Sikkim

                     The Khoobsurti of Sikkim

by Devika Taneja

 

For me travelling is discovering peace it lets you slowdown from your everyday chaos. One such peaceful place to travel in India is Sikkim. Sikkim is one of the smallest state of our country but has achieved some of the biggest achievements. It is India’s first fully organic state. Last year I travelled to this beautiful state and it was really an amazing experience to explore a part of our country so rich in cultural heritage and serenity. Sikkim is ‘KhoobSurat’ this is how I define it ,it is filled with and lively people .The magnificent ancient landmarks, mouth-watering local cuisine adds on to its beauty.

Beautiful breath-taking scenic views of the mountains that are visible from almost  every corner of the state. It has rivers, streams, waterfalls, verdant valleys, blooming wildflowers, stunningly beautiful lakes, and clean mountain air.

This state has endless number of monasteries ,temples, spiritual places. These temples' serene ambience is enough for creating a state of calm and meditation. They have some absolutely stunning architecture. The monasteries serve as excellent examples of the intricate artwork and finely created sculptures representative of Buddhist craftsmanship, reflecting the region's customs and history.

The state is not only clean and green but also white, because of the snow capped mountains located at the Northern side of the state. Zero Point is one such spot of everlasting snow, located directly along the Indo-Chinese border. It's a sight worth seeing  literally where the road ends and is covered with sparkling snow. Sikkim has end number valleys each with a unique beauty of its own. One such area that is especially beautiful in winter is the snow covered Lachen valley..

Sikkim's vast and vivid culture is perfectly displayed in its spiritual flags, these are eye-catching ,colourful and vibrant. Each flag has a meaning, each colour is  related to a certain element. White represents the air and wind, red represents fire, green represents water, yellow represents the earth and blue represents the sky and space. Tradition believes that a five-element balance is what creates harmony and health.

Make sure your camera is ready to catch the stunning vistas in Sikkim while you're exploring.

Staying with locals to get an authentic understanding of their way of life and going on trips that are around town with them is an excellent way to get to know any state.

Sikkim is surely gorgeous under the sun but under the moon it holds ’noor’ and is even more magnificent. The evenings here are made more interesting by the streets.  If you go there, you have to experience what it's like to spend the night wandering the lit streets. The state's streets are adorned with colourful lights and decorations, creating a stunning beauty.

Sikkim is a location full of surprises with its flawless blending of modern conveniences and abundance of natural beauty. Visitors here are submerged in the vibrant atmosphere. Everything you put your hands on, from the adventurous activities to the peaceful ambiance, shopping paradises to mouth-watering food, will give you a deep sense of being in the location. In addition to all of this, Sikkim's nightlife might be considered the cherry on top. It is beautiful and the safest experience to tour Sikkim at night.