Namchi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Namchi | |
  Namchi
|
|
| State - District(s) |
Sikkim - South Sikkim |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
- 1315 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
978 - |
| Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle |
- 737 126 - +03595 - SK-02 |
Namchi is the capital of the South Sikkim in the Indian state of Sikkim. The appellation Namchi means Sky (Nam) High (Chi) in Bhutia.
Namchi is situated at an altitude of 1,675 m (5500 feet) above sea level. It is situated at a distance of 78 km from the state capital Gangtok and 100 km from the town of Siliguri, the nearest railhead and airport. Namchi lies off the road between Melli and Jorethang. Namchi is well connected to other towns in Sikkim and West Bengal. Jeeps and buses regularly ply between Namchi to Gangtok, Pelling, Jorethang, Kalimpong and Siliguri.
Most of the people of Namchi are Buddhists. Languages spoken are Nepali, Hindi and English. Namchi is fast becoming a major tourist spot and pilgrimage centre. The Namchi monastery, Ralong monastery and Tedong Hill are important Buddhist pilgrimage centres. The world's largest statue (at 118 feet) of the Buddhist Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim is just on the hill opposite Namchi.
Near the town, Sikkim's sole tea estate — the Temi Tea Gardens is situated. The tea carries are premium the world over and costs around Rs. 200/- a kg. The tea is marked by its exotic odour and flavour.
In the month of February, the Namchi garden hosts it annual flower show. The flower show is the largest in Sikkim with flowers in a riot of colours. The prime attraction of this show is the display of exotic and rare orchids. Trekking and other peripatetic excursions are now being organised around Namchi.
One of the highlights of the town is the football stadium – the Baichung Stadium built by the Sikkimese government in honour of its most famous citizen, footballer Baichung Bhutia. Namchi is also the base oif the chief minister of sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling.
Historically, Namchi was the place where Pende Ongmoo, the trecherous princess who poisoned one of the Chogyals of Sikkim, was caught and killed for her deed!..Legend says here spirit still haunts the foothills of Ghurpisey...
[edit] Geography
Namchi is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 1315 metres (4314 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Namchi had a population of 978. Males constitute 59% of the population and females 41%. Namchi has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 73%. In Namchi, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
