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LOC Dunali, LOC Chamba, LOC Tang Narwana, LOC TTT, LOC Thatri, LOC Bhagsu, LOC Ilaqa Got, LOC Ravi Valley, LOC Kareri, LOC Triund, LOC Dhauladhar, LOC Dharamshala, LOC Dharamkot, LOC Toral Pass, LOC Bhimghasutri Pass, LOC Bleni Pass, LOC Camp Himalayan Nest, LOC Kareri Lake | Dharamshala is a starting point to a number of trekking trails that especially includes lead trekkers across Dhauladhar into the upper Ravi Valley and Chamba district. En route, trekkers cross through forests of deodar, pine, oak and rhododendron, and pass streams and rivers and wind along vertiginous cliff tracks, and the occasional lake waterfall and glacier.
A two-kilometer amble takes one to Bhagsu, and then a further three-kilometer walk will lead the trekkers to Dharamkot. If one wishes to go on a longer walk then he/she can trek eight-kilometers to Triund. The snow line of Ilaqa Got is just a five-kilometer walk.
Other trekking trails that lead trekkers to Chamba from Dharamshala are:
Toral Pass (4575m) which begins from Tang Narwana (1150m) that is nearly 10 km from Dharamshala
Across Bhimghasutri Pass (4580m) via near-vertical rocky ascents, steep cliffs and dangerous gorges. This is a highly difficult level trek and takes around six days to complete.
Dharamshala—Bleni Pass (3710m) – Dunali. Compared to other trekking trails, this one is much easier and takes around four or five-days to complete. The trek leads through alpine pastures, woods, and streams, before ending at Dunali, on the Chamba road.
Dharamshala is an ideal destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. One can go rock climbing over the ridges of the Dhauladhar range.
Kareri Lake (near Kareri village) is also a famous trekking destination for travellers.
Triund-Thatri-Trek (TTT) a circular trek for two nights and three days around Dharamshala. The first day involves walking up to Triund and staying for a night, and the second day walk to a village called Thatri and stay overnight at Camp Himalayan Nest. The third day after walking for couple of hours, walkers reach to broadhead near Dharamshala. | Dharamsala Trekking |
ORG White Crane Arts & Media, PER Ritu Sarin, ORG DIFF, PER Tenzing Sonam | DIFF was established in 2012. It is presented by White Crane Arts & Media trust, established by filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam to promote contemporary art, cinema and independent media practices in the Himalayan region. | Dharamsala Dharamshala International Film Festival |
LOC Chandigarh, LOC NH 154, LOC NH 503, LOC Delhi, LOC Dharamshala, LOC Shimla | Buses of all classes (deluxe, air-conditioned, and regular) ply daily between Dharamshala and major cities such as Chandigarh, Delhi, and Shimla through NH 154 and NH 503. | Dharamsala Road |
LOC Gaggal, LOC Kangra, LOC Dharamshala | Dharamshala town is reached by Gaggal Airport codes|DHM|VIGG, about 12 km to the town's south and about 10 km north of Kangra town. | Dharamsala Air |
LOC Chamunda Marg, LOC Kangra, LOC Kangra Valley Railway, LOC Jogindernagar, LOC Dharamshala, LOC Pathankot | Pathankot, some 90 km away, is the nearest broad gauge railway head. The Kangra Valley Railway, a narrow gauge railway line connecting Pathankot to Jogindernagar, can also be used to reach the town via rail. This line is well-known for picturesque views of the Kangra valley from it. The nearest station to Dharamshala on this line is Chamunda Marg, located about 22 km southeast. | Dharamsala Rail |
LOC Mcleodganj Town, ORG HIMALAYA CAB, LOC Himachal Pradesh, LOC Dharamshala | To Exlpore Dharamshala and Mcleodganj Town by taxi & cab service, There is Two registered Taxi union and One online working company with the name of "HIMALAYA CAB" Registered with Himachal Pradesh Tourism in Dharamshala city. | Dharamsala Taxi |
LOC Mcleodganj, LOC Dharamshala Skyway, LOC Dharamshala | A 1.8 km long ropeway called Dharamshala Skyway connecting Dharamshala and Mcleodganj via cable car was inaugurated in January 2022. | Dharamsala Ropeway |
PER Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, ORG Government College of Teacher Education Dharamsala Himachal Pradesh University International Sahaja Public School, ORG Central University of Himachal Pradesh, LOC Jama Masjid Dharamshala, ORG Kangra | Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra
Government College of Teacher Education Dharamsala
Himachal Pradesh University
International Sahaja Public School
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad memorial Library at Jama Masjid Dharamshala | Dharamsala Educational institutions |
ORG Dharamshala College, LOC India, LOC Himachal Pradesh, LOC HPCA International Cricket Stadium, PER Dalai Lama, LOC England, LOC Dharmashala, LOC HPCAS, ORG Kings XI Punjab, LOC Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, ORG Government Degree College, ORG IPL, ORG Chennai Superkings | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCAS) is a cricket stadium of international reputation, which serves as the home ground to the Himachal Pradesh state cricket team and for the IPL team Kings XI Punjab to a limited extent. By virtue of its natural backdrop, it is one of the most attractive cricket stadiums in the world. It is also one of the highest altitude Cricket Stadiums in the world. In addition to Ranji matches, some international matches are held here. The HPCA International Cricket Stadium is located near the Government Degree College, Dharmashala. The first One day International held at the ground was played between India and England on Sunday, 27 January 2013 which England won by 7 wickets. In May 2011, a match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Superkings was held here which was attended by the Dalai Lama.
The snow-capped mountains can be easily viewed throughout the year. An additional feature is the Dharamshala College nearby which is surrounded by pine trees on one side. | Dharamsala Dharamshala International Cricket Stadium |
PER Tenzin Gyatso, PER Earl of Elgin, LOC India, PER Kishan Kapoor, LOC Kangra, PER Sheetal Thakur, PER Mehr Chand Mahajan, ORG J & K, PER Dalai Lama, LOC Dharamshala, ORG Royal Academy of Arts London, LOC Dharamkot, PER James Bruce, PER Purva Rana, PER Asif Basra, PER Alfred W. Hallett | Mehr Chand Mahajan (1889–1967) from Dharamshala was the third Chief Justice of India and 1st Prime Minister of J&K
Tenzin Gyatso, HH The 14th Dalai Lama
James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, died here.
Alfred W. Hallett, artist who exhibited twice in Royal Academy of Arts London and lived 41 years at Dharamkot in upper Dharamshala; died here in 1986.
Kishan Kapoor, Member of Parliament, Kangra.
Purva Rana, Vice Queen at Miss United Continent, 2013
Sheetal Thakur, Indian model and actor.
Asif Basra, died here 12 november 2020 | Dharamsala Notable residents |
ORG Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, ORG Central Tibetan Administration | Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Central Tibetan Administration | Dharamsala Notable organisations |
ORG 85182, PER O. C, PER Handa, LOC Himachal Pradesh, PER V, ORG Indus Publishing Co, LOC Dhauladhar, LOC New Delhi, PER Verma, ORG Indus Publishing Co. | Verma, V. 1996. Gaddis of Dhauladhar: A Transhumant Tribe of the Himalayas. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi.
