Update:- 18/Aug/2022
Hanuman Tok Temple
Hanuman Tok is located 11 km away from Gangtok. The place is having great architect and valuable ambience. Hanuman Tok is situated at an altitude of 7200 ft. The beauty of the temple is artistic and it is one of the top tourist attractions in Gangtok. The view from the temple is of glittering snow peak is amazing. It is also saying that if you will reach Hanuman Tok temple at 5 am then you will discover the beauty of sunrise. The close to the nature view and there is no boundary of beauty and glory that this temple has. The surroundings of the temple will leave you wordless. In the temple you can do meditation and make yourself relax to find peace from the hustle bustle.
Architect
You can enjoy the surrounding of the Hanuman Tok with the 360 degree view. The valley and hills can be easily viewed by you and this temple is having round shape structure. There is a long hall at the center of the temple and there are many pictures that showcase the lives of God Hanuman. This temple is tradition based so the furniture is antiquely designed that explore ancient beauty. The wooden ceiling and tiles beauty is also mesmerizing and they are so neat and clean so that you can sit there for a meditation and relaxation.
Best Time to Visit
This place is a must visit and if you will come to this mesmerizing beauty between January to march when you can fully enjoy the better climate conditions and pleasant atmosphere.
Points to follow
1. You have to walk barefoot all through the temple so easy to wear footwear will be eligible choice for you.
2. Washroom is also available at this property.
Don’t even wear the socks as most of the area of the temple is wet.
How to reach Hanuman Tok
Hanuman tok is one of the Popular tourist destinations of North Sikkim Gangtok. This temple is located on the Gangtok-Nathula Highway which is 11 km away from Gangtok. Best way to reach to Hanuman tok via Taxi or cab. Once you reach, you need to climb stairs and there is a sitting arrangement of benches for relaxation.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is constructed in the Tibetan architectural pattern which is unique in world. This architectural beauty is centuries old and of Buddhist culture. This historical museum is constituted with many attractive corners with a delicate punch of collections. It will make a tourist feel like being in heaven and photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum. The research of Tibetan and Buddhist culture will imbibe in the study. The foundation of culture, religion, architecture, literature, philosophy and Tibetan history prevail in this culture.
Things to see at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Museum
The museum is situated in the ground floor of the Namgyal Institute. The collections of Tibetan and Buddhist artifacts and the antic traditional art pieces, thankas, and other items like manuscripts written in Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan language, all are showcased in museum for all the tourists. The collection of casket and the sandalwood images of five great ancient personalities are must see. There is other major attraction in the museum that gives strong pursuit of authentic Sikkimese artistry. You cannot spare yourself from the fineness of the silver image of Majushri.
Library
The library of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is having 60000 volumes and the inclusion of the Buddhist teachings, research based articles is presented on Buddhist studies. It is open for all the visitors come to visit this precise Library. There is also 135 volume of Encyclopedia Tibetica and other rarefound pieces are intriguing to watch in the library. In this Library there is rule of not renting books for home and this is due to safety reasons for all the age old pieces of literature books. You can do one thing that when you are visiting library you can take notes in the reading rooms and photocopy of it.
Shopping
If you are going to such cultural place and you did not pick any antic items from there then your visit is incomplete. There is a place called Asta Mangala Art just opposite to the NIT for your shopping. The pieces like trinkets, other gift items, traditional Sikkimese art pieces for the home décor and many more in options.
Points to follow for visiting Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
1. You need to barefoot inside the museum.
2. No Photography is allowed inside.
3. You can precisely have the recess after long hours visiting to NIT with the hot coffee and tea along with different snacks.
How to reach
For a Gangtok tourist, this institute is hardly 15 to 20 min drive away. Reaching there is quite easy and this place is covered by most of the packaged tours and travel. The best thing about being here is that Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is six minutes walking away from Deoarli Bazaar Ropeway Station and Deorali taxi stand.
