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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.
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