Neora Valley National Park

Neora Valley National Park

One of the richest biodiversity Parks in North East India, Neora Valley National park is spread over an area of 88 sq kms of Kalimpong , Sub Division of Darjeeling district. Neora Valley national park derives it biodiversity from the variation of altitude it encompasses under its ambit. With its altitude varying from 600 feet to 10600 ft ( at Rechela Danda, Neora Valley National Park) displays temperate tropical vegetation to sub alpine vegetation. Established in 1986, Neora Valley National Park is the least exploited National Parks of India. Its rugged hilly train and still unexplored and unreachable dense Jungle makes it an exciting place for the nature lovers. In some parts of the park, the vegetation is so thick that the sunlight fails to penetrate and reach to the ground. Bounded by natural forests, dense bamboo groves, colorful canopy of rhododendron trees, lush green valley, meandering rivers and streams with snow capped mountains in the backdrop, it is just perfect for trekking enthusiasts.

Neora Valley National Park is rich in vegetation with various species of trees and plants growing here. Neora Valley National park is particularly rich in trees of rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns and sal. The National Park is famous for its variety of wild orchids, with its splendid colors and invigorating patterns, the orchids growing here are unique. The deep unexplored forest of Neora Valley National Park might be holding numerous exotic varieties of Orchids still unknown to man.

Known as home to Red Panda, Neora Valley national park is rich in its fauna. Apart from the highly endangered species of Red Panda found here, it is also home to endangered species of clouded leopard and Musk deer. Neora Valley national park is also home to  Indian Gaur, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard Common Leopard, Lesser Cats, Himalayan Thar, Serrow, Gural, Deer and Squirrels. The recent discovery of Royal Bengal Tiger from here had brought the National Park in high sensitive Zone at the same time increasing its diversity. According to 2002 tiger census, Neora Valley National Park has 19 big cats.

Neora National Park is paradise for the bird watchers too offering varieties of rare birds to be watched. You can find here spectacular variety of pheasants, cuckoos, minivets, flycatchers, maynas, orioles, owls, parakeets, Partridges, Sunbirds, Swallows, Swifts and Woodpeckers. Neora National Park is equally famous for the plethora of butterflies found here. Kaiser-e- Hind and Krishna Peacock are amongst the most attractive butterflies. A mammoth variety of insects including bugs, beetles, spiders and ants are also found here.King cobra, common cobra krait, green pit viper, blind snake and lizards are also found in Neora Valley National Park

           

Neora National Park can be entered from Lava, 30kms from Kalimpong and also from Samsing, 80kms from Siliguri. It offers numerous trekking routes for the trekking enthusiasts, the most popular being a six day trek through the forests comprising Samsing - Bhote Ghar - Thusum - Rechela - Alubari - Lava offering you an unforgettable thrilling experience

Gangtok -The heart of Sikkim

Gangtok,the present capital of Indian State of Sikkim, lies at an altitude of 5800 feet ( 1800mts) amongst some of the higher range of Himalayan.The earliest records date from the construction of the hermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716. Gangtok, Roughly meaning "Mountain Top" shot in prominence on the Map, especially for Buddhist, in 1840, when Enchey Monastery was built here. Its prominence further rose when in 1894, the ruling Sikkimese Chogyal, Thutob Namgya, shifted his capital to Gangtok from Tumlong.New Palaces and Government Buildings were built which added to the reputation and beauty of Gangtok. Later it developed as a major stopover for traders on the trade route from Lhasa in Tibet to Kolkata and other Indian cities. When India won independence in 1947, from British rule, Sikkim chose to remain as an Independent state under the king, but in 1975, fearing a takeover by China, who had already annexed Tibet, it merged with India to become its 22nd state with Gangtok its 22nd state capital.

