Sikkim Sojourn......

Life is a continuous journey. Some journeys are too memorable to be erased by the sands of time. They reverberate through our minds again and again. The journey to Sikkim and Kalimpong during the last puja vacation was one such journey. My parents and I started off at six in the morning from the Guwahati Railway Station and we got off at the NJP Station. The drive from there to Sikkim, along the curved roads, amidst tea gardens is fascinating. We reached Gangtok at four p.m. The town is well-laid out with broad streets, whose cleanliness is scrupulously maintained by a zealous civic administration. Avenues and promenades, lined by trees, flowering bushes, and seasonal plants, contribute to the lush greenery of the beautiful capital.

That evening, we visited the M.G. Marg or the Mahatma Gandhi Marg. It is well-serviced by a network of footpaths that give the pedestrians ample freedom of movement. There are numerous shops here. The next day, we visited the Rumtek Dharma Chakra. Built as an exact replica of the original Kagya headquarters in Tibet, it houses rare religious scripts, objects and artifacts. Then we visited the Tashi Viewpoint. The Observatory Tower here provide a breathtaking view of the majestic and graceful Kangchenjunga. A recentlyconstructed cafeteria and other public amenities contribute to a comfortable visit.

The Do-drul Chorten is a holy stupa in Sikkim. The square base mandala houses holy books, relics and other religious artifacts. I encircled the stupa, spinning the 108 Mani Lhakor prayer wheels in an anti-clockwise direction. It is believed that our wishes are fulfilled by doing it. We also visited the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which is a world famous centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. We also enjoyed the Gangtok Ropeway – which offers passengers a panoramic view of the city.

The next day, we went to Kalimpong. The journey from Sikkim to Kalimpong was quite scary for us. The driver took us through a bad road which was very dangerous. But as we reached Kalimpong, its beauty charmed us and we forgot all about our dangerous journey. Blessed with a climate that remains delightfully temperate throughout the year, Kalimpong exudes a charm that sets it apart from other more well known hill stations. At 5,500 feet, Deolo Hill is the highest point in Kalimpong and it provides a panoramic view of the Himalayas. The entire hill is well landscaped, with sitting areas and viewpoints. People were even riding horses. Some were also enjoying paragliding flights. Even I had the desire to take a flight, just like a bird with my wings spread out, floating along with the force of the air. But, I thought it would be too risky.

Our last visit was to the Kalimpong Science Centre. This must be one of the most beautifully located centres for the popularisation of science in our country. The centre houses a number of scientific instruments, displays and activities, both indoors and outdoors, that mix education with fun. I had a great time at the Centre.

It was soon time to come back home. And we left Sikkim for Assam. But the days spent there were fantastic. And I will never forget them.