Handa, O. C. 1987. Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi.ISBN 81-85182-03-5. | Dharamsala Bibliography |
LOC Assam, LOC Nagaland, LOC Northeast India, LOC Dhansiri River, LOC Dimapur | Dimapur () is the largest city in the Indian state of Nagaland. As of 2011, the municipality had a population of 122,834. The city is the main gateway and commercial centre of Nagaland. Located near the border with Assam along the banks of the Dhansiri River. Its main railway station is the second busiest station in Northeast India. | Dimapur Introduction |
PER Timisa, LOC Heramba Kingdom, LOC Dimbapur, PER Hidimbi, PER Bhima, PER Pandava, LOC Khaspur, LOC Dimasa Kachari Kingdom, LOC Dimasa Kachari, PER Ghatotkacha, LOC Dimapur, LOC Dimasa, LOC Hidimbapur | The name Dimapur is derived from the Dimasa words; Di means "water", ma means "large" and pur (sanskrit word) means "city", translating to "Big-river-city", associated with the meaning of "Kachari" which is "people of the river valley" and after the river which flows through it (Dhansiri).There are two accounts of the way in which Dimapur got its name: many writers are of the opinion that the name 'Dimapur' was derived from Dimasa Kachari words Di-meaning water, Ma-meaning big and Pur-meaning city or township in the Dimasa dialect; while others contend that Dimapur is a corruption of Hidimbapur, meaning the city of Hidimbi (of Mahabharata fame) - the rakshasi-turned-woman whose marriage to the Pandava prince Bhima led to the birth of Ghatotkacha, which was the Hindu lineage created for Dimasa rulers by the Brahmin pandits at Khaspur. According to the second theory, the name Hidimbapur is conjectured to have been abbreviated to Dimbapur and subsequently to have lost a consonant to become Dimapur. It is to be noted that Dimasa Kachari Kingdom was at one point of time names as "Heramba Kingdom" In the Ahom Chronicles, Dimapur Is referred to sometimes as Che-din-chi-pen (town-earth-burn-make) meaning ‘brick town’ and its rulers as Timisa (distorted word for Dimasa). | Dimapur Etymology |
LOC Dong - siri, LOC Dimapur, LOC Dhansiri | Situated on the banks of the Dhansiri (originally known as Dong-siri meaning a ravine of peaceful habitation), Dimapur was described as the 'Brick City' by the European scholars and by the Ahoms. | Dimapur History |
LOC Dilao Valley, LOC North East India, PER Mahamanipha, LOC Dimasa Kachari Kingdom, ORG Kacharis, LOC Dimapur, LOC Brahmaputra, LOC Dimasa Kingdom | In the 13th century, the city was the capital of the Dimasa Kingdom, which was once a powerful and predominant state in the now North East India (Brahmaputra/Dilao Valley). In the heart of the city there is an old relic of the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom which speaks about the once prosperous era.The city of Dimapur is said to have been founded by a Kachari king Mahamanipha (1330 and 1370 A.D.) and it remained as the capital of the Kacharis until it was captured by the Ahoms in 1536 A.D. | Dimapur Medieval period |
LOC Kohima, LOC British India, ORG Japan, LOC South East Asia, LOC Dimapur, LOC Burma, LOC Imperial | During World War II, Dimapur was the centre of action between British India and Imperial Japan. It was the staging post for the Allied offensive. The Japanese could reach Kohima where a siege was laid. Allied reinforcement came through Dimapur by rail and road for the push against the Japanese. An airport at Dimapur was also in use for supplies to the allied forces in Burma. The battle for Kohima about 77 km from Dimapur is considered the turning point for the Japanese retreat from South East Asia. | Dimapur World War II |
LOC Nagaland, LOC British of India, LOC Assam Province, ORG Railways, LOC Dimapur, LOC Naga Hills District | In 1918, Dimapur was leased to then Naga Hills District (Now Nagaland) by then erstwhile Assam Province of British of India for 30 years for construction of Railways lines (unclear from which district). In 1963, it was again leased to now state of Nagaland for 99 years. There is controversy surrounding this claim, as both state governments have not come forward to comment on the matter. | Dimapur Assam lease Dimapur to Nagaland |
LOC Dimapur Railway Station, LOC Hong Kong Market | On 2 October 2004, two powerful bombs were set off—one at the Dimapur Railway Station and the other at the Hong Kong Market killing 30 and injuring over 100 others. | Dimapur 2004 Dimapur bombings |
LOC Nagaland, LOC Dimapur, LOC Brahmaputra River, LOC Dhansiri River | Dimapur is located in the southwest of Nagaland. The vast majority of this area is flat with the Dhansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River flowing east of the city. | Dimapur Geography |
LOC Dimapur | Dimapur is hot and humid in summers and moderately cold in winters. | Dimapur Climate |
LOC India, ORG Town Committee, ORG Mini India, LOC dhansiri, LOC Dimapur | According to the 2011 census, the city-population of the old Town Committee area (up to the old dhansiri bridge) at 122,834. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Dimapur has an average literacy rate of 86% male literacy is 88% and, female literacy is 84%. In Dimapur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Unlike other places in the state, this city has a heterogeneous mix of people from all over India, and for which it is also known as "Mini India".Besides the dominant Naga ethnic groups, who comprise about 50% of the city's population, other prominent groups include Bengalis, Assamese, Oriyas, Nepalese, Biharis, Meiteis, Marwaris, Punjabis and also Tamils, Telugus and Keralites. In the last two decades Tibetan traders have also settled in the city. | Dimapur Demographics |
Christianity is the most followed religion in the city making up 45.10% of the city's population, closely followed by Hinduism at 41.11%.
Islam is followed by 11.21%, Jainism by 1.73%, Buddhist by 0.48% and Sikhs by 0.19% respectively. | Dimapur Religion |
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PER Ahom, LOC Dimapur City, LOC Nagaland, PER Phulchand Sethi, PER Udayram Chabra, LOC Clock Tower, PER Mangilal Chabra, PER Motilal Patni, LOC Circular Road, LOC Kachari Rajbari, LOC North - East, LOC Dimapur City Tower, PER Jethmal Sethi, PER Kanhaiyal Sethi, LOC Dimapur, PER Subhkaran Sethi, LOC Dimapur Jain Temple, PER Chunnilal Kishanlal Sethi | Ruins of Kachari Rajbari
Although is left in ruins after centuries of abandonment, after facing conflict with the Ahom King in 18th century and with the settlement of township occupying almost half of its former glorious fortress, is still a national heritage site. It signifies great historical importance for the region of North-East. It also gives great value to the state of Nagaland.
Dimapur City TowerThe Dimapur City Tower is a major landmark of the city. It is located at Circular Road in the heart of Dimapur. Also known as the Clock Tower, the tower is decorated with Christmas Lights during the Christmas season.
Dimapur Jain Temple
The Dimapur Jain Temple was built in 1947. The temple has some intricate glass work. The temple is considered very auspicious by the people of Dimapur. The temple was built by the tireless effort of Shri Jethmal Sethi, Shri Phulchand Sethi, Shri Udayram Chabra, Shri Chunnilal Kishanlal Sethi, Shri Kanhaiyal Sethi, Shri Mangilal Chabra, Motilal Patni, Subhkaran Sethi and other Jain families present in Dimapur at that time. | Dimapur Religious and historical sites |
LOC Niathu Resort, LOC Noune Resort, ORG Agri Expo, LOC Stone Park, LOC Hazi Park, LOC Chümoukedima District, LOC Kali Temple, LOC Nagaland Science Centre, LOC Triple Falls, LOC Nagaland Zoological Park, LOC Aqua Mellow Park, LOC Shiv Mandir, LOC Dimapur, LOC Nagaland Science Center, LOC Green Park | Dimapur has several places where tourist can visit such as Nagaland Science Center, Stone Park, Hazi Park, Shiv Mandir and Kali Temple. The Nagaland Zoological Park, Green Park, Niathu Resort, Noune Resort, The Triple Falls, Nagaland Science Centre, Aqua Mellow Park and Agri Expo site in the neighbouring Chümoukedima District can be easily accessible from Dimapur. | Dimapur Parks and other highlights |
LOC Guwahati, LOC Dibrugarh, LOC Aoyimti, LOC Chümoukedima District, LOC Mile, LOC Imphal, LOC Dimapur Airport, LOC Dimapur, LOC Kolkata | Dimapur is served by the Dimapur Airport located at 3rd Mile (AH1), Chümoukedima District. It is the only civil airport in the state and operates routes to Kolkata,
Guwahati, Imphal, and Dibrugarh.
