Above and beyond the Hindu Sikkim Temples, the Lachung Gompa is a Buddhist temple positioned atop a hill is one of the most striking Buddhist Sikkim temples in Sikkim. The Pemayangtse Monastery, Pedong Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery located in and around the Gangtok city are other Buddhist famous Sikkim temples that magnetize lot of tourists from diverse parts of the world. Sikkim the second smallest state after Goa is less inhabited state in the Indian Territory with a populace of around 550,000 in an area of around 7,096 square kilometers. Located amidst the panoramic Himalayas, the state is hub of tourist activity with more than 28 mountains, 80 glaciers, and 227 high-altitude lakes including the famous Tsongmo Lake, Gurudongmar Lake and Kecheopalri Lake. There are also five Hot Springs and more than a hundred rivers and streams. The most imperative tourist destinations in Sikkim apart from the famous temples in Sikkim include the Research Institute of Tibetology, Phurben Chorten and the Ridge, Pinetum, Tashi View Point, Menmecho and Changu Lake, Kechopari Lake, Yumthang and Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs, Rabdantste Palace Ruins, Yuksom among many others. There are a lot of mountains in and around Sikkim and the ones that are more than 20000 feet altitude includes Siniolchu, Pandim, Kabru, Rathong, Kokthang, Talung, Kanglakhang, Simvo and Jonsang. Passing through the picturesque mountains are the equally picturesque Mountain passes that allows one to cross from one border to another. Two of the most prominent Mountain Passes are the Nathu La and Jelep La Pass at an altitude of more than 14500 feet altitude. Both these Mountain Passes lead to the Chumbi Valley in the Tibet. The Bhutan La Pass at an altitude of around 13000 feet altitude leads to Bhutan. The famous temples in Sikkim include: * Hanuman Tok * Ganesh Tok * Thakurbari Temple * Balwakhani Temple * Rumtek Monastery * Pemayangtse Monastery * Enchey Monastery * Phensang Monastery * Phodang Monastery * Tashiding Monastery |