Gangtok

The precise meaning of the name "Gangtok" is unclear, though most agree that the meaning is "hill cut".[5]

Like the rest of Sikkim, not much is known about the early history of Gangtok.[6] The earliest records date from the construction of the hermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716.[7] Gangtok remained a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage centre. It became the capital of what was left of Sikkim after its English conquest in the mid-19th century in response to a hostage crisis. After the defeat of the Tibetans by the British, Gangtok became a major stopover in the trade between Tibet and British India at the end of the 19th century.[8] Most of the roads and the telegraph in the area were built during this time.

In 1894, Thutob Namgyal, the Sikkimese monarch under British rule, shifted the capital from Tumlong to Gangtok, increasing the city's importance. A new grand palace along with other state buildings was built in the new capital. Following India's independence in 1947, Sikkim became a nation-state with Gangtok as its capital. Sikkim came under the suzerainty of India, with the condition that it would retain its independence, by the treaty signed between the Chogyal and the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.[9] This pact gave the Indians control of external affairs on behalf of Sikkimese. Trade between India and Tibet flourished through the Nathula and Jelepla passes, benefiting Gangtok. Trade declined with the Chinese crackdown in Tibet in 1959 and the passes were sealed after the Sino-Indian War in 1962.[10][11] The Nathula pass was finally opened to limited trade in 2006, fuelling hopes of economic boom.[12]

In 1975, after years of political uncertainty and struggle, including riots, the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India's twenty-second state, with Gangtok as its capital after a referendum. Gangtok has witnessed annual landslides, resulting in loss of life and damage to property. The largest disaster occurred in June 1997, when 38 were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed.[13]

Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga, visible from Gangtok, the third highest mountain in the world, near the Zemu Glacier.

Gangtok is located at 27.3325°N 88.6140°E / 27.3325; 88.6140 (coordinates of Gangtok head post office).[2] It is in the lower Himalayas at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft).[14] The town is on the side of a hill, with "The Ridge",[8][15] a promenade with the Raj Bhawan, the governor's residence, at one end and the palace, at an altitude of about 1,800 m (5,900 ft), at the other. The city is flanked east and west by two streams, Roro Chu and Ranikhola.[13] These two rivers divide the natural drainage into two parts, eastern and western. Both streams meet the Ranipul and flow south as the Ranikhola before joining the Teesta at Singtam.[13] Most kind roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them.[16]

Banjhakri Falls – Gangtok

Most of Sikkim, including Gangtok, is underlain by Precambrian rocks which contain foliated phyllites and schists; slopes are therefore prone to frequent landslides.[17] Surface runoff of water by natural streams (jhora) and man-made drains has contributed to the risk of landslides.[13] According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the town falls under seismic zone-IV (on a scale of I to V, in order of increasing seismic activity), near the convergent boundary of the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates and is subject to frequent earthquakes. The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the town in the distance. Mount Kanchenjunga (8,598 m or 28,209 ft)—the world's third-highest peak—is visible to the west of the city. The existence of steep slopes, vulnerability to landslides, large forest cover and inadequate access to most areas have been a major impediment to the natural and balanced growth of the city.[13]

Densely forested regions surround Gangtok, temperate, deciduous forests of poplar, birch, oak and elm, as well as evergreen, coniferous trees of the wet alpine zone.[17] Orchids are common and rare varieties of orchids are featured in flower shows in the city. Bamboo is also abundant. In the lower reaches of the town, the vegetation gradually changes from alpine to temperate deciduous and subtropical.[17] Flowers such as sunflower, marigold, poinsettia and others bloom, especially in November and December.

Dro-dul Chorten, Gangtok, Sikkim.

Mahatma Gandhi Marg is one of the main shopping and cultural activity streets in Gangtok.

