Gangtok (Nepali:gāntok,pronounced[gantok],Sikkimese:[ɡaŋt̪ʰòk]) is the capital and the most populous city of theIndian state ofSikkim. The seat ofeponymous district, Gangtok is in the easternHimalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The city's population of 100,000 consists of the threeSikkimese ethnicities: theBhutias,Lepchas,Indian Gorkhas as well as plainsmen from other states of India. Within the higher peaks of theHimalayas and with a year-round mildtemperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim's tourism industry.
Gangtok rose to prominence as a popularBuddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of theEnchey Monastery in 1840. In 1894, the ruling SikkimeseChogyal,Thutob Namgyal, transferred the capital to Gangtok. In the early 20th century, Gangtok became a major stopover on thetrade route betweenLhasa inTibet and cities such asKolkata (then Calcutta) inBritish India. After India won its independence from theBritish Empire in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital. After Sikkim's merger with India in 1975, Gangtok continued as the state capital.
The precise meaning of the name "Gangtok" is unclear, though most agree that the meaning is "hill top", inSikkimese:སྒང་ཏོག་, theWylie transliteration being Sgang Tog.[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 thehermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716.[7] Gangtok remained a small hamlet until the construction of theEnchey 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 thetelegraph in the area were built during this time.
In 1894,Thutob Namgyal, the Sikkimese monarch under British rule, shifted the capital fromTumlong to Gangtok, increasing the city's importance. A new grand palace along with other state buildings was built in the new capital. FollowingIndia's independence in 1947, Sikkim became anation-state with Gangtok as its capital. Sikkim came under thesuzerainty of India, with the condition that it would retain its independence, by the treaty signed between theChogyal and the thenIndian Prime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru.[9] This pact gave the Indians control of external affairs on behalf of Sikkimese. Trade between India and Tibet flourished through theNathula andJelepla passes, benefiting Gangtok. Trade declined with the Chinese crackdown in Tibet in 1959 and the passes were sealed after theSino-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 annuallandslides, 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]
Gangtok is located at27°19′57″N88°36′50″E / 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 theRaj Bhawan, thegovernor'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 andRanikhola.[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 theTeesta atSingtam.[13] Most roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them.[16]
Most ofSikkim, including Gangtok, is underlain byPrecambrian rocks which containfoliatedphyllites andschists; 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 theBureau of Indian Standards, the town falls underseismic zone-IV (on a scale of I to V, in order of increasing seismic activity), near theconvergent boundary of theIndian and theEurasiantectonic 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. MountKanchenjunga (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 ofpoplar,birch,oak andelm, as well asevergreen,coniferous trees of thewet 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 andsubtropical.[17] Flowers such assunflower,marigold,poinsettia and others bloom, especially in November and December.
Gangtok has a monsoon-influencedsubtropical highland climate (Köppen:Cwb). Because of its elevation and sheltered environment, Gangtok enjoys a mild,temperate climate all year round. Like most Himalayan towns, Gangtok has five seasons: summer,monsoons, autumn, winter and spring. Temperatures range from an average maximum of 22 °C (72 °F) in summertime to an average minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) in winter.[22] Summers (lasting from late April to May) are mild, with maximum temperatures rarely crossing 25 °C (77 °F). The monsoon season from June to September is characterised by intense torrential rains, often causing landslides that block Gangtok's land access to the rest of the country. Rainfall starts to rise from pre-monsoon in May and peaks during the monsoon, with July recording the highest monthly average of 649.6 mm (25.6 in).[22] In winter temperature averages between 4 °C (39 °F) and 7 °C (45 °F).[22]Snowfall is rare and in recent times, Gangtok has received snow only in 1990, 2004, 2005[17] and 2020.[23] Temperatures belowfreezing are also rare.[17] During this season the weather can be unstable and change abruptly from bright sunshine and clear skies to heavy rain within a couple of hours. During spring and autumn, the weather is generally sunny and mild. Owing to its elevation, Gangtok is often enveloped infog during the monsoon and winter months.
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.[24] 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.[25]
Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Market are prominent business areas and tourist spots in Gangtok.[26]
Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature-oriented activities.[24] An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007, generating revenue of about₹500 million (equivalent to₹1.5 billion or US$18 million in 2023).[25]
TheNathula 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 theSino-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.[24] Back in 2008 the Sikkim government stated that it was keen to open aLhasa–Gangtok bus service via the Nathula Pass[27] though 15 years later no such service has materialised. Sikkim's mountainous terrain limits the area's potential for rapid industrial development.[24] 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 thrivingCottage industry in watchmaking,country-made alcohol and handicrafts.[24] 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. As part of Sikkim, Gangtok enjoys the status of being an income-tax free region as per the state's 1948 Income tax law.[28] As Sikkim is a frontier state, theIndian 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.[29] The Sikkim government started India's firstonline lotteryPlaywin to boost government income, but this was later closed by a ruling from the Sikkim High Court.[30]
Agriculture is a large employer in Sikkim and in 2003 theSikkim state government declared the goal of converting the whole sector to organic production.[31] The goal of 100% organic was achieved in 2016.[31] This achievement offers newexport opportunities to grow the agriculture sector, to achieve premium prices and new opportunities foragritourism.[31]
The "White Hall" complex on "The Ridge" houses the residences of theChief Minister and Governor of Sikkim.