There are plans for expansion of the airport to meet international norms by buying land at Aoyimti village. | Dimapur Airport |
LOC India | Asian Highway 1
Asian Highway 2
NH 29: National Highway 29 (India)
NH 129: National Highway 129 (India)
NH 129A: National Highway 129A (India) | Dimapur Highways passing through Dimapur |
LOC Guwahati, LOC Chandigarh, LOC Dibrugarh, LOC Lumding, LOC Amritsar, LOC Patna, LOC Chennai, LOC New Delhi, ORG Northeast Frontier Railway, LOC Dimapur, LOC Kolkata, LOC Bangalore | Dimapur has direct train services to cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, Patna, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Dibrugarh and Chennai from the Dimapur railway station. The station is categorised as an A category railway station which lies on the Lumding-Dibrugarh section under the Lumding railway division of Northeast Frontier Railway. | Dimapur Railway |
LOC Dimapur District Sports Council Stadium, LOC Nagaland State Stadium | The Dimapur District Sports Council Stadium is multi-purpose sports stadium in the city while the Nagaland State Stadium is another multi-disciplinary sports stadium currently under construction. | Dimapur Sports |
LOC Hotel Acacia, LOC Nagaland, LOC National Highway 29, LOC Dimapur, LOC Hotel Saramati, LOC Hotel Lake Shiloi | Dimapur is the commercial centre of Nagaland. It also acts as a transit hub for trading goods brought in from trains at Dimapur railway station and by road via National Highway 29 to other parts of Nagaland. Many private and central banks are also located in the city. Some major hotels are Hotel Acacia (3-star hotel), Hotel Saramati, Hotel Lake Shiloi among many others. | Dimapur Economy |
LOC Central Plaza, LOC GS Road, LOC Dimapur District, LOC Notun Bosti, LOC Bank, LOC AH - 1, LOC Dimapur, LOC New Market, LOC Jasokie Market, LOC Ganeshnagar, LOC Chümoukedima, LOC Hong, LOC KL Sethi Market Complex, LOC Nagaland, LOC China, LOC Burma, ORG Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Limited, ORG AFSEZ, LOC Purana Bazaar, LOC India, LOC HongKong, LOC Thailand, ORG Agro & Food Processing Special Economic Zone | A number of shopping centers and markets have sprung up in Dimapur, with the HongKong Market, Central Plaza, New Market, Bank colony (Super Market Area) and Circular and NL roads serving as the main commercial areas in the city. The Complexes and shopping centres have sprung up to Notun Bosti.The stretch from Purana Bazaar to Chümoukedima along the AH-1 is also rapidly developing into commercial areas.The city's Hong Kong Market is well known for imported goods from Thailand, China, and Burma and is the main Shopping Attraction for Tourists visiting Nagaland. The wholesale foodgrain items are available at KL Sethi Market Complex, Jasokie Market, etc. at GS Road, Dimapur.The Agro & Food Processing Special Economic Zone (AFSEZ) at Ganeshnagar under Dimapur District in Nagaland is one of the few exclusive Agro Food Products SEZ in India. It is developed by state-run Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Limited. | Dimapur Commerce |
ORG Unity College Pranabananda Women ' s College Cornerstone College Ngullie Memorial College, ORG St. John College, ORG Public College of Commerce Salesian College of Higher Education Sakus Mission College, ORG Trinity Theological College, ORG School of Engineering & Technology, ORG Dimapur Government College, ORG Nagaland University Yemhi Memorial College | Dimapur Government College
Public College of Commerce
Salesian College of Higher Education
Sakus Mission College
Trinity Theological College
Unity College
Pranabananda Women's College
Cornerstone College
Ngullie Memorial College
School of Engineering & Technology, Nagaland University
Yemhi Memorial College
St. John College | Dimapur Colleges |
ORG Don Bosco, ORG King David School, ORG Greenwood School, ORG St. John Higher, LOC Delhi, LOC Kushiabill, ORG Holy Cross, ORG N. N. Nagi School Pranab Vidyapith, ORG Living Stone Foundation, ORG Assembly Of God, ORG Little Star | Delhi Public School
Assembly Of God Higher Secondary School
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
Greenwood School
Holy Cross School
Little Star Higher Secondary School
Living Stone Foundation Higher Secondary School
N. N. Nagi School
Pranab Vidyapith Higher Secondary School
St. John Higher Secondary Residential School
King David School, Kushiabill | Dimapur Schools |
PER Razhukhrielie Kevichüsa, PER Phulchand Sethi, PER Kihoto Hollohon Yepthomi, PER Zhokhoi Chüzho, PER Alobo Naga, PER Zuboni Hümtsoe, PER Tubu Kevichüsa, PER Kevichüsa Angami, PER Chalie Kevichüsa | Kevichüsa Angami (1903–1990), Politician
Zhokhoi Chüzho, Actor
Zuboni Hümtsoe (1990–2017), Entrepreneur
Chalie Kevichüsa (1943–1992), Journalist
Razhukhrielie Kevichüsa (1941–2022), Bureaucrat and Musician
Tubu Kevichüsa (1948–1996), Nationalist Leader
Alobo Naga, Musician
Phulchand Sethi (1911–1976), Businessperson
Kihoto Hollohon Yepthomi (1932–2021), Politician | Dimapur Notable people |
ORG Down - with - Imperialism Union, LOC Diu Diu Island, LOC Bangladesh, ORG US Department of Defense, LOC Germany, ORG Dresden International University, ORG DIU, LOC Nagar Haveli, LOC Dadra, PER JoJo, LOC Diu, LOC Croatia, LOC India Diu, LOC Arabian Sea Diu, ORG Divisional Intelligence Unit, LOC Denmark, LOC North Korea, LOC Diu Airport, ORG Daffodil International University, PER Kim Il - sung, LOC Diu Diu Head, ORG Defense Innovation Unit, PER Buth Diu, LOC India, ORG Dresden University, LOC Daman, ORG Dubrovnik International University, ORG Dansk Interlingua Union | Diu may refer to:
Diu, India, a city in Diu district in the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, India
Diu district, part of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Diu Island, an island and part of Diu district
Daman and Diu, former union territory of India, now part of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Diu Head, a headland in the Arabian Sea
Diu (Cantonese), a Cantonese profanity
Buth Diu (died 1972), Sudanese politicianDIU may refer to:
Dansk Interlingua Union, an organization that promotes Interlingua in Denmark
Defense Innovation Unit, a US Department of Defense organization
Diplôme interuniversitaire, a French degree
Diu Airport, in Diu, India, IATA code: DIU
Divisional Intelligence Unit, police intelligence at the divisional level
Down-with-Imperialism Union, a union formed by Kim Il-sung, president of North Korea
Dresden International University, part of Dresden University in Germany
Dubrovnik International University in Croatia
Diamond Is Unbreakable, the fourth part of manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Daffodil International University in Bangladesh | Diu Introduction |
LOC Mathura, PER Krishna, ORG of India, LOC Bhadrapada, LOC Kurukshetra, LOC Dwarka Kingdom, LOC Gomti, LOC Barsana, LOC Western India, LOC Government, PER Adi Shankaracharya, LOC Puri, LOC Chardham, LOC Dwarka, LOC Govardhan, LOC Devbhumi Dwarka, LOC Okhamandal Peninsula, LOC Gokul, LOC Gujarat, LOC Gulf of Kutch, LOC India, LOC Dwarkadhish Temple, LOC Sapta Puri, LOC Vrindavan, LOC Arabian Sea | Dwarka (pronunciation ) is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in Western India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch facing the Arabian Sea. Often identified with the Dwarka Kingdom, described in the Bhagavata Purana as the ancient kingdom of Krishna and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat.Dwarka has the Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Krishna, which is one of four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites collectively called the Chardham, which were founded by Adi Shankaracharya (686–717 AD) at the four corners of the country, was established as a monastic center and it forms part of the Dwarka temple complex. Dwarka is also one of the seven-most-ancient religious cities (Sapta Puri) in India.
