Namchi
Namchi is the capital of the South Sikkim district of Sikkim. The word Namchi means “Top of the Sky” in Bhutia. It is located at an average elevation of 1,315 meters. 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 Buddhist Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling well) opposite Namchi. This hill is believed to fulfill all wishes, where the largest statue in the world of Lord Padmasambhava is also established. Formerly, this hill was believed to be a volcano, which is now dormant. According to myths, it is said that Buddhist saints and monks go up the hill and pray that the volcano does not erupt. Major Population of Namchi consists of Hindus and Buddhists and the language spoken is Hindi, Nepali and English.
Sai Baba Mandir:
This temple is located on route to Chaar Daam in Namchi. The temple is a religious and pilgrimage center dedicated to the people of Sikkim by the honorable Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling on 3rd Nov 2010. It is a two storied building displaying the modern architecture. The ground floor accommodates devotees chanting the holy mantras. and the first floor provides dwelling to the marble statue of Sri Shridi Sai Baba.
The temple not only serves as a pilgrimage centre but also a major tourist destination within the immediate periphery of other famous pilgrimage centre like Statue of Guru Rimpoche at Samdruptse and Chardhaam complex.
Char Dham:
Char Dham is popular pilgrimage destination of Sikkim situated about 5 Km. from Namchi Town at the Solophok Hills. This unique Pilgrim Centre covers about acres of land. It has a main temple of 108 feet height on which is based the 87 feet high statue of Lord Shiva on the sitting posture at the Solophok Hill. The temple complex is divided into 4 parts – the statue of Lord Shiva along with 12 Jyothirlingas, four dhams, a Sai Baba Mandir and the Kirateshwar Statue besides the Nandi bull. It is believed that during the Kurukshetra war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, this place was where Arjun worshipped Lord Shiva. It is also believed that Lord Shiva, pleased with Arjun, appeared before him as a hunter and blessed him which helped Pandavas in winning the war.
Temi Tea Garden:
The Temi Tea Garden was established in 1969 covering an area of 440 acres by the government of Sikkim. Top quality tea is produced, which is in demand in the international market. The garden is laid over a gradually sloping hill. The tea produced in this garden is also partly marketed under the trade name “Temi Tea”. The best quality tea produced here is the Temi Tea and the next quality is known by the name “Sikkim Solja” which is followed by “Mystique” and “Kanchenjunga Tea”
Samdruptse:
Samdruptse, means “The wish fulfilling hill” in local Bhutia language, lies close to Namchi in the South Sikkim region. It is at about 75 km from Gangtok. A giant statue stands about 135 feet of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche – the patron saint of Sikkim who is believed to have blessed the land of Sikkim.The foundation stone for the statue was laid by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in the year 1997 and construction of the statue was completed in about three years of time. The views are spectacular across and the statue can be seen from across many places in Sikkim and Darjeeling.