Sikkim Legislative Assembly in Gangtok. Fog is common in Gangtok.
Gangtok is administered by theGangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) along with the various departments of theGovernment of Sikkim, particularly theUrban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).[13][32] 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.[33]
As the headquarters ofEast Sikkim district, Gangtok houses the offices of thedistrict collector, an administrator appointed by the Union Government of India. Gangtok is also the seat of theSikkim High Court, which is India's smallestHigh Court in terms of area and population of jurisdiction.[34] 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 aDirector General of Police, although anInspector General of Police oversees the town.[35] Sikkim is known for its very low crime rate.[36] Rongyek jail in Gangtok is Sikkim's only central jail.[37]
Electricity is supplied by the power department of theGovernment 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 theBorder Roads Organisation, a division of theIndian 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 theRateychu 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 whilesullage is discharged into the drains.[13] Without a proper sanitation system, the practice of disposing sewage through septic tanks and directly discharging intoJhoras and open drains is prevalent.[13] The entire city drains into the two rivers,Ranikhola andRoro Chu, through numerous small streams and Jhoras. Ranikhola and Roro Chu rivers confluence withTeesta 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 intoJhora, 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]
Taxis are the most widely available public transport within Gangtok.[17] Most of the residents stay within a few kilometres of the town centre[40] and many have their own vehicles such astwo-wheelers and cars.[41] The share of personal vehicles and taxis combined is 98% of Gangtok's total vehicles, a high percentage when compared to other Indian cities.[17] City buses constitute less than one per cent of vehicles.[17] Those travelling longer distances generally make use of share-jeeps, a kind of public taxis.Four wheel drives are used to easily navigate the steep slopes of the roads. The 1 km (0.6 mi) longcable car with three stops connects lower Gangtok suburbs with Sikkim Legislative assembly in central Gangtok and the upper suburbs.[42]
Gangtok is connected to the rest of India by an all-weather metalled highway,National Highway 10 (NH10),[43] earlier known asNational Highway 31A, which links Gangtok toSiliguri, located 114 km (71 mi) away in the neighbouring state ofWest Bengal. The highway also provides a link to the neighbouring hill station towns ofDarjeeling andKalimpong, which are the nearest urban areas. Regular jeep, van and bus services link these towns to Gangtok. Gangtok is alinear city that has developed along the arterial roads, especially National Highway 31A.[13] Most of the road length in Gangtok is of two lane undivided carriageway withfootpath on one side of the road and drain on the other. The steep gradient of the different road stretches coupled with a spiral road configuration constrain the smooth flow of vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic.[13]
The nearest railhead connected to the rest of India isNew Jalpaiguri Junction railway station (station code - NJP) inSiliguri, 124 km (77 mi) from Gangtok via NH10. Another railway station near Gangtok isSiliguri Junction (station code - SGUJ). There are quite many trains that connect Siliguri Junction withSealdah railway station in Kolkata and others parts of north-east India. Work has begun on a broad-gauge railway link from Sevoke in West Bengal toRangpo in Sikkim,[44] which is planned for extension to Gangtok.[45]
Pakyong Airport[46] is spread over 400 ha (990 acres) at Pakyong, about 35 km (22 mi) south of Gangtok.[47] At 1,400 m (4,500 ft), it is one of the five highest airports in India,[48] and also the firstgreenfield airport to be constructed in the Northeastern Region of India,[49] the 100th operational airport in India, and the only airport in the state of Sikkim.[50][51]
The airport was inaugurated by India's Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on 24 September 2018[52] and the first commercial flights from the airport began on 4 October 2018 between Pakyong andKolkata.[53]
Population 1951–2011.[24] Negative growth attributed to reduction of notified town limits.
