GANESH TOK GUIDE

Why Should I Visit

Sikkim is a vast canvas for any budding photographer and Ganesh Tok offers some of the most attractive views in the region. Situated at a height of 6,500ft, the circular viewing decks can get crowded on clear days. If you’re patient you will be rewarded with a panoramic view that is straight out of a painting. Tall pine trees, snow-capped mountains, swirling mists and the tiny roofs of Gangtok town cover a wide expanse, and it is not surprising that Ganesk Tok is a popular tourist attraction.

The Himalayan Zoological Park is nearby and can be a welcome change for the kids.

The tiny Ganesh temple, said to be one of the oldest Hindu shrines in Eastern Sikkim, draws a number of pilgrims who make their offerings and then spend a long time staring out at the snow-kissed mountains.

How Do I Get There

Ganesh Tok is 7 km from Gangtok town and the road is lined with Tibetan prayer flags making it a colourful journey. Your best option is to hire a taxi to and from the temple. There is a parking area nearby so this shouldn’t be too challenging a climb.

When Should I Land Up

The temple gates open at 6 a.m. and you should land up around 9 a.m. to get the best views. From March to June, spring through summer, Ganesh Tok is a watchtower in the skies that portrays Sikkim in a completely different light. The bird’s-eye-view of the region is only second to Hanuman Tok. Time flies as you stand on the viewing deck wishing you could stay longer in the magical land of Sikkim.

In the land of monasteries, Ganesh Tok offers something for the pilgrim as well as the traveller. If you want to go for a short morning ride from Gangtok town, this temple is where you should land up. There are quite a few food stalls in the vicinity where you can have a simple breakfast of egg on toast or gorge on sumptuous vegetable momos.