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Government cottage Industries Institute
The multi craft institute originally named after
the last Chogyal Palden Thondup, is an academy of craftsmanship.
The locally made handicraft products are sold at the institute.
Foremost among the institute's products are the beautiful hand woven woolen
carpets with traditional Sikkimese motifs and unique designs and combinations
of rich colours. These attractively designed carpets are in great
demand in Sikkim and abroad. The handsome woolen texture are durable,
plush and are dyed not with synthetic dyes but traditional vegetable Sikkimese
dyes. The designs vary from sophisticated harmonising tones to the brilliant
rioting of vermilions against intense blues.
Another exclusive product of the institute is the Sikkimese
table locally called as Choktse. These foldable Choktse are prepared in
varying designs and dimensions. The Sikkimese hand made paper is another
product of the institute demanded inside and out side the state.
The traditional Sikkimese weaves and woolen blankets which can be
designed into bags, shawls, jackets, opulent Sikkimese thankas (traditional
tapestry ), leather works, dolls, variegated applique work, batiks, an
exquisite selection of dolls and a variety of fashionable
garments for modern people are the other displayed specialties of
the institute.
Gate ways
The Gate ways for Gangtok city have been designed
in a very attractive and artistic manner. There is a strange enchantment
and charm about these gates. The gate that spans the entrance to
Tashiling the secretariat has a beauty of its own. The Sikkimese
art and the minute skill depicted by the Sikkimese artists is visible
on these structures.
Deer park
On the southern fringes of Tashiling, overhauling
a valley that drops a sheer thousand metres below, is located the Gangtok's
Deer Park. There is an image of Lord Buddha enshrined in the Deer
Park in his preaching posture.
The park is a sanctuary for deer, brought from Sikkim
and other neighbouring lands and symbolises the quest for peace and harmony
between neighbours. To walk around, to the soothing ripples of the Rongnek
stream added with the charming site of spotted deer and long horned antelopes
would really prove to be a prized walk.
Orchid Sanctuary
Orchid Sanctuary is situated below the Namgyal
Institute of Tibetology. A large variety of orchids ranging from the commonest
variety to rarest ones are found in the sanctuary. Sikkim is renowned
for rich and numerous varieties of orchids.
Khabelongstok
At a distance of about 21 km from Gangtok
is located a historic Kabi or Khabelongstok the venue where blood
brother hood was sworn between Khye-Bumsa, the renowned ancestor of Namgyals,
the former ruling house of Sikkim and Thekong Tek the then and last
Lepcha chieftain amid sacrifices and the looming form of the revered and
sacred Kanchanjunga. A memorial stone adorns the place as a testimony
to the historic and sacred agreement. Prayer flags stand guard on
the hill above and people from all corners of the state come with
offerings of flowers to pray at the sacred spot. |