Since then Sikkim in general and Gangtok in particular have grown to become a bustling tourist destination, particularly famous between he honeymooners and travelers from adjoining state of West Bengal and is the centre stage of tourism in Sikkim, India. Its moderate temperature (ranging from 4 degrees to 25 degrees) through out the year makes the weather good to travel. However beginning end of June and till September, heavy rainfall lashes the area causing many a landslides making the weather of Sikkim a bit harsh ,but it is also the time when the lush green vegetation and the playing of clouds with sun, creating a vibrant play of shadows and light, leaves one mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the place.The city lies towards one side of the hill, flanked by two streams in east and west, namely Roro Chu and Ranikhola. The two rivers divide natural drainage into two parts, the eastern and western parts. Both the streams then meet the Ranipul and flow south as the main Ranikhola before joining the River Teesta at Singtam.The city is surrounded by densely forested regions consisting of temperate, decidous forests of trees like poplar, birch , oak and elm apart from evergreen confierous tree of the wst alpine zone. Orchids are common apart from other flowers like sunflower, marigold and poinsetta, which bloom around the city. Some of the rarest form of Orchids are found here.

Gangtok has a population of around 01 lakh people comprising of ethnic groups such as Indian Nepalis, Lepchas which are native to the land, Bhutias and Tibetans. It also have a sizable immigrant population of Marwaris ( who owns most of the shops), Biharis (engaged mostly in blue collar jobs) and Bengalis. Hinduism and Buddhism are the two most popular religions, but Gangtok too have a sizeable population of Christian and small minority of Muslims. English and Hindi are official language of Sikkim, apart from the above, Bhutla, Tibetan and Lepcha are also spoken widely.

Sikkim in itself is beautiful state blessed with beautiful valleys, mountain tops and lakes. Gangtok makes the perfect base for exploring Sikkim. Gangtok in itself have so much to offer to visit, that you require more than a couple of days to explore the same and it is one of the pivotal of Sikkim Tourism. Some of the places worth visiting Gangtok are mentioned below:

Gangtok - The City - MG Marg is country's first litter and spit free zone, with a ban on any kind of vehicular movement. It offers various shopping establishment to shop, various benches to sit alongside the road and Titanic Park - a beautiful park to picnic. A birds eye view of Gangtok city can be had through a ride on Bicable Zig Back ropeway from Deorali to Tashiling secretariat. Costing INR 30 and about 07 minutes, it gives a great view of Kanchendzonga Range and an overview of the Gangtok town below.

The Rumtek Monastery : The Rumtek monastery is a replica of the Tsurphu monastery of Kargyupa sect in Kham region of Tibet .It was founded in 1740 during the reign of the fourth Chogyal in the East District.After Chinese aggression and control over Tibet in 1960's, His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa, the 16th incarnate of the Gyalwa Karmapa of Tibet came to Rumtek with a number of follower monks to seek refuge. The then Chogyal gifted him a large piece of land at Rumtek village to build a monastery and also develop a centre for religious studies.Accordingly the four storeyed building was built, it later became the biggest monastery of Sikkim.

The monastery has a special prayer hall, very impressive murals and thanka paintings and 1001 miniature golden images of Lord Buddha. It has a religious centre by the name of Dharma Chakra Centre and a big residential-cum prayer hall, apart froman impressive library and special rooms for the high ranking incarnate Lamas.Behind the main monastery is an extremely impressive and elaborately decorated Karma Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, wherein students from all over the world are enrolled. There is also a small hall having a beautiful jewel studded Chorten known as the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.

Do Drul Chorten : The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa was built in 1945 by the Venerable Trullshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibeten Buddhism. Inside the stupa, there are complete mandala set of Dorjee phurba (Vajra Kilaya), a set of Kang Gyur relic (Holy Book), complete 'Zung' (mantras) and other religious objects. Around the Chorten, there are 108 Mani Lhakor (Prayer Wheels), which are turned by devout Buddhists while chanting 'Om Mane Padme Hum' (O Jewel in the Lotus) to invoke the Bodhisattva. It is surrounded by Chorten Lakhang and Guru Lakhang, where there are two huge statues of Guru Padmasambhava

Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology : Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology is one of the most prestigious research institute of its kind in the world, It is a treasure of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas (colourful tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy). Apart from an attractive museum, it has over 200 Buddhist icons and other prized objects of art. Established in 1958 to promote serious study and research on Buddhism, it is only next to an institute in Tibet in its collections.Today it is renowned world wide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion.

