East Sikkim
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East Sikkim is one of four districts of Sikkim and the area is busy and more populous than any other districts of Sikkim, the capital Gangtok is also situated here. East Sikkim is dominated by Nepali and Indian community. Despite being the populated area, east Sikkim comprised of many monasteries, lakes and hidden picturesque treasures.
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Gangtok
Gangtok is the Capital of Sikkim. Since it's the capital town, it is the most busiest place of all four districts. However, Gangtok itself is a unique travel destination, a home away from home, with many important places, diverse monasteries, temples and many artifacts. You can want to know more about Gangtok, Click Here.
Rumtek
Rumtek monastery is the seat of the Gyolwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyuap order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in 1960. The Kagyuap order was founded in the 11th century by Lama Marpa, the disciples of Indian Guru Naropa. It is one of the huge and wealthy monasteries in Sikkim . It is said that the 1st Karmapa spent many years meditating in a cave and ten thousand fairies came to congratulate him and each offered a strand of her hair. These strands of hair were woven into a black hat which was passed down and is still worn by the karmapas on cerimonial occasions. Behind the main monastery is the Karma Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies and the building opposite to it is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten, which contains the ashes and the bones of the 16th Gyolwa Karmapa. Half a kilometer uphill from the monastery there is a hermitage in which monks go into complete seclusion and can meditate for a period upto 3 years. It is 24 kms away from Gangtok. The religious dance called called the Tse-chu is performed on the 10th day of the 5th month of Tibetan Calendar (May) and depicts events in Guru Rimpoche's life. A chamm or masked dance, representing the battle between good and evil, takes place 2 days before the Tibetan New Year (around late February or early March).
Changu (Tsomgo)
Tsomgo Lake is one of the most popular destination for tourists, it is located at 35 km from Gangtok. The Lake is situated at an altitude of 12,310 ft, has an average depth of 50 ft, and remains frozen during the winter months up to mid-May.
Aritar
Aritar is located in East Sikkim, Under Rongli sub division. Aritar is 3 to 4 hours drive from Gangtok and 2 hours drive from Rongpo. Aritar Lake (a.k.a Lampokhari) is a newly developed tourist destination, where, for the first time in Sikkim, the boating facilities have been introduced. There are newly constructed viewpoints, cafeteria, lodges etc for the tourists. Tourists can also choose to trek from Aritar to Rachela, which is about 6 hours route, from where in season tourists can see rhododendrons bloom everywhere. There are many other places of Interests other than just Aritar Lake, such as old British built banglow, Aritar Gumpa, Mankhim, Nirmal Dham etc.