Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Sikkim is a Himalayan wonderland known for its enchanting views attractive to the sightseer, the trekker, the mountaineer and a Buddhist. Gangtok the capital city with its legendry mountains, landscape narrates the marvelous work of the Creator. The state has many fine old monasteries rich with frescoes, religious paintings on silk and statues of the Buddha’s various incarnations. Located on a beautiful hilltop Sa-Ngor-Chotshog is a Tibetan refugee monastic institution established in 1961 by his Eminence Luding Khen Rimpoche, Head of Ngorpa, and sub-sect of the Sakya Order. This is the only monastery of the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. Presently, Sikkim has thrown up its gates to every interested visitor. Nestles close to Kanchenjunga above 6000 ft above sea level is Pemayangtse monastery, the second oldest monastery in Sikkim, which is the headquarters of the Nyingma sect. Many priceless antique idols are housed there including some magnificent sculptures. The icy cold waters of the rugged Teesta have a series of rapids with varying intensity and character. It offers one of the finest rafting stretches in the world.