Sikkim Tourism - Things to do in Sikkim

Sikkim is one of the “Seven Sisters” in India. This term is used to describe the seven tiny states that together form India’s North-East. The small and truly untouched state of Sikkim has majestic landscapes and lush green hills. It is indeed blessed with nature’s bounty. Even after a considerable rise in tourism over the recent years, its sanctity and beauty have been preserved by its proud people and conscientious authorities. Sikkim is divided into four districts – North, South, East and West. We explore some of the highlights to help you with your Sikkim travels.

View from Hanuman Tok - Gangtok -Sikkim

North Sikkim: 

Here you will find the revered Guru-Dongmar Lake, which is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus. Its mystical powers are heightened by the fact that even in the harshest winters parts of the lake remain unfrozen. The lake is considerably inaccessible and requires a two-day expedition. A popular destination closer to the capital, Gangtok is Yumthang – the Valley of Flowers. In spring, Yumthang is bathed with scarlet rhododendrons and wildflowers, a sight to behold.

Buddhist Temple in Sikkim

East Sikkim: 

Gangtok, the capital of the state lies in this part of Sikkim. In Gangtok, one can enjoy the local cuisine and shop for handicrafts. Many beautiful tourist destinations like the Rumtek and Enchey monasteries, Jhakri Falls and Tashi Viewpoint are a short drive from the city. Perhaps the most enchanting attraction of the state is the Nathula Pass-Tsomgo Lake-Baba Mandir trinity. Although these destinations aren’t in this part of the State, taxis and tours to reach them are best hired in Gangtok itself. Nathu-La is located at over 14,200 meters and offers one of the most breathtaking sights in India. En route to Nathu-La stop at the still and crystal-clear Tsomgo/Chhangu Lake, where you can ride on a yak, shop for locally produced goods and catch a bite to eat. Tourists require special permits to visit Nathu-La. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday

Sikkim Assembly Building

South Sikkim: 

This is the sleepy and peaceful part of the serene state. The hub of this district is Ravangla, which is located at the height of 7,000 meters. The township, famous for the Temi Tea Garden and wildlife, comes alive during the Lhabsol festival in August-September. Before leaving the district make sure you visit Samdruptse. In the Bhutia language, Samdruptse means ‘Wish Fulfilling Hill’. Here stands the 135 feet high statue of Guru Padmasambhava, made of concrete and copper.

Monastery at Ravangla

Western Sikkim: 

While South Sikkim is a haven for peace lovers, Western Sikkim is for thrill seekers. Rafting and kayaking on River Teesta draws people from far and wide to this small region. For visitors who prefer to tame the mountains, rock climbing and mountain biking expeditions can be organised.

Teesta River in Sikkim

Unearth the Secrets of Ellora Caves - Temples of India

Located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, the magnificent Ellora Caves are 34 structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ellora Caves consists of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain temples and monasteries built between the 6th and 10th century.

They stand as a testament to the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. The Ellora Caves are the most visited ancient monument in the state and are a must-see for any tourists in the area. Enjoy the incredible photographs below with information on these historical monuments sprinkled throughout.

Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves from top

Far view Ellora Caves

Ariel View Ellora Caves

Circle of Lion statue

Statue inside Ellora Caves

Wide View Elora Caves

The Vishvakarma Caves or Buddhist Caves of Ellora

• The Buddhist caves (also called Vishvakarma caves) are the earliest of the Ellora Caves, dating from 500 to 750 AD. All except one are viharas (monasteries), which were used for study, meditation, communal rituals, eating and sleeping
• The caves become steadily larger and more elaborately decorated as they progress to the north, which scholars have explained by the growing need to compete with Hinduism for patronage
• The earliest Hindu caves at Ellora date from 600 AD, right in the middle of the Buddhist period

Buddha inside Buddhist Cave of Ellora

Buddhist Cave outside

Far view Buddhist Cave

Top view Buddhist Cave

The Hindu Caves of Ellora

• Created during a time of prosperity and revival of Hindusim, the Hindu caves represent an entirely different style of creative vision and skill than the Buddhist caves
• The Hindu temples were carved from top to bottom and required several generations of planning and coordination to take shape. There are 17 Hindu caves in all, which were carved between 600 and 870 AD. They occupy the center of the cave complex, grouped around either side of the famous Kailasa Temple
• In contrast to the serene and solemn Buddhas of the earlier caves, the walls of the Hindu caves are covered in lively bas-reliefs depicting events from the Hindu scriptures. All of the caves are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also some images of Vishnu and his various incarnations

Durga in Hindu Cave

Close view Hindu Cave

Elephant in hindu cave

Hindu Cave close

Hindu Cave statues

The Jain Caves of Ellora

• The Jain caves, dating from the late 800s and 900s, are 2 km north down an asphalt road (rickshaws are available). They reflect the distinctiveness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including a strict sense of asceticism combined with elaborate decoration
• They are not large compared to others, but contain exceptionally detailed artworks. Many of the Jain caves had rich paintings in the ceilings, fragments of which are still visible

Allies of Jain cave

Ariel View Jain cave

Close view Jain Cave

Elephant Statue Jain cave

Far view Jain cave

Jain cave

Siva Parvati inside Jain cave

Statue in Jain cave

Varranda Jain Cave

Kerala Backwater Tours

Kerala, a state in southern India, is well-renowned for its backwater system – a network of interconnected canals, lagoons, rivers, lakes and inlets that run inland from the coast and which is spread over an extensive 900 km. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both manmade and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. Traditionally, the backwaters are used by local people for transport, fishing, and agriculture. Annual snake boat races, held along the backwaters, also provide a great source of entertainment for the locals and tourists alike. The lagoons and lakes is a lasting source of livelihood for the indigenous people and a popular tourist attraction for the state.