Dwarka is part of the "Krishna pilgrimage circuit" which includes Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Kurukshetra and Puri. It's one of 12 heritage cities across the country selected under the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme of the Government of India to develop civic infrastructure.The city has a hot, arid climate with a 16-day rainy season. It had a population of 38,873 in 2011. The main festival of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in Bhadrapada (August–September). | Dwarka Introduction |
LOC Rukmini Devi Temple, LOC Mathura, PER Krishna, PER Jarasandha, LOC Dwarkamati, LOC Kaushathali, LOC Bet Dwarka, PER Adi Shankaracharya, PER Mahmud Begada, LOC Dwarkavati, LOC Mokshapuri, LOC Dwarka, LOC Magadh, LOC Sharada Matha, LOC Saurashtra, LOC Gujarat, LOC Dwarkadhish Temple, PER Kansa, PER Uugrasena, LOC Gomti Ghat, LOC Dwaraka maţha | Dwarka is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. The city's name literally means gateway. Dwarka has also been referred to throughout its history as "Mokshapuri", "Dwarkamati", and "Dwarkavati". It is mentioned in the ancient prehistoric epic period of the Mahabharata. According to legend, Krishna settled here after he defeated and killed his uncle Kansa at Mathura. This mythological account of Krishna's migration to Dwarka from Mathura is closely associated with the culture of Gujarat. Krishna is also said to have reclaimed 12 yojanas or 96 square kilometres (37 sq mi) of land from the sea to create Dwarka.Dwarka was established as the capital in Saurashtra by the Vedic Indians during the Puranaic. The Yadavas, who had migrated from Mathura, established their kingdom here when the city was known as "Kaushathali". It was during this period that the city underwent rebuilding and was named Dwarka. A friendly population of natives also prompted Krishna to settle at Dwarka when he decided, after fighting Jarasandha, the king of Magadh, to retreat from Mathura. The kingdom, also known as the Yaduvanshi empire, was established by Uugrasena, father of Kansa the then ruler and later Krishna flourished and extended its domain. It is said that Krishna conducted the administration of his kingdom from Dwarka while residing with his family in Bet Dwarka. The city's Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Krishna was originally built around 2,500 years ago, but was destroyed by Mahmud Begada rulers and subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century. The temple is also the location of Dwaraka maţha, also called Sharada Matha/Peeth and "western peeth", one of the four peeths (Sanskrit: "religious center") established by Adi Shankaracharya. As an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Dwarka has several notable temples, including Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomti Ghat, and Bet Dwarka. There is also a lighthouse at the land end point of Dwarka. | Dwarka Puranic traditions |
ORG Maitraka, LOC India, PER Vallabhi, ORG Archaeological Survey of India, PER Simhaditya, LOC Arabian Sea, LOC Bet Dwarka, LOC Dwarka, PER Varahdas | Archaeological investigations at Dwarka, both on shore and offshore in the Arabian Sea, have been performed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The first investigations carried out on land in 1963 revealed many artefacts. Excavations done at two sites on the seaward side of Dwarka brought to light submerged settlements, a large stone-built jetty, and triangular stone anchors with three holes. The settlements are in the form of exterior and interior walls, and fort bastions. From the typological classification of the anchors it is inferred that Dwarka had flourished as a port during the period of the Middle kingdoms of India. Coastal erosion was probably the cause of the destruction of what was an ancient port.Dwarka is mentioned in the copper inscription dated 574 AD of Simhaditya, the Maitraka dynasty minister of Vallabhi. He was the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka. The nearby Bet Dwarka island is a religious pilgrimage site and an important archaeological site of the Late Harappan period, with one thermoluminescence date of 1570 BC. | Dwarka Archaeology |
LOC Barake, PER Adi Shankaracharya, LOC Palitana, ORG Shankaracharya, LOC Gulf of Kanthils, PER Garulaka Simhaditya, LOC Baraca, LOC Erythraean Sea, PER Nrushinhaashrma, LOC Dwarka, PER Ptolemy, PER Varahdas | An epigraphic reference ascribed to Garulaka Simhaditya, the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka, is inscribed on a copper plate dated to 574 AD, found in Palitana. The Greek writer of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea referred to a place called Baraca, which has been interpreted as present-day Dwarka. A reference made in Ptolemy's Geography identified Barake as an island in the Gulf of Kanthils, which has also been inferred to mean Dwarka.One of the four dhams (religious seats), which were founded by Adi Shankaracharya (686–717 AD) at the four corners of the country, was established as a monastic centre and it forms part of the Dwarka temple complex. In 885 AD, the temple was renovated by Nrushinhaashrma, head of the Shankaracharya pitha (centre). | Dwarka Early history |
PER Devasee Thakar, LOC Okhamandal, PER Turk Aziz, LOC Bet Dwarka, PER Valjee Thakar, PER Rukmini, PER Gaikwad, PER Shankaracharya, PER Mahmud Begada, PER Mohammad Shah, LOC Sudama Setu, LOC Dwarkadhish, LOC Dwarka, LOC Panch Peer, LOC Jagat Mandir, PER Donovan, PER Karasan Thakar, PER Vallabha Acharya, LOC Jamnagar, PER Gaekwad, LOC Ladva, PER Khanderao, PER Savitri, LOC Dwarakadhisa, LOC Gujarat, ORG Government of India, PER Nathu Thakar, PER Virajee Thakar, LOC Porbander, LOC Gomti River, LOC Baroda, LOC Kutch, LOC Dwarakadheesh Temple, LOC Panchkui | In 1241, Mohammad Shah invaded Dwarka and damaged the temple. During this battle, five Brahmins (Virajee Thakar, Nathu Thakar, Karasan Thakar, Valjee Thakar, and Devasee Thakar) fought against him, died, and were honoured as martyrs. A shrine was built near the temple in their honour and is known as "Panch Peer", which is a name of Muslim origin.
In 1473 the Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada sacked the city and destroyed the temple of Dwarka. The Jagat Mandir or the Dwarakadhisa temple was later rebuilt. Vallabha Acharya retrieved an idol of Dwarkadhish, which was revered by Rukmini. He hid it in a stepwell, known as Savitri vav, during the Muslim invasion, before moving it to Ladva village. In 1551, when Turk Aziz invaded Dwarka, the idol was shifted to the island of Bet Dwarka.
Dwarka, along with the Okhamandal region, was under the rule of Gaekwad of Baroda state during the Indian rebellion of 1857. A war broke out at Okhamandal in 1858 between the local Vaghers and the British. The Vaghers had won the battle and ruled until September 1859. Later, after a joint offensive of the British, the Gaekwads, and other princely state troops, the Vaghers were ousted in 1859. During these operations, led by Colonel Donovan, the temples at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka suffered damage and were looted. A complaint of atrocities by the British was made by the local people of Jamnagar, Porbander, and Kutch, which led to their restoration. In 1861, Dwarakadheesh Temple was renovated by Maharaja Khanderao and the British, who refurbished the shikara. Maharaja Gaikwad of Baroda added a golden pinnacle to the shikara in 1958 during a refurbishment by Shankaracharya of Dwarka. Since 1960, the temple has been maintained by the Government of India.The Sudama Setu, a bridge over the Gomti River connecting mainland Dwarka with Panchkui island was opened in 2016. | Dwarka Middle Ages to present |
LOC Kathiawar, LOC Devbhoomi Dwarka, LOC Bhavda, LOC Saurashtra, LOC Okhamandal Peninsula, LOC Mul - Gomti, LOC Gomti River, LOC Arabian Sea, LOC Gulf of Kutch, LOC Dwarka | Dwarka, at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula, is on the right bank of the Gomti River which rises from the Bhavda village at a place known as Mul-Gomti, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east. It is now under the newly formed district of Devbhoomi Dwarka at the western end of the Saurashtra (Kathiawar) peninsula, facing the Arabian Sea. The Gomti River was a harbor until the 19th century. | Dwarka Geography |
LOC Dwarka, LOC Holdridge | According to the Köppen-Geiger classification, Dwarka has a subtropical desert/low-latitude arid hot climate. The Holdridge life zones system of bio-climatic classification identifies Dwarka in or near the subtropical thorn woodland biome. The average annual rainfall is 403 millimetres (15.9 in) spread over a rainy period of 16 days with rainfall limited to the months of June to September; the average maximum temperature is 30 °C (86 °F) with a record high of 42.7 °C (108.9 °F) and an average minimum temperature of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43.0 °F); the average annual relative humidity is 72%, with a maximum of 80%. | Dwarka Climate |
LOC Dwarka | As of the 2011 Census of India, Dwarka had a population of 38873 (as per Census 2011, the population reported is 38,873). Males constitute 20,306 of the population, and females constitute 18,567. Dwarka has an average literacy rate of 75.94%, lower than the national average of 78.03%; the male literacy rate is 83%, and the female literacy rate is 68.27%. 11.98% of the population is under six years of age. | Dwarka Demographics |
ORG TPREL, ORG AES Saurashtra Windfarms Pvt Ltd, ORG ASW, ORG Sharda Peeth, ORG Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha, ORG Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd, LOC Okha, LOC Bet Dwarka, LOC Dwarka | Most of the revenue of Dwarka is derived from tourism, due to it being a site for pilgrims. It is a producer of agricultural produce such as millets, ghee (clarified butter), oilseeds, and salt, which are transported from its port. A long-term development plan was proposed in 2011 with investment of ₹830 million (US$10 million) to refurbish the city of Dwarka and to build a bridge connecting the city with Okha and Bet Dwarka. A wind farm power generation of 39.2 MW, operated near Dwarka by the AES Saurashtra Windfarms Pvt Ltd (ASW), is now run by Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL). Dwarka's industrial activity mainly centres around cement production. Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha is an educational society sponsored by the Sharda Peeth, Dwarka which runs an arts college in Dwarka. | Dwarka Economy |
LOC Rukmini Devi Temple, PER Krishna, LOC Harigraha, PER Jagat Singh Rathore, PER Lakshmi, LOC Gomati temple, PER Rukmini, PER Vasishta, PER Vishnu, PER Adi Shankaracharya, PER Samudra, LOC Chakra Narayana, LOC Samudra Narayana, LOC Dwarka, LOC Sangam Narayana, PER Dwarkadeesh, PER Gomati, PER God of the Sea, LOC Sharada Matha, LOC Jagat Mandir, LOC Dvaraka Pitha, LOC Dwarakadish temple, PER Saraswati, LOC Dwarakadhisa Temple, LOC Nijamandira, LOC Gomti Ghat, LOC Gomti River, LOC Vaishnava | Considered a holy city, Dwarka is well known for its temples and as a pilgrimage centre for Hindus. The Dwarakadhisa Temple, also called Jagat Mandir, located in the heart of Dwarka, is a Vaishnava temple. It was built by Raja Jagat Singh Rathore, hence it is called Jagat Mandir. The temple, facing west, is at an elevation of 12.19 metres (40.0 ft) above mean sea-level. It is conjectured that this temple location is 2,500 years old and is where Krishna built his city and a temple. However, the existing temple is dated to the 16th century. It is a five-storied edifice built over 72 pillars (a sandstone temple with 60 pillars is also mentioned). The temple spire rises to a height of 78 metres (256 ft), and a very large flag with symbols of the sun and moon is hoisted on it. The temple layout consists of a garbhagriha (Nijamandira or Harigraha) and an antarala (an antechamber). The main deity deified in the sanctum is Dwarkadeesh, which is known as the Trivikrama form of Vishnu and is depicted with four arms.The Dwarakadhisa Temple is also the location of Dvaraka Pitha, also called Sharada Matha/Peeth and "western peeth"), one of the four peeths (Sanskrit: "religious center") established by Adi Shankaracharya.
