When leaving, Gere said, “I want to come back here again and again”.
Getting There
Sikkim is only accessible by road and helicopter. The nearest airport is Bagdogra in northern West Bengal from where Gangtok is 4 hours’ drive. Indigo airlines (book.goindigo.in) ply to Bagdogra daily from Bengaluru via Kolkata.
More Info
www.sikkimtourism.gov.in.