According to the Provisional Population Totals 2011census 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.[54] 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.[55] 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]
EthnicNepalis, who settled in the region during British rule,[56] constitute the majority of Gangtok's residents.Lepchas, native to the land, andBhutias also constitute a sizeable portion of the populace.[56] Additionally, a large number ofTibetans have immigrated to the town. Immigrant resident communities not native to the region include theMarwaris,[13]Bhojpuris andBengalis.[57]
Hinduism andBuddhism are the most significant religions in Gangtok.[24] Gangtok also has a sizeable Christian population and a smallMuslim minority.[24] The North East Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Church and Anjuman Mosque in Gangtok are places of worship for the religious minorities.[59] The town has not been communalised, having never witnessed any sort of inter-religious strife in its history.[60]Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim as well as Gangtok.[61]English andHindi being the official language of Sikkim and India respectively, are also widely spoken and understood in most of Sikkim, particularly in Gangtok.[62][63] Other languages spoken in Gangtok include Bhutia (Sikkimese),Tibetan andLepcha.
A popular food in Gangtok is themomo,[65] 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 ofnoodle calledthukpa,[65] served in soup form is also popular in Gangtok. Other noodle-based foods such as thechowmein,thenthuk, fakthu,gyathuk andwonton are available. Other traditional Sikkimese cuisine include shah-phaley (Sikkimese patties with spiced minced meat in a crispsamosa-like case) and Gack-ko soup.[66] Restaurants offer a wide variety of traditional Indian, continental andChinese cuisines to cater to the tourists.Churpee, a kind of hard cheese made from cow's oryak's milk is sometimes chewed.Chhang is a local frothymillet beer traditionally served in bamboo tankards and drunk through bamboo or cane straws.[66]
Football (soccer),cricket andarchery are the most popular sports in Gangtok.[24] ThePaljor 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.[64]Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in the monasteries during the Tibetan new year.[64]
A centre of Buddhist learning and culture, Gangtok's most notable Buddhist institutions are theEnchey monastery,[5] the Do-drul Chorten stupa complex and theRumtek Monastery. The Enchey monastery is the city's oldest monastery and is the seat of theNyingma order.[59] The two-hundred-year-old baroque monastery houses images of gods, goddesses, and other religious artefacts.[59] In the month of January, theChaam, or masked dance, is performed with great fanfare. TheDo-drul Chorten is astupa which was constructed in 1945 by Trulshik Rimpoché, head of the Nyingma order ofTibetan Buddhism.[59] Inside this stupa are complete set of relics, holy books, andmantras. Surrounding the edifice are 108Mani Lhakor, orprayer wheels.[59] The complex also houses a religious school.
TheRumtek Monastery on the outskirts of the town is one of Buddhism's most sacred monasteries. The monastery is the seat of theKagyu order, one of the major Tibetan sects, and houses some of the world's most sacred and rareTibetan Buddhist scriptures and religious objects in its reliquary. Constructed in the 1960s, the building is modelled after a similar monastery inLhasa,Tibet. Rumtek was the focus of international media attention in 2000 after the seventeenthKarmapa, one of the four holiest lamas, fled Lhasa and sought refuge in the monastery.[67][68]
TheNamgyal Institute of Tibetology, better known as the Tibetology Museum, houses a huge collection of masks, Buddhist scriptures, statues, and tapestries.[69] It has over two hundred Buddhist icons, and is a centre of study of Buddhist philosophy. Gonjang Monastery, located near Tashi Viewpoint at an altitude of 6066 feet is around 9 kilometres away from the city centre M.G. Marg in Gangtok. Gonjang Monastery built in 1981 by H.E. Tingkye Gonjang Rimpoche, features marvelous Tibetan architecture. The Buddhist monastery features golden statues and a huge prayer wheel below the main shrine. The monastery is also popular for the panoramic scenic mountain views it offers. TheThakurbari Temple, located in the heart of the city, established in 1935 on a prime piece of land donated by the then Maharaja of Sikkim, is one of the oldest and best-knownHindu temples in the city.[70][71] The Ganesh Tok and theHanuman Tok, dedicated to the Hindu godsGanpati andHanuman and housing important Hindu deities, are located in the upper reaches of the city.[72][73] The Himalayan Zoological Park exhibits the fauna of the Himalayas in their natural habitats. The zoo features theHimalayan black bear,red pandas, thebarking deer, thesnow leopard, theleopard cat,Tibetan wolf,masked palm civet and thespotted deer, amongst the others.[74] Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens, near Rumtek, houses many species oforchid and as many as fifty different species of tree, including manyoaks.[75]
Colleges conferring graduate degrees includeSikkim 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 theSikkim Manipal University, which housesSikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences andSikkim Manipal Institute of Technology.[13] TheIndira 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.[78][79]
More than 50 newspapers are published in Sikkim.[80] Multiple local Nepali and English newspapers are published,[81] 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.[59] The town also has a public library.[59]
The main service providers areSikkim Cable,Nayuma,[82]Dish TV andDoordarshan.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.[83]BSNL,Vodafone,Jio andAirtel have the four largest cellular networks in the town with 4G services available within the city limits. There is aDoordarshan TV station in Gangtok.[84]
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