What better way to spend your first few days together, than to float dreamily about in a state of eternal bliss?Come, discover the state of Nirvana. Come to Sikkim.

Sikkim isn't just a state; it's a state of mind. A world where monasteries flourish on the hills and trade still thrives on the streets in Sunday Markets in every town. It's a cool, tranquil world in every sense of the word. Incidentally, the name Sikkim is derived from the words 'su khim', which means 'home of contentment'. And that's precisely what every visitor to this charming border state leaves with - a sense of inner peace.

The easiest way to get here is by driving up from New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri in West Bengal. Although Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is only a hundred kilometres from Siliguri, be prepared for a long, long drive. A thin sliver of road clings to the hillside, providing breathtaking views of the valley below as you ascend to a height of 5000 feet above sea level

"The first thing that you notice about Gangtok is that it seems to defy the forces of gravity."

The first thing that you notice about Gangtok is that it seems to defy the forces of gravity.

A room by the Himalayas

Most of the houses are precariously perched on the cliff-face, with their balconies and windows looking down onto the valley. In fact, you can actually enter a building at one level and leave it at another, lower down. The streets are lined with brightly lit shops, selling everything from alcohol to readymade garments. The weather is unpredictable. The traffic noise is overwhelming. Did someone mention Nirvana?

There's not too much to see in Gangtok, but its environs hold a treasure trove of surprises. Take Changu Lake, for example. The lake is only 36 Kilometres away from Gangtok, but distances here are deceptive in terms of the amount of time it takers to cover them. The road to Changu is steep, winding and almost washed away or covered in ice in many parts. It snakes its way perilously around the hillside, ascending almost 6500 feet in a 36 Kilometre stretch of hairpin bends. But all that is forgotten the moment you set eyes on the snow capped peaks, that stand as silent sentinels of the Indian border. .

"The snowcapped mountains coupled with the still, ice-covered lake, give the entire area an ethereal setting."

Situated at a height of 11, 500 feet, Changu Lake is a sight for sore eyes. The Lake is normally covered with a thick sheet of ice, except in summer, when the ice melts and the valley is covered with flowers of every imaginable hue. The rest of the year round, the snowcapped mountains coupled with the still, ice-covered lake, give the entire area an ethereal setting.

There are Yaks at the lake that can take you for a ride along the lakeside. They are docile animals with a thick layer of fur to keep them warm. So they can sit comfortably in the snow, just like most of us flop out on our sofas at home. And yes, they make perfect hand warmers too!

Pristine Changu Lake

Sikkim is also a trekker's paradise. Every travel agency will offer you a trekking tour ranging from 2 days to 15-days, depending on your requirements. In fact a number of agencies specialize in organizing treks leaving from Sikkim to areas within the state as well in neighboring states and even in Nepal and Bhutan. The agency completes all the formalities and everything is taken care of, including providing the unequipped trekker with the requisite equipment like tents, sleeping bags, back packs, etc. Even if you don't feel like trekking, just pick up some gear and spend a romantic night together under a starry sky, with only the sound of the wind whistling in your ears and the mountains for company. It'll be an experience both of you will never forget.

If nature has its own peaceful attractions around Gangtok, can man be far behind? Just four kilometres from the town, lies Rumtek, one of the world's most important monasteries. It is the international headquarters of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. White prayer flags fluttering on giant bamboo poles welcome you to the monastery complex, which consists of a prayer hall, monks' quarters and a centre for Buddhist Studies.

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