NAMCHI

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Namchi is the district headquarter of south Sikkim. Namchi is fast becoming a major tourist spot and pilgrimage centre. The Namchi monastery, Ralong monastery and Tendong Hill are important Buddhist pilgrimage centres. The world's largest statue (at 118 feet) of the Guru Padmasambhava(picture left), also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling well) opposite Namchi. It was completed in February 2004. It is also said that the Samdruptse hill is actually a Dormant Volcano. Myths say that the buddhist monks have been going on top of the hill and offering prayers to the volcano to keep it calm.

There is also a Rock Garden just few kilometers up from the town on the way to Samdruptse. Rock Garden offers varieties of Flora. It is a recreation and picnic spot.


It offers a magnificent view of Mount Kanchendzonga (The Third highest Peak in the World).

The Central Park & central market place at Namchi is also another tourists attraction in Namchi. Most of the offices, schools, hotels etc. are located around this place. There is a giant aquarium in the centre of the area. One can avail ATM services of different private & public banks in the this area, which is the heart of the town (picture right).

Near the town, Sikkim's sole tea estate — the Temi Tea Garden is situated. The tea carries are premium the world over and costs around Rs 200/- a kg. The tea is marked by its exotic odour and flavour. People used to collect & sort tea leaves is another view worth watching (pictureleft).

Near the town, just a five minutes drive from the Namchi Bazaar, is the Rock Garden, which is also the Bio-diversity Park there. . There are more than three thousands different varieties of Orchid flower & Rhododendron.

Though there are plenty of quality hotels & holiday-homes in Namchi, but one may not stay in Namchi, as we stayed in Ravangla(which is two & half hour drive from Namchi) and visited Samdruptse, Tendong Hill, Mainam Hill, Temi Tea Garden etc from Ravangla.

Namchi is well connected to business town of south Sikkim like Jorethang, Singtum or even Gangtok(which is about five hours journey from Namchi). One can reach New Jalpaigudi(NJP) by train(here also plenty of options like Darjeeling Mail, Kanchenjunga Express, Tista-Torsa Express etc.) from Sealdah, Calcutta. From there one can avail private taxi with fixed rates or shared car services from NJP/Shiligudi to Namchi/Ravangla. All the roads are all-weather road well-maintained by BRO & GREF. Nearest airport is Bagdograh which is just a drive of an hour or two from Shiligudi.

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