Gomti Ghat consists of steps leading to the Gomti River, which is also a holy place for pilgrims to take a dip in the river, before visiting Dwarakadish temple. The ghat has a number of small shrines dedicated to the Samudra (God of the Sea), Saraswati and Lakshmi. Other notable temples in the ghat area include the Samudra Narayana (Sangam Narayana) temple, which is at the confluence of the Gomti River with the sea, the Chakra Narayana temple where there is a stone with an imprint of a chakra as a manifestation of Vishnu, and the Gomati temple, which has an idol of the river goddess Gomati that is said to have been brought to earth by the sage Vasishta.The Rukmini Devi Temple, dedicated to Rukmini, Krishna's chief queen, is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away from Dwarka. The temple is said to be 2,500 years old, but in its present form it is estimated to belong to the 12th century. It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main image of Rukmini. Carved naratharas (human figures) and carved gajatharas (elephants) are depicted in panels at the base of the tower.Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poetical illustration The Sacred Shrines of Dwarka., to an engraving of William Purser's painting shown above (painting of the late 1820s), says little of the temples themselves but does advocate and praise religious tolerance. It was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837. | Dwarka Temples |
LOC Dwarkadhish Temple, PER Shiva, LOC Nagesvara Jyortirlinga | Ancient Shiva temple, Nagesvara Jyortirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and only 16 Km from Dwarkadhish Temple. | Dwarka Nagesvara Jyotirlinga |
LOC Gopi Chandan, LOC Gopi Talab, LOC Gopi, LOC Dwarka Point, LOC Bet Dwarka, LOC Dwarka | There is a lighthouse at the Dwarka Point on the Dwarka peninsula, which provides a panoramic view of the city. It is a fixed light situated 70 feet (21 m) above the sea level, and the light is visible over a distance of 10 miles (16 km). The lighthouse tower is 40 feet (12 m) in height and is 117 yards (107 m) away from the high water level in the sea. The radio beacon provided on this lighthouse tower is powered by a solar photovoltaic module.There is a lake or tank called Gopi Talab in the western part of the city.
A similar lake known for Gopi Chandan, meaning "sandal paste from Gopi", is situated in Bet Dwarka; this mud is found in the bed of the lake. This fragrant mud is applied as a sanctity symbol by devout Hindus on their forehead. | Dwarka Lighthouse and lake |
ORG Pushtimarg Sampradaya, PER Makardhwaja, PER Trivikrama, PER Krishna, LOC Arabian, LOC Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Mandir, PER Lakshmi, LOC Okha, LOC Bet Dwarka, PER Rukmini, PER The Almighty, PER Vishnu, PER Vallabhacharya, PER Jambavati, PER Hanuman, PER Devaki, PER Lakshmi Narayan, LOC Dwarka, LOC Dhwarkadhish Temple, PER Devi, PER Satyabhama, LOC Hanuman Dandi temple, PER Radha, PER Shiva, LOC Kshatriyas, PER Sudama, PER Shankhasura, PER Jethwa | Bet Dwarka, an island in the Arabian sea off the coast of Dwarka. Considered the original residence of Krishna, Bet Dwarka was the old port during the ancient times of Krishna before the Okha port was developed in Dwarka. The temple built here is credited to the religious Guru Vallabhacharya of the "Pushtimarg Sampradaya". Rice is the traditional offering here to the deity as it is believed that Sudama offered rice to his childhood friend Krishna. There are also smaller shrines on Bet Dwarka which are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and Devi. According to a legend, Vishnu killed the demon Shankhasura on this island. There are temples of Vishnu in the incarnation of matsya, or fish. Other shrines here are of Rukmini, Trivikrama, Devaki, Radha, Lakshmi, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Lakshmi Narayan, and many other gods.Hanuman Dandi temple is another notable temple located in Bet Dwarka, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from Dhwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka. The temple is deified with many images of Hanuman and his son Makardhwaja. The legend associated with the birth of a son to Hanuman, who is considered celibate, is that the sweat of Hanuman was consumed by a crocodile which then gave birth to a son named Makardhwaja. The Jethwa Rajput clan of Kshatriyas claim their descent from Makardhwaja.
Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Mandir is a temple dedicated to Shiva, and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (meaning radiant sign of The Almighty) is deified here in a subterranean cell. | Dwarka Bet Dwarka |
LOC Shivrajpur Beach, LOC Dwarka Railway Station | Shivrajpur Beach is 14.5 km from Dwarka Railway Station and is among eight Indian beaches to get the prestigious Blue Flag beach certification. | Dwarka Shivrajpur Beach |
ORG N. D. H. High School, PER Krishna, ORG Sharda Peeth, PER Lord Krishna, ORG Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha, LOC Dwarka, ORG P. V. M Girls ' High School | Janmashtami is the main festival that is celebrated during the months of August and September with great fervor and piety as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Krishna in prehistoric times. The festival is marked by several night long celebrations to mark the birth of Krishna. Bhajans and sermons are part of the festivities. At midnight there is reenactment of Krishna's childhood in the form of Garba and Raas dances. On this occasion, the local boys create a pyramid and a young boy in the costume of Krishna climbs up this pyramid to strike a pot holding butter, an act which Krishna had mischievously performed with the gopis. This is also known as "Dahi Handi" or Utlotsavam.
Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha is an educational society sponsored by the Sharda Peeth, which runs an arts college in Dwarka. The city is also home to the N.D.H. High School and P.V.M Girls' High School. | Dwarka Culture |
ORG Adventure Sports Ltd, LOC Bet Dwarka, ORG Government of Gujarat, ORG ASL | The underwater ancient city off the coast of Bet Dwarka has been proposed to be developed as a scuba diving site. This project is a joint initiative of Adventure Sports Ltd (ASL) and the Government of Gujarat, with investment of ₹13 crore (US$1.6 million). This is believed to be the first effort anywhere in the world to utilise a submerged city for tourism. Water and beach sports are also being promoted by the state government, and there are proposals to further promote aero and submarine sports. | Dwarka Sports |
LOC Ahmedabad, LOC Jamnagar, LOC Dwarka, LOC Okha | The Dwarka railway station is on broad gauge railway line that runs from Ahmedabad to Okha at a distance of about 137 kilometres (85 mi) from Jamnagar. | Dwarka Train |
LOC Jamnagar Airport | Nearest Airport is Jamnagar Airport at 131 kms | Dwarka Air |
LOC Ahmedabad, LOC Rajkot, LOC Somnath | 217 kilometres (135 mi) away from Rajkot, 235 km from Somnath and 378 kilometres (235 mi) from Ahmedabad. | Dwarka Road |
LOC Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Somnath Temple | Nageshvara Jyotirlinga
Somnath Temple | Dwarka See Also |
PER Mahatma Gandhi, PER Le Corbusier, LOC Chandigarh, LOC India, PER H. K. Mewada, LOC Akshardham temple, PER Prakash M Apte, LOC Industrial corridor, LOC Gandhinagar, LOC Delhi, LOC Gujarat, LOC Sabarmati River, LOC Ahmedabad, LOC Mumbai | Gandhinagar (, Gujarati: [ˈgɑːndʱinəgəɾ] (listen)) is the capital of the state of Gujarat in India. Gandhinagar is located approximately 23 km north of Ahmedabad, on the west central point of the Industrial corridor between Delhi, the political capital of India, and Mumbai, the financial capital of India.
Gandhinagar lies on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, about 545 km (338 miles) north of Mumbai and 901 km (560 miles) southwest of Delhi.
