Chardham at One Place
About the Temple
One of the most popular attractions of Sikkim, Solophok Chardham is an initiative by Shri Pawan Chamling, the Chief Minister of Sikkim to promote Eco and Village tourism, along with Religious Tourism. The site is equally popular amid national and internal tourists. It is said that Lord Shiva was born in Indrakeel (present day Sikkim) as Kirateshwar and so, he is highly worshipped by the locals as Lord Kirateshwar. A statue of Lord Kirateshwar, with a height of 16 and half feet can also be seen in the complex.
What to See
This wonderful Pilgrimage-cum-Cultural Centre has a huge 87 feet statue of Lord Shiva in its main
temple with a height of 108 feet. The statue has the Lord in a seated posture at the Solophok Hill. The centre also has replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas. In Hindu Dharma, Chardham yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages and it includes religious destinations—Dwarka, Puri, Badrinath and Rameshwarm. This site has replicas of all these destinations so that people can easily pay their homage.
This pilgrimage centre has been dedicated and designed to place Sikkim in the very conscience, heart and minds of the citizens of India and beyond. Apart from providing a unique religious and cultural ambience, the Pilgrimage-cum-Cultural Centre established on a grand scale hereafter ought to be a tourist attraction at the National as well as International level.
How to Reach
Namchi is 78 kms from Gangtok. It takes 3 to 4 hrs to reach there from Gangtok. One can hire a taxi to reach the place as the local drivers are well trained to drive in the region. Most of the roads remains closed during the months of July and August due to heavy rainfall and landslides. So, December is supposed to be the best time to visit the Chardham.
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