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Namchi, Sikkim |
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Information about Namchi |
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Namchi
is the prosperous market town. The district headquarters
of the South District are at Namchi literally translated
as the "Top of the Sky". Anyone visiting West Sikkim has
to traverse through the South District before entering
the West. The main attraction of Namchi are the two
gigantic statues. These two vast statues will be facing
off from opposite hillsides across Namchi. The Buddhist
one at Samdruptse is already finished, the Hindu one at
Solophok is still under construction.
Tourist Attracions in Namchi |
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The tourist attractions in
Namchi are Samdruptse, Solophok.
Samdruptse
Painted in shimmering copper and bronze tones, the
impressively vast 45 m Padmasambhava statue stops just short
of Kitsch. Completed in 2004 on a foundation stone laid by the
Dalai Lama, it is visible from miles around, shining like a
golden cone amid the forests of Samdruptse hill. The site is 7
km from Namchi, 2 kms. off the Damthang road. Alternatively
you could walk back to Namchi, short-cutting via steps down to
and through a rock garden or follow the nose of the Samdruptse
hill down to Ngadak Gompa. Ngadak’s ruined old dzong, dating
back to 1717, is delightfully ‘real’ despite the unsightly
steel buttressing that stops it from falling down. Its
unpainted stone exterior incorporates ancient carved door
pillars and upstairs fragments of painting remain on the
peeling old cloth wallpaper. |
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Solophok
As if one gigantic statue were not enough, work is
proceeding at a fast rate to raise a new 33 m (108 feet)
Shiva statue on Solophok hilltop. Due for completion in
mid 2008, the site is expected to become a major
pilgrimage point. A surrounding complex of temples and
visitor pavilions is already partly built. Solophok is 6
kms from central Namchi. The access road passes the
hospital and stadium, winds around the base of the
interesting Dechen Gompa, then continues up past
Dungmali Guesthouse.
Excursions from Namchi |
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Jorethang
Jorethang is the useful transport hub between West Sikkim and
could make a launching point for visits to interesting but
lesser known Sikkimese villages like Rinchenpong (country
getaways) or Reishi (hot springs and holy cave). At its
westernmost edge, Jorethang’s most striking feature is the
Akar Suspension Bridge, 400m north of which are the passingly
photogenic roadside Shiva niches of Sisne Mandir. |
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Car Rental |
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