Gangtok is the main base for Sikkim tourism.[23] Summer and spring seasons are the most popular tourist seasons. Many of Gangtok's residents are employed directly and indirectly in the tourism industry, with many residents owning and working in hotels and restaurants.[24]

Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Market are prominent business areas and tourist spots in Gangtok.[25]

Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities.[23] An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007, generating revenue of about ₹500 million (equivalent to ₹1.5 billion or US$19 million in 2023).[24]

The Nathula Pass, located about 50 km (31 mi) from Gangtok, used to be the primary route of the wool, fur and spice trade with Tibet and spurred economic growth for Gangtok till the mid-20th century. In 1962, after the border was closed during the Sino-Indian War, Gangtok fell into recession.[10] The pass was reopened in 2006 and trade through the pass has helped to boost the economy of Gangtok.[23] The Sikkim government is keen to open a Lhasa–Gangtok bus service via Nathula pass.[26] Sikkim's mountainous terrain results in the lack of train or air links, limiting the area's potential for rapid industrial development.[23] The government is the largest employer in the city,[13] both directly and as contractors.

Gangtok's economy does not have a large manufacturing base, but has a thriving Cottage industry in watch-making, country-made alcohol and handicrafts.[23] Among the handicrafts are the handmade paper industry made from various vegetable fibres or cotton rags. The main market in Gangtok provides many of the state's rural residents a place to offer their produce during the harvest seasons. The majority of the private business community is made up of Marwaris and Biharis. As part of Sikkim, Gangtok enjoys the status of being an income-tax free region as per the state's 1948 Income tax law.[27] As Sikkim is a frontier state, the Indian army maintains a large presence in the vicinity of Gangtok. This leads to a population of semi-permanent residents who bring money into the local economy.[28] The Sikkim government started India's first online lottery Playwin to boost government income, but this was later closed by a ruling from the Sikkim High Court.[29]

Agriculture is a large employer in Sikkim and in 2003 the Sikkim state government declared the goal of converting the whole sector to organic production.[30] The goal of 100% organic was achieved in 2016.[30] This achievement offers new export opportunities to grow the agriculture sector, to achieve premium prices and new opportunities for agritourism.[30]

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  The "White Hall" complex on "The Ridge" houses the residences of the Chief Minister and Governor of Sikkim.
• 
  Sikkim Legislative Assembly in Gangtok. Fog is common in Gangtok.

Gangtok is administered by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) along with the various departments of the Government of Sikkim, particularly the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).[13][31] These departments provide municipal functions such as garbage disposal, water supply, tax collection, licence allotments, and civic infrastructure. An administrator appointed by the state government heads the UDHD.[32]

As the headquarters of East Sikkim district, Gangtok houses the offices of the district collector, an administrator appointed by the Union Government of India. Gangtok is also the seat of the Sikkim High Court, which is India's smallest High Court in terms of area and population of jurisdiction.[33] Gangtok does not have its own police commissionerate like other major cities in India. Instead, it comes under the jurisdiction of the state police, which is headed by a Director General of Police, although an Inspector General of Police oversees the town.[34] Sikkim is known for its very low crime rate.[35] Rongyek jail in Gangtok is Sikkim's only central jail.[36]

Gangtok is within the Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency that elects a member to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) of the Indian Parliament. The city elects one member in the Sikkim state legislative assembly, the Vidhan Sabha. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won both the parliamentary election in 2009 and the state assembly seat in the 2009 state assembly polls.[37][38]

Electricity is supplied by the power department of the Government of Sikkim. Gangtok has a nearly uninterrupted electricity supply due to Sikkim's numerous hydroelectric power stations. The rural roads around Gangtok are maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, a division of the Indian army. Several roads in Gangtok are reported to be in a poor condition,[13] whereas building construction activities continue almost unrestrained in this city lacking proper land infrastructure.[13] Most households are supplied by the central water system maintained and operated by the PHED.[13] The main source of PHED water supply is the Rateychu River, located about 16 km (9.9 mi) from the city, at an altitude of 2,621 m (8,599 ft). Its water treatment plant is located at Selep. The river Rateychu is snow-fed and has perennial streams. Since there is no habitation in the catchment area except for a small army settlement, there is little environmental degradation and the water is of very good quality.[13] 40 seasonal local springs are used by the Rural Management and Development Department of Sikkim Government to supply water to outlying rural areas.