The Akshardham temple is located in Gandhinagar. There was a determination to make Gandhinagar a purely Indian enterprise, partly because the state of Gujarat was the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. For this reason, the planning was done by two Indian town planners: Prakash M Apte and H. K. Mewada, who had apprenticed with Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. | Gandhinagar Introduction |
PER H. K. Mewada, PER Prakash M Apte, ORG Cornell University | The city was planned by Chief Architect H.K. Mewada, a Cornell University graduate, and his assistant Prakash M Apte. | Gandhinagar History |
LOC Gandhinagar, LOC India | According to the 2011 census of India, Gandhinagar had a population of 208,299. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Gandhinagar has an average literacy rate of 90%. Male literacy is 91%, and female literacy is 89%. In Gandhinagar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Over 95% of the population of Gandhinagar are Hindus. | Gandhinagar Demographics |
LOC Sabarmati River, LOC India, LOC Gujarat, LOC Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar has an average elevation of 81 metres (266 feet). The city sits on the banks of the Sabarmati River, in north-central-east Gujarat. The 20,543 km2 area around Gandhinagar is defined by Gujarat capital territory. Gandhinagar spans an area of 326 km2 (126 sq mi). The river frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water. Gandhinagar is India's tree capital With 54% green cover on its land area. | Gandhinagar Geography |
LOC Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar has a tropical wet and dry climate with three main seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. The climate is generally dry and hot outside of the monsoon season. The weather is hot to severely hot from March to June when the maximum temperature stays in the range of 36 to 42 °C (97 to 108 °F), and the minimum in the range of 19 to 27 °C (66 to 81 °F). It is pleasant in the winter days and quite chilling in the night during December to February. The average maximum temperature is around 29 °C (84 °F), the average minimum is 14 °C (57 °F), and the climate is extremely dry. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September. The average annual rainfall is around 803.4 mm (31.63 in). | Gandhinagar Climate |
ORG Indian Air force, LOC State of Bombay, PER Amit Shah, ORG Gujarat State Emergency Disaster Management, ORG Congress, LOC Gandhinagar, ORG BJP, LOC Gujarat, ORG Indian Army, PER Mahendrasinh Rana, ORG Lok Sabha, ORG Bharatiya Janata Party | On 1 May 1960, Gujarat was created out of the 17 northern districts of the former State of Bombay. These districts were further subdivided later on. There are 33 administrative districts in the state. Gandhinagar is a political hub for the state of Gujarat.Congress won the first municipal election in 2011. Mahendrasinh Rana became the first mayor of the city. The current Member of the Lok Sabha for Gandhinagar is Amit Shah from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Gandhinagar is also situated near the west command post of the Indian Army and Indian Air force and also has a command centre in the city.
Gandhinagar has recently developed the Gujarat State Emergency Disaster Management centre. | Gandhinagar Governance and politics |
LOC Ahmedabad, LOC Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, LOC Gandhinagar | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located in Ahmedabad is 18 km away from Gandhinagar, providing both domestic and international flights. | Gandhinagar Air |
LOC ADI, ORG MEMU, LOC Kalupur Ahmedabad, LOC India, LOC BG, LOC Kalol Junction, LOC Gandhinagar, LOC GNC, LOC Bandra, LOC Delhi, LOC Indore Junction, LOC Jaipur, LOC Ahmedabad Railway Station, LOC KLL, LOC Shanti, LOC Gandhinagar Capital, ORG Indian Railways, LOC Haridwar | Gandhinagar Capital railway station (GNC) is located in Sector 14. Many trains running on the western zones pass through Gandhinagar. Currently, there are five trains running from this station in which three are express trains and two are MEMU trains. Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath, Haridwar mail for Delhi and Haridwar and Shanti Express for Indore Junction BG are main express trains running through this station.
Ahmedabad Railway Station (ADI) in Kalupur Ahmedabad is the nearest rail junction (25 km away) which provides connectivity with all the major cities and towns of India. The Indian Railways transports are available for moving in northern India and eastern India from Kalol Junction railway station (KLL). | Gandhinagar Rail |
ORG GNLU, LOC Ahmedabad Metro, ORG Metro, LOC Gandhinagar, LOC GIFT City, LOC Ahmedabad, LOC Mahatma Mandir, LOC Motera | Under Phase II of the Ahmedabad Metro, total 22.8 km long network connecting Gandhinagar with Ahmedabad is being constructed. The North-South line of the Ahmedabad Metro is being extended from Motera station to Mahatma Mandir station. A branch line will connect GNLU station to GIFT City station. | Gandhinagar Metro |
PER Shiva, PER Lord, LOC India, LOC Nagar, LOC Uttarkashi, PER Ganga, LOC Gangotri, LOC Greater Himalayan Range, LOC Uttarakhand, LOC Bhagirathi, LOC Ganges | Gangotri is a town and a Nagar Panchayat (municipality) in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is 99 km from Uttarkashi, the main district headquarter. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi – the origin of the river Ganges. The town is located on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 3,100 metres (10,200 ft). According to popular Hindu legend, Goddess Ganga descended here when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. | Gangotri Introduction |
PER Amar Singh Thapa, LOC Ganga, LOC Dham, LOC Devprayag, LOC Harsil, LOC Gangotri Temple, LOC Gangotri Glacier, LOC Mukhba, PER Ganga, LOC Alaknanda, LOC Gangotri, LOC Gaumukh, PER Semwal, LOC Bhagirathi, LOC Ganges | Gangotri is one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. It is also the origin of the Ganges river and seat of the goddess Ganga. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. The original Gangotri Temple was built by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa. The temple is closed from Diwali day every year and is reopened on Akshaya Tritiya. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil. Ritual duties of the temple are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris. These pujaris hail from Mukhba village. | Gangotri Gangotri significance |
LOC Bhagiratha Shila, PER Bhagiratha, LOC Mukhba, PER Pandavas, PER Ganga, LOC Gangotri, PER Lord Shiva, LOC Bhagirathi | A temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagiratha worshipped Lord Shiva. According to Hindu culture, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagiratha's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Bhagiratha Shila is a sacred slab where king Bhagiratha meditated. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the great ‘Deva Yagna‘ here to atone the deaths of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. Hindus believe that performing the ancestral rites on the banks of Bhagirathi frees the spirit of the ancestor from the cycle of rebirth and a holy dip in its waters cleanses sins committed in the present also past births.The Gangotri temple opens on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya which falls in the month of May and closes on Yama Dwitiya or Bhai Dooj which falls in the month of November. The Gangotri temple remains closed for the rest of six months. The Goddess shifts to the village Mukhba during the winter months. In the month of May, Ganga Dussehra is celebrated with great fanfare as the day of the birth of Ganga. | Gangotri Gangotri Temple |
LOC Gangotri, LOC India | According to the 2011 census of India, there are total 47 families residing in Gangotri. The total population of Gangotri is 110 out of which 97 are males and 13 are females. The literacy rate of Gangotri is 99.1%. The entire population of Gangotri identifies as Hindu. | Gangotri Demographics |
LOC Gangotri |
Official website
Gangotri travel guide from Wikivoyage | Gangotri External Links |
LOC Himalayas, PER Thutob Namgyal, LOC Lhasa, LOC British India, LOC India, LOC Gangtok, LOC Lepchas, LOC British Empire, LOC Sikkimese, LOC Sikkim, LOC Tibet, LOC Calcutta, LOC Gangtok District, ORG Chogyal, LOC Kolkata, LOC Bhutia, LOC Enchey Monastery | Gangtok is a city, municipality, the capital and the largest populated place of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is also the headquarters of the Gangtok District. Gangtok is in the eastern Himalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The city's population of 100,000 are from different ethnicities of Sikkimese people such as Indian Gorkhas, Bhutia and Lepchas. Within the higher peaks of the Himalayas and with a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim's tourism industry.
Gangtok rose to prominence as a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840. In 1894, the ruling Sikkimese Chogyal, Thutob Namgyal, transferred the capital to Gangtok. In the early 20th century, Gangtok became a major stopover on the trade route between Lhasa in Tibet and cities such as Kolkata (then Calcutta) in British India. After India won its independence from the British 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. | Gangtok Introduction |
LOC Gangtok | The precise meaning of the name "Gangtok" is unclear, though most agree that the meaning is "hill cut". | Gangtok Etymology |
PER Thutob Namgyal, LOC Nathula, LOC India, PER Jawaharlal Nehru, LOC Gangtok, LOC Jelepla, LOC Sikkimese, LOC Sikkim, LOC Tibet, LOC Tumlong, ORG Chogyal, LOC Enchey Monastery | Like the rest of Sikkim, not much is known about the early history of Gangtok. The earliest records date from the construction of the hermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716. 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 to 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. 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. 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. The Nathula pass was finally opened to limited trade in 2006, fuelling hopes of economic boom.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. | Gangtok History |
LOC Singtam, LOC Himalayas, LOC Teesta, LOC Ranikhola, LOC Gangtok, PER Raj Bhawan, ORG Bureau of Indian Standards, LOC The Ridge, LOC Sikkim, LOC Mount Kanchenjunga, LOC Ranipul, LOC Roro Chu | Gangtok is located at 27.3325°N 88.6140°E / 27.3325; 88.6140 (coordinates of Gangtok head post office). It is in the lower Himalayas at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The town is on the side of a hill, with "The Ridge", 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. 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. Most kind roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them.
