Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Vote for Changu Lake, Tashiding Monastery and Mt. Kanchenjunga for India's Seven Wonders

NDTV is revealing the Seven Wonders of India though voting. Sikkim is known for its tourism hub in the entire world. Sikkim is placed along with other North Eastern States and finds three representatives. The three selected wonders from Sikkim include Changu Lake, Tashiding Monastery and our Mountain deity Mt. Kanchenjunga. So vote and lets help our Sikkim be the pride of India.

VOTE FOR SIKKIM



Mt Kanchenjunga

It is located on the border of Nepal and Sikkim, just 46 miles northwest of Darjeeling.

Kangchenjunga is known for picturesque views from the hill station of Darjeeling. On a clear day, it presents an image not as much of a mountain but of a white wall hanging from the sky. It is regarded as a holy mountain of Sikkim.

Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world (after Mount Everest and K2), with an altitude of 8,586 metres.

Kangchenjunga translated means `The Five Treasures of Snows`, as it contains five peaks, four of them over 8,450 metres.

In 1955 a British expedition under Charles Evans climbed the mountain, but in deference to local religious beliefs the party stopped a few yards short of the summit.


Changu Lake

Also known as Tsongmo Lake, it is located 35 kms from Gangtok, Sikkim.

Has an average depth of 50 ft.

Derives its water from the melting snow of the mountains.

Is oval in shape with a length of about 1 km.

Primula flowers and other alpine vegetation grow around the lake.

Brahminy ducks, red panda and migratory birds frequent the lake.

Situated at an altitude of 12,400 ft.

Tashiding Monastery

Situated in the state of Sikkim, it is located approximately 40 km from Gyalshing and 19 km to the south east of Yoksum.

Founded in 1717 by Ngadak Sempa Chembo (one of the three wise men who consecrated ceremony of the first lama), the monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order.

The Tashiding Gompa is located on the site blessed by the great Guru Padmasambhava.

Legend has it that Padmasambhava shot an arrow into the air to select the place where he would sit in meditation.

Rebuilt some time back, the main temple of the monastery stands encircled by traditional buildings, chortens and mani (stone plates).

Mani stand inscribed with the sacred Buddhist inscriptions, like "Om Mane Padme Hum".

Standing at the far end of the complex, are many chortens, preserving the relics of Sikkim Choygal and lamas. The most significant one is the `Thong-Wa-rang-Dol`- literally meaning `Saviours by mere sight`- this is believed to cleanse the soul of any person who looks at it.

Held in the 14th and 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, the annual festival of the monastery, known as the Bumchu Ceremony, is held at midnight and it attracts devotees from far and wide.

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