Around 40% of the population has access to sewers.[13] However, only the toilet waste is connected to the sewer while sullage is discharged into the drains.[13] Without a proper sanitation system, the practice of disposing sewage through septic tanks and directly discharging into Jhoras and open drains is prevalent.[13] The entire city drains into the two rivers, Ranikhola and Roro Chu, through numerous small streams and Jhoras. Ranikhola and Roro Chu rivers confluence with Teesta River, the major source of drinking water to the population downstream. The densely populated urban area of Gangtok does not have a combined drainage system to drain out the stormwater and wastewater from the buildings.[13] The estimated solid waste generated in Gangtok city is approximately 45 tonnes.[13] Only around 40% of this is collected by UDHD, while the remainder is indiscriminately thrown into Jhora, streets and valleys.[13] The collected waste is disposed in a dump located about 20 km (12 mi) from the city. There is no waste collection from inaccessible areas where vehicles cannot reach, nor does any system of collection of waste exist in the adjoining rural areas. The city is under a statewide ban on the use of polythene bags.[13]

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  Gangtok cable car
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  The Teesta River runs along the National Highway 31A connecting Gangtok to Siliguri.
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  National Highway 31A by the night.

Air

Runway at Pakyong Airport, the first greenfield airport to be constructed in Northeast India.

Pakyong Airport[45] is spread over 400 ha (990 acres) at Pakyong, about 35 km (22 mi) south of Gangtok.[46] At 1,400 m (4,500 ft), it is one of the five highest airports in India,[47] and also the first greenfield airport to be constructed in the Northeastern Region of India,[48] the 100th operational airport in India, and the only airport in the state of Sikkim.[49][50]

The airport was inaugurated by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2018[51] and the first commercial flights from the airport began on 4 October 2018 between Pakyong and Kolkata.[52]

According to the Provisional Population Totals 2011 census of India, the population of Gangtok Municipal Corporation has been estimated to be 98,658. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. The Gangtok subdivision of the East Sikkim district had a population of 281,293, Gangtok has an average literacy rate of 82.17%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 85.33%, and female literacy is 78.68.[53] About 8% of Gangtok's population live in the nine notified slums and squatter settlements, all on Government land. More people live in areas that depict slum-like characteristics but have not been notified as slums yet because they have developed on private land.[54] Of the total urban population of Sikkim, Gangtok Municipal Corporation has a share of 55.5%. Including Gangtok, East District has a share of 88% of the total urban population. The quality of life, the pace of development and availability of basic infrastructure and employment prospects has been the major cause for rapid migration to the city. With this migration, the urban services are under pressure, intensified by the lack of availability of suitable land for infrastructure development.[13]

Ethnic Nepalis, who settled in the region during British rule,[55] constitute the majority of Gangtok's residents. Lepchas, native to the land, and Bhutias also constitute a sizeable portion of the populace.[55] Additionally, a large number of Tibetans have immigrated to the town. Immigrant resident communities not native to the region include the Marwaris,[13] Biharis and Bengalis.

Hinduism and Buddhism are the most significant religions in Gangtok.[23] Gangtok also has a sizeable Christian population and a small Muslim minority.[23] The North East Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Church and Anjuman Mosque in Gangtok are places of worship for the religious minorities.[57] The town has not been communalised, having never witnessed any sort of inter-religious strife in its history.[58] Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim as well as Gangtok.[59] English and Hindi being the official language of Sikkim and India respectively, are also widely spoken and understood in most of Sikkim, particularly in Gangtok.[60][61] Other languages spoken in Gangtok include Bhutia (Sikkimese), Tibetan and Lepcha.

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  The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Museum displays rare Lepcha tapestries, masks and Buddhist statues.
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  View of downtown Gangtok city from Crown Prince Tenzing Kunzang Namgyal Walkway.
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  Rumtek Monastery, located on the outskirts of Gangtokone, is one of Buddhism's holiest monasteries.