Most of Sikkim, including Gangtok, is underlain by Precambrian rocks which contain foliated phyllites and schists; slopes are therefore prone to frequent landslides. Surface runoff of water by natural streams (jhora) and man-made drains has contributed to the risk of landslides. 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.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. 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. Flowers such as sunflower, marigold, poinsettia and others bloom, especially in November and December. | Gangtok Geography |
LOC Gangtok | Gangtok has a monsoon-influenced subtropical 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. 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). In winter temperature averages between 4 °C (39 °F) and 7 °C (45 °F). Snowfall is rare and in recent times, Gangtok has received snow only in 1990, 2004, 2005 and 2020. Temperatures below freezing are also rare. 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 in fog during the monsoon and winter months. | Gangtok Climate |
LOC Lhasa, LOC Nathula, LOC India, LOC Gangtok, LOC Nathula Pass, LOC Sikkim, LOC Lal Market, LOC Tibet, LOC Mahatma Gandhi Marg | Gangtok is the main base for Sikkim tourism. 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.Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Market are prominent business areas and tourist spots in Gangtok.Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities. An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007, generating revenue of about ₹500 million (equivalent to ₹1.3 billion or US$16 million in 2020).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. The pass was reopened in 2006 and trade through the pass is expected to boost the economy of Gangtok. The Sikkim government is keen to open a Lhasa–Gangtok bus service via Nathula pass. Sikkim's mountainous terrain results in the lack of train or air links, limiting the area's potential for rapid industrial development. The government is the largest employer in the city, 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. 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. 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. 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.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. The goal of 100% organic was achieved in 2016. This achievement offers new export opportunities to grow the agriculture sector, to achieve premium prices and new opportunities for agritourism. | Gangtok Economy |
ORG PHED, ORG Vidhan Sabha, LOC East Sikkim, ORG GMC, ORG Lower House, ORG Urban Development and Housing Department, ORG SDF, ORG Gangtok Municipal Corporation, PER Inspector General of Police, PER Director General of Police, ORG Public Health Engineering Department, ORG Indian Parliament, ORG Sikkim High Court, LOC Rongyek jail, ORG UDHD, ORG Sikkim Democratic Front, LOC India, LOC Gangtok, LOC Sikkim, ORG High Court, ORG Union Government of India, ORG Government of Sikkim, ORG Lok Sabha | 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). 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.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. 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. Sikkim is known for its very low crime rate. Rongyek jail in Gangtok is Sikkim's only central jail.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. | Gangtok Civic administration |
LOC Jhora, ORG UDHD, ORG PHED, ORG Rural Management and Development Department of Sikkim, LOC Ranikhola, LOC Gangtok, LOC Jhoras, LOC Sikkim, ORG Border Roads Organisation, LOC Rateychu, LOC Teesta River, ORG Government of Sikkim, LOC Rateychu River, LOC Selep, LOC Roro Chu | 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, whereas building construction activities continue almost unrestrained in this city lacking proper land infrastructure. Most households are supplied by the central water system maintained and operated by the PHED. 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. 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. However, only the toilet waste is connected to the sewer while sullage is discharged into the drains. Without a proper sanitation system, the practice of disposing sewage through septic tanks and directly discharging into Jhoras and open drains is prevalent. 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. The estimated solid waste generated in Gangtok city is approximately 45 tonnes. Only around 40% of this is collected by UDHD, while the remainder is indiscriminately thrown into Jhora, streets and valleys. 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. | Gangtok Utility services |
LOC National Highway, LOC India, LOC Kalimpong, LOC Gangtok, ORG Sikkim Legislative assembly, LOC NH10, LOC West Bengal, LOC Siliguri, LOC Darjeeling | Taxis are the most widely available public transport within Gangtok. Most of the residents stay within a few kilometres of the town centre and many have their own vehicles such as two-wheelers and cars. The share of personal vehicles and taxis combined is 98% of Gangtok's total vehicles, a high percentage when compared to other Indian cities. City buses comprise less than one per cent of vehicles. 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) long cable car with three stops connects lower Gangtok suburbs with Sikkim Legislative assembly in central Gangtok and the upper suburbs.Gangtok is connected to the rest of India by an all-weather metalled highway, National Highway 10 (NH10), earlier known as National Highway 31A, which links Gangtok to Siliguri, located 114 km (71 mi) away in the neighbouring state of West Bengal. The highway also provides a link to the neighbouring hill station towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which are the nearest urban areas. Regular jeep, van and bus services link these towns to Gangtok. Gangtok is a linear city that has developed along the arterial roads, especially National Highway 31A. Most of the road length in Gangtok is of two lane undivided carriageway with footpath 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. | Gangtok Road |
LOC India, LOC Gangtok, LOC Rangpo, LOC NH10, LOC New Jalpaiguri Junction, LOC Sikkim, LOC West Bengal, LOC Siliguri, LOC Sevoke | The nearest railhead connected to the rest of India is New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station in Siliguri, 124 km (77 mi) from Gangtok via NH10. Work has begun on a broad-gauge railway link from Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, which is planned for extension to Gangtok. | Gangtok Rail |
LOC Pakyong Airport, PER Narendra Modi, LOC India, LOC Pakyong, LOC Northeastern Region, LOC Gangtok, LOC Sikkim, LOC Kolkata | Pakyong Airport is spread over 400 ha (990 acres) at Pakyong, about 35 km (22 mi) south of Gangtok. At 1,400 m (4,500 ft), it is one of the five highest airports in India, and also the first greenfield airport to be constructed in the Northeastern Region of India, the 100th operational airport in India, and the only airport in the state of Sikkim.The airport was inaugurated by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2018 and the first commercial flights from the airport began on 4 October 2018 between Pakyong and Kolkata. | Gangtok Air |
LOC India, LOC North East Presbyterian Church, LOC Anjuman Mosque, LOC Roman Catholic Church, LOC Gangtok, LOC East District, LOC Sikkim, LOC East Sikkim, ORG Gangtok Municipal Corporation | 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. 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. 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.Ethnic Nepalis, who settled in the region during British rule, comprise the majority of Gangtok's residents. Lepchas, native to the land, and Bhutias also constitute a sizeable portion of the populace. Additionally, a large number of Tibetans have immigrated to the town. Immigrant resident communities not native to the region include the Marwaris, Biharis and Bengalis.
Hinduism and Buddhism are the most significant religions in Gangtok. Gangtok also has a sizeable Christian population and a small Muslim minority. The North East Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Church and Anjuman Mosque in Gangtok are places of worship for the religious minorities. The town has not been communalised, having never witnessed any sort of inter-religious strife in its history. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim as well as Gangtok. 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. Other languages spoken in Gangtok include Bhutia (Sikkimese), Tibetan and Lepcha. | Gangtok Demographics |
LOC Holi, LOC India, LOC Paljor Stadium, LOC Dashain, LOC Saga, LOC Gangtok, PER Dalai Lama, LOC Tihar, LOC Tibet, ORG Bhutias, LOC Bhutan, LOC Loosong, LOC Nepal, LOC Bhumchu | 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.A popular food in Gangtok is the momo, 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, 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. 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.Football (soccer), cricket and archery are the most popular sports in Gangtok. 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. Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in the monasteries during the Tibetan new year. | Gangtok Culture |
LOC Lhasa, LOC Himalayan Zoological Park, LOC Do - drul Chorten, LOC Rumtek Monastery, ORG Nyingma, PER Ganpati, PER Hanuman, ORG Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, LOC Do - drul Chorten stupa, LOC Enchey monastery, PER Trulshik Rimpoché, LOC Ganesh Tok, LOC Tibet, LOC Hanuman Tok, LOC Tibetology Museum, ORG Kagyu order, LOC Rumtek, PER Karmapa, LOC Gangtok, LOC Sikkim, LOC Thakurbari Temple | A centre of Buddhist learning and culture, Gangtok's most notable Buddhist institutions are the Enchey monastery, the Do-drul Chorten stupa complex and the Rumtek Monastery. The Enchey monastery is the city's oldest monastery and is the seat of the Nyingma order. The two-hundred-year-old baroque monastery houses images of gods, goddesses, and other religious artefacts. In the month of January, the Chaam, or masked dance, is performed with great fanfare. The Do-drul Chorten is a stupa which was constructed in 1945 by Trulshik Rimpoché, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. Inside this stupa are complete set of relics, holy books, and mantras. Surrounding the edifice are 108 Mani Lhakor, or prayer wheels. The complex also houses a religious school.
