Today we visit the black cats for the permits for Nathula. Once all pemits from black cats are in place we head to police department, then to permit office and get all the necessary finalised permits in place. We are now officially allowed to enter north sikkim and also the restricted for bikes zone of Nathula and Gurudongmar. Today we are moving around with our bikes. We still have half a day at our disposal and decide to head for Rumtek Monastery.
 |
| Above the Police HQ |
 |
| The skies are so clear and beautiful |
 |
| A Stream we encountered midway |
 |
| Flags by the road side on way to Monastery |
A small pit stop where Raman tries to get inquisitive with a family 3 kids with their grandpa. Raman clicks them we also find the flora interesting around so we click some. There were some really beautiful flowers around.
 |
| Prayer Wheels |
On the approach road for Rumtek you can find this prayer wheels. we made our wishes and moved ahead. Below is tha main gate we had parked our bikes nearby as in all other places in gangtok here too there is parking charge of 10 bucks for each bike.
 |
| Gate to the Monastery |
The Monastery is guarded by the personnels from the Indian Army.
Monks can be seen studying here.
 |
| Entrance to inner Circle of Monastery and Monk Quarters |
Intricate Murals can be be seen once you enter the Monastery. You have to pay 30 bucks to gain entry courtesy tourism dept.
The monastery is home to a lot of monk students studying at the Nalanda University located just behind the monastery. The monks are mostly kids and teens still playful like any other normal kids. While I was trying to click them they started shoving around each other.
Here can be seen the entrance to the final hall of the monastery. On the ring of bells all the monks gathered inside and started reciting their prayers. We are allowed to move around albeit silently. Photography is not allowed inside you can get a guide to show you around and explain the paintings. I just followed a couple who had hired one. In the above pic we can see the murals of gods and their followers similar paintings adorn the inside walls too. Also inside is a big buddha statue behind a wall. Also inside there were big masks to be used during festivities.
 |
| The Great Golden Stupa Entrance |
The monks go about with their daily routines.
Once you head out of the major cities the skies really glow up and take up different hues.
The gate from inside.
A beautiful rose by the gate.
Outside the gate we went to a hotel had some momos and noodles and then headed back to the hotel. All through Gangtok we observed the sale of liqour is rampant so much that even grocery stores stock them. The same was seen outside the Monastery too. Liqour seems to be running in the veins of the people of Sikkim.
To be cntd......
Monks can be seen studying here.
No comments:
Post a Comment