Boat-Backwater-Kerala

The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. Fed by the rivers, the backwaters are almost free of salty seawater. In certain areas, such as the Vembanad Kayal, artificial barrage has been built to prevent salt water from the sea from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact.

Passing thru stream

Many unique species of aquatic life thrive in these water including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.

Beautiful View of Boats on River

Houseboats called kettuvallams are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala. More than 2000 kettuvallams ply the backwaters. The kettuvallams were traditionally used as grain barges, to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters. At some point in time the boats were used as living quarters by the royalty. 

Chalet on River

Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have become floating cottages having a sleeping area, toilets, a dining area and a sit out on the deck. Some ketuvallams are motorised but generally proceed at a slow speed for smooth travel.

Boat on Jalkumbi

Boat Riding Thru

Boat Rush

Boat Taking Rest

Chalet on a Boat

Cottage by the River

Looking around

Quite River

Things To Do in Wayanad, Kerala

If you’re visiting Wayanad, Kerala, then planning an itinerary is tough. There are so many things to do and see.

The Thamarassery Ghat

A hair-raising drive down the Kozhikode-Bangalore highway takes one towards Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad. As your car winds its way up the Thamarassery Ghat, crane your neck to have a peek at a tree bound by a large chain around its trunk.

Wayanad Hill View

Legend has it that a tribal person from Wayanad showed a British engineer, who was searching for a path to build a road running through Wayanad), the Thamarassery Ghat as an easy way to reach Mysore from Kozhikode. Eager to take credit for it, the engineer killed the helper and buried his body under a nearby tree. Soon after these roads were built, several people met with horrendous accidents at the Thamarassery Ghat – all attributed to a wanton spirit haunting that stretch of road. Before long, an exorcist was summoned and fettered the victim’s spirit onto that nearby tree. Today, one knows it as the famous Chain Tree.

The Tea Plantations of Vythiri

The British opened up Vythiri for the cultivation of tea in 1889. You can meander through the sprawling tea plantations that are ensconced atop the rolling hills of Vythiri. You’ll usually comes across a bunch of women nipping of ‘two leaves and a bud’ with their nimble hands and tossing them over their shoulders into baskets slung along their backs.

Edakkal Caves

The primordial Edakkal Caves are cradled in the Ambukuthi hills near Ambalavayal. The Edakkal Caves are basically two rock formations purportedly formed by a large split in a mammoth rock. Legend has it that they were caused by arrows fired by Luv and Kush, the sons of Rama, legendary hero of Ramayana. Like the world-renowned Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, the Edakkal Caves were stumbled upon by an Englishman (in 1890) while on shikar. Over the years, the Edakkal Caves have drawn the attention of archaeologists from around the world. The latter say that the engravings found inside the Edakkal Caves (Neolithic etchings such as these are to be found only at few places in Africa) shed light on the existence of a Stone Age civilization in Wayanad. The Edakkal Caves are sure to leave one spell-bound.

Soojipara WaterFalls near Edakkal caves

Meenmutty Falls 

A picturesque drive down the Chundale-Udagamandalam road takes one towards Neelimala. An easy 30 minute upward climb takes you atop Neelimala. No sooner are you atop, you begin to hear the roar of a cascading fall. The Meenmutty Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Kerala, has to be really seen from atop Neelimala to fathom its utter beauty.

Chembra Peak

At 2100 meters above sea level, it happens to be the loftiest peak in Wayanad. The Chembra Peak that seems to imperiously gaze upon the countryside can be seen from almost all parts of Wayanad. For those who have a head for heights the Chembra Peak makes for exhilarating trekking.

Muthanga Game Sanctuary

Lurking in the woods

Muthanga forms an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, one of the bio-diversity hotspots of the world. Safari is the thing to do here. You may come across herds of elephants, barking deer, sloth bear, nilgiri langur and the odd tiger lurking in the woods…

Kuruvadweep

About 15 kilometers from the town of Mananthavady lies this picturesque 950-acre group of uninhabited islets bound the River Kabini.

Banasura Sagar

About 25 kilometers from Kalpetta lies this breathtaking lake. One could go on a bout of speed boating at this lake that’s set against the backdrop of the Banasura Mountain.

Pakshipathalam

Located in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, this place is a birdwatchers delight.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary ,Kerala

And finally

There is a resort at the foot of the Edakkal Caves called Edakkal Hermitage. They have a cosy restaurant in a cavern (a natural cave which is part of the Edakkal Caves chain) where at night, dinner is served inside the cave, which is lit by hundreds of candles. It is the only natural cave restaurant in India.