The Rumtek Monastery on the outskirts of the town is one of Buddhism's most sacred monasteries. The monastery is the seat of the Kagyu order, one of the major Tibetan sects, and houses some of the world's most sacred and rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and religious objects in its reliquary. Constructed in the 1960s, the building is modelled after a similar monastery in Lhasa, Tibet. Rumtek was the focus of international media attention in 2000 after the seventeenth Karmapa, one of the four holiest lamas, fled Lhasa and sought refuge in the monastery.The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, better known as the Tibetology Museum, houses a huge collection of masks, Buddhist scriptures, statues, and tapestries. It has over two hundred Buddhist icons, and is a centre of study of Buddhist philosophy. The Thakurbari 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-known Hindu temples in the city. The Ganesh Tok and the Hanuman Tok, dedicated to the Hindu gods Ganpati and Hanuman and housing important Hindu deities, are located in the upper reaches of the city. The Himalayan Zoological Park exhibits the fauna of the Himalayas in their natural habitats. The zoo features the Himalayan black bear, red pandas, the barking deer, the snow leopard, the leopard cat, Tibetan wolf, masked palm civet and the spotted deer, amongst the others. Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens, near Rumtek, houses many species of orchid and as many as fifty different species of tree, including many oaks. | Gangtok City institutions |
ORG Damber Singh College, ORG Sikkim Manipal University, LOC Yang Yang, ORG Sikkim Government College, ORG Central Board of Secondary Education, ORG Indira Gandhi National Open University, ORG Holy Cross School, ORG District Institute of Education and Training and, ORG Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, ORG Sikkim University, ORG State Institute of Education, ORG Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, ORG Tashi Namgyal Academy, ORG Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, ORG Sikkim Government Law College, ORG Taktse International School, ORG National Institute of Open Schooling, LOC Gangtok, ORG Kendriya Vidyalaya, ORG Sikkim Judicial Academy, ORG Paljor Namgyal Girls School | 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, Paljor Namgyal Girls School, Holy Cross School, Taktse International School, Sikkim Judicial Academy, and Kendriya Vidyalaya.Colleges conferring graduate degrees include Sikkim Government College, Sikkim Government Law College and Damber Singh College. 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. 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. District Institute of Education and Training and State Institute of Education conduct teacher training programmes. | Gangtok Education |
ORG Sikkim Cable, ORG Nine FM, ORG Jio, LOC India, ORG AIR Gangtok, LOC Gangtok, ORG Doordarshan, ORG BSNL, ORG Dish TV, ORG Vodafone, ORG Nayuma, LOC Sikkim, ORG Airtel, ORG Doordarshan TV, ORG All India Radio, ORG Red FM, ORG Radio Misty | More than 50 newspapers are published in Sikkim. Multiple local Nepali and English newspapers are published, 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. The town also has a public library.The main service providers are Sikkim Cable, Nayuma, 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. 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. | Gangtok Media |
LOC Gaya | Gaya may refer to: | Gaya Introduction |
LOC Hodonín District, LOC Gaya, LOC Kyjov | Gaya (German and Latin), Kyjov (Hodonín District), a town | Gaya Czech Republic |
LOC Gayah, LOC Gaya | Gaya or Gayah, a town | Gaya Guinea |
LOC Gaya, LOC India, LOC Bihar Gaya Airport Bodh Gaya, LOC Gaya Gaya, LOC Bihar | Gaya, India, a city in Bihar
Gaya Airport
Bodh Gaya, a town in Bihar near Gaya
Gaya district, Bihar | Gaya India |
LOC Gaya, LOC Dosso, LOC Gaya Department, LOC Dosso Region, LOC Niger | Gaya, Niger, a city in the Dosso region
Gaya Department, a department of the Dosso Region | Gaya Niger |
LOC Nigeria, LOC Gaya, LOC Kano State | Gaya, Nigeria, a city in Kano State | Gaya Nigeria |
LOC Gaya Island, LOC Sabah, LOC Pulau Gaya | Pulau Gaya (Gaya Island), a sizeable Malaysian island near the coast of Sabah | Gaya Malaysia |
LOC South Gyeongsang, LOC Gaya, LOC Gaya Line, ORG Gaya, LOC Busan Gayasan National Park, LOC Geumgwan Gaya | Gaya confederacy, an ancient league of statelets on the Korean peninsula
Geumgwan Gaya, the ruling city-state of the Gaya confederacy during the Three Kingdoms Period
Gaya Line, a railway line serving Busan
Gayasan National Park, a national park in South Gyeongsang | Gaya South Korea |
LOC Gayá River | Gayá River | Gaya Spain |
PER Gaya Herrington | Gaya Herrington (born 1981), Dutch econometricist, sustainability researcher and activist | Gaya Forename |
PER Eiji Gaya, PER José Luis Gayà, PER Juan Antonio Gaya Nuño, PER Ramón Gaya, PER Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya | Eiji Gaya (born 1969), Japanese football player
Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya (born 1952), Nigerian politician and architect
Ramón Gaya (1910–2005), Spanish artist
José Luis Gayà (born 1995), Spanish footballer
Juan Antonio Gaya Nuño (1913–1976) was a Spanish art historian, author, teacher, and art critic. | Gaya Surname |
ORG Gaya Quartet, LOC Seediq | Gaya (plant), a genus of plants in the family Malvaceae
Gaya Quartet, an Azerbaijani singing group
Gaya language, the language of the Korean Gaya confederacy
Gaya (Seediq), law of the Seediq people
Gaya melon, a honeydew melon cultivar | Gaya Other uses |
LOC Portuguese India, LOC India, LOC North Western Ghats, LOC Portuguese Empire, LOC Margão, ORG National Commission on Population, LOC Panaji, LOC Deccan, LOC Goa, LOC Maharashtra, LOC Karnataka, LOC Vasco da Gama, LOC Arabian Sea, LOC Western Ghats, ORG Eleventh Finance Commission of India, LOC Konkan | Goa ( (listen)) is a state on the southwestern coast of India. It is situated within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea in the west. It is India's smallest state by area and fourth-smallest by population. Goa has the highest GDP per capita among all Indian states, two and a half times as high as the GDP per capita of the country as a whole. The Eleventh Finance Commission of India named Goa the best-placed state because of its infrastructure, and India's National Commission on Population rated it as having the best quality of life in India (based on the commission's "12 Indicators"). It is the third-highest ranking among Indian states in the human development index.Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is its largest city. The historic city of Margão in Goa still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first voyaged to the subcontinent in the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it soon thereafter, whereupon Goa became an overseas territory of the Portuguese Empire, part of what was then known as Portuguese India, and remained as such for about 456 years until it was annexed by India in 1961. Goa's official language, which is spoken by a majority of its inhabitants, is Konkani.
Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year because of its white-sand beaches, active nightlife, places of worship, and World Heritage-listed architecture. It also has rich flora and fauna because it lies very close to the North Western Ghats rainforests, one of the rare biodiversity hotspots of the world. | Goa Introduction |
LOC Gopakapuri, LOC Govem, LOC Mahassapatam, LOC Sindapur, LOC Bahmani, LOC Gopakapattam, ORG Estado da Índia, LOC Goa, LOC Sandabur, LOC Govapuri, LOC Gomantak, LOC Gopakapattana, PER Afonso de Albuquerque, LOC Gomanchala, LOC Bijapuri | After the Bahmani-Bijapuri city of Goa was captured by Afonso de Albuquerque in AD 1510, and made the capital of the Estado da Índia, the city gave its name to the contiguous territories.The origin of the city name "Goa" is unclear. In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names, such as Gomanchala, Gopakapattana, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Govem, and Gomantak. Other historical names for Goa are Sindapur, Sandabur, and Mahassapatam. | Goa Etymology |
LOC Fatorpa, LOC Aquem - Margaon, LOC Kajur, LOC Kazur, LOC Diwar, LOC Dabolim, LOC Usgalimal, LOC Sanguem, LOC Kushavati, LOC Shigao, LOC Mauxim, LOC Shimoga - Goa Greenstone Belt, LOC Goa, LOC Adkon, LOC Pilerne, ORG UNESCO, LOC Arli, LOC Maulinguinim, LOC India, LOC Mandovi - Zuari, LOC Western Ghats | Rock art engravings found in Goa are one of the earliest known traces of human life in India. Goa, situated within the Shimoga-Goa Greenstone Belt in the Western Ghats (an area composed of metavolcanics, iron formations and ferruginous quartzite), yields evidence for Acheulean occupation. Rock art engravings (petroglyphs) are present on laterite platforms and granite boulders in Usgalimal near the west flowing Kushavati river and in Kajur. In Kajur, the rock engravings of animals, tectiforms and other designs in granite have been associated with what is considered to be a megalithic stone circle with a round granite stone in the centre. Petroglyphs, cones, stone-axe, and choppers dating to 10,000 years ago have been found in various locations in Goa, including Kazur, Mauxim, and the Mandovi-Zuari basin. Recently these petroglyphs have been included in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
Evidence of Palaeolithic life is visible at Dabolim, Adkon, Shigao, Fatorpa, Arli, Maulinguinim, Diwar, Sanguem, Pilerne, and Aquem-Margaon. Difficulty in carbon dating the laterite rock compounds poses a problem for determining the exact time period.Early Goan society underwent radical change when Indo-Aryan and Dravidian migrants amalgamated with the aboriginal locals, forming the base of early Goan culture. | Goa Prehistory |