Enchey Monastery: Enchey monastery is the seat of the Nyingma Order and city's oldest monastery . The two-hundred year old baroque monastery houses images of gods, goddesses, and other religious artifacts. The Enchey monastery literally means the solitary temple. In the month of January, the Chaam, or masked dance, is performed with great fanfare and is an event to visit.

Tashi View Point : Only 8 kms from Gangtok, situated along the North Sikkim Highway, it is from this point one can get a breath taking view of Mt. Khangchendzonga, one of the most graceful peaks in the world. An Observatory Tower, Cafeteria and Public amenities are present for the comfort of the travellers. Ideal time to visit is early in the morning, when the views are most spectacular. One can also catch a glimpse of the Phodang and Labrang monasteries on the opposite hill. The park just above the View Point gives you opportunity for a little picnic.

Tashiding Monastery (Tashi Ling Monastery) :

Constructed on top of a heart shaped hill with the back drop of the sacred Mt. Khangchendzonga, Tashiding Monastery was built in the 18th Century AD by Ngadak Sempa Chempo, one of the three Lamas who had performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal.According to Buddhist scriptures, in 08th century AD, Guru Padmasambhava, blessed the sacred land of Sikkim in the 8th century AD from this spot. Tashiding is also famous for the most holy Chorten known as 'Thong-WaRang-Dol' literally meaning 'Saviours by mere sight'. It is believed that just by beholding the pot; it is supposed to wash away all the sins of the devotees. Another important feature is the sacred water festival (Bumchu) held every year, on 14th and 15th day of the first Lunar month, the Bhumchu Ceremony is organised with devotees coming from far and near to get the blessing of the holy water. The sacred holy water is officially sealed for safety by the lamas of the Monastery and taken out once a year on an auspicious occasion, only to be put back with some fresh additions. The Pot Have never got dried for the Past 300 years

Hanuman Tonk : Situated at an altitude of 7200 feet, 09 kms uphill of Gangtok on a calm and quiet hilltop, this temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is popularly known as a wish filling temple. It is currently maintained by the resident units of Indian Army with the contribution from Local People.

The Himalayan Zoological Park: The Himalayan Zoological Park exhibits the Himalayan Fauna in their natural habitats. The zoo features the Himalayan Black Bear, The Barking Deer, The snow Leopard, The Leopard Cat, Tibetan Wolf, Masked Palm Civet, Red Pandas and the Spotted deer amongst many others.

Orchid Sanctuary: The Orchid Sanctuary is famous for its rare and extensive collection of orchids. The sanctuary’s collection also varies depending on the seasons, still the wide spread orchid sanctuary has almost 454 species of orchid found in Sikkim.

Tsuk La Khang : Tsuk La Khang is a depository of a large collection of scriptures and is the principal place of worship and assembly for the local Buddhists. The Tsuk la Khang is a beautiful and impressive building with mural covered interior, lavishly decorated altars or images of Buddha, bodhisattvas and Tantric deities and fine works of woodcarving. The Tsuk la Khang remains open for the general public and tourists during Losar, the famous dance festival.

How To Reach Gangtok : Gangtok, Sikkim is well Connected to rest of India through air, road and rail. The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra, Gangtok to Bagdogra is about 3-4 hrs Drive from Gangtok. Bagdogra in turn is connected with direct flights To Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. The nearest Railway Station, some three hours drive from Gangtok., is New Jalpaiguri, which is further connected to Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.