Apart from the major religious festivals of Dashain, Tihar, Christmas, Holi etc., the diverse ethnic populace of the town celebrates several local festivals. The Lepchas and Bhutias celebrate new year in January, while Tibetans celebrate the new year (Losar) with "Devil Dance" in January–February. The Maghe sankranti, Ram Navami are some of the important Nepalese festivals. Chotrul Duchen, Buddha Jayanti, the birthday of the Dalai Lama, Loosong, Bhumchu, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen and Drupka Teshi are some other festivals, some distinct to local culture and others shared with the rest of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.[23][62]

A popular food in Gangtok is the momo,[63] a steamed dumpling containing pork, beef and vegetables cooked in a doughy wrapping and served with watery soup. Wai-Wai is a packaged snack consisting of noodles which are eaten either dry or in soup form. A form of noodle called thukpa,[63] served in soup form is also popular in Gangtok. Other noodle-based foods such as the chowmein, thenthuk, fakthu, gyathuk and wonton are available. Other traditional Sikkimese cuisine include shah-phaley (Sikkimese patties with spiced minced meat in a crisp samosa-like case) and Gack-ko soup.[64] Restaurants offer a wide variety of traditional Indian, continental and Chinese cuisines to cater to the tourists. Churpee, a kind of hard cheese made from cow's or yak's milk is sometimes chewed. Chhang is a local frothy millet beer traditionally served in bamboo tankards and drunk through bamboo or cane straws.[64]

Football (soccer), cricket and archery are the most popular sports in Gangtok.[23] The Paljor Stadium, which hosts football matches, is the sole sporting ground in the city. Thangka—a notable handicraft—is an elaborately hand-painted religious scroll in brilliant colours drawn on fabric hung in a monastery or a family altar and occasionally carried by monks in ceremonial processions.[62] Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in the monasteries during the Tibetan new year.[62]

Gangtok's schools are either run by the state government or by private and religious organisations. Schools mainly use English and Nepali as their medium of instruction. The schools are either affiliated with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, Central Board of Secondary Education or the National Institute of Open Schooling. Notable schools include the Tashi Namgyal Academy,[74] Paljor Namgyal Girls School, Holy Cross School, Taktse International School, Sikkim Judicial Academy, and Kendriya Vidyalaya.[75]

Colleges conferring graduate degrees include Sikkim Government College, Sikkim Government Law College and Damber Singh College.[13] Sikkim University established in 2007 is functioning in Gangtok; the university has been allotted land in neighbouring Yang Yang town for establishment of its own campus. The university offers a diverse range of courses and has a number of institutes affiliated to it. 8 km (5.0 mi) from here is the headquarters of the Sikkim Manipal University, which houses Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology.[13] The Indira Gandhi National Open University also has a regional centre in the city. There are other institutions offering diplomas in Buddhist literature, catering and other non-mainstream fields.[13] District Institute of Education and Training and State Institute of Education conduct teacher training programmes.[76][77]

More than 50 newspapers are published in Sikkim.[78] Multiple local Nepali and English newspapers are published,[79] whereas regional and national Hindi and English newspapers, printed elsewhere in India, are also circulated.

Gangtok has two cinemas featuring Nepali, Hindi and English-language films.[57] The town also has a public library.[57]

The main service providers are Sikkim Cable, Nayuma,[80] Dish TV and Doordarshan. All India Radio has a local station in Gangtok, which transmits various programmes of mass interest. Gangtok has three FM stations, namely 93.5 (Red FM), 95.0 (Radio Misty), 91.9 (Nine FM) and one AIR Gangtok radio station.[81] BSNL, Vodafone, Jio and Airtel have the four largest cellular networks in the town with 4G services available within the city limits. There is a Doordarshan TV station in Gangtok.[82]

• Tourism in Northeast India

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gangtok.

• Gangtok travel guide from Wikivoyage