Souvenirs From Sikkim

:: Souvenirs from Sikkim ::
No holiday is complete without taking back souvenirs and there is plenty you can take back from Sikkim apart from memories of a great holiday! The many shopping stores offer you all kinds of goods.

But if you want something unique to take from Sikkim, visit the Government Institute of Cottage Industry and the many curio shops around town and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

You can buy canvas paintings and scrolls with local motifs, the ‘Tashi Tagey’ or the eight lucky signs, wooden dragon wall hangings, cloth bags, handmade paper products, Buddhist religious items and a host of other things.

You could also take home -

:: Carpets ::
Tibetan woollen carpets made of pure sheep wool woven with intricate designs and patterns maybe a little expensive but definitely worth the price.

:: Thankas ::
These are scrolls usually with religious depictions, represented by deities surrounded by followers and often contained within a mandala or magic circle. The ones by master artists are very expensive but you can also get cheaper versions in the many handicraft shops in town.

:: Choktses ::
These are small wooden ornate tables carved in traditional style. These can be conveniently folded and carried away.

:: Jewellery ::
The Dragon set is unique to Sikkim. Intricately carved in silver and gold and inlaid with precious stones these consist of finely designed dragons on earrings, pendants, bracelets and finger-rings. You can also buy other silver jewelry as well as precious stones from some shops in Gangtok.

:: Tea ::
The Temi Tea Estate in Sikkim grows excellent tea which is highly prized in the world market. Carry a few packets of Temi which is irresistibly flavoured by the mists and mountains of South Sikkim.

:: Large Cardamom or Bari Elaichi ::
Cardamom or Elaichi grows in abundance in Sikkim and costs about Rs 150/- a kilogram. A few hundred grams should be purchased.

:: Alpine Cheese ::
Made of pure cow milk this cheese has a sweet and fruity flavour. Take home some of this natural cheese which come in various sizes and is manufactured by the Sikkim Dairy Products [P] limited in technical collaboration with the Swiss.

:: Jams and Juices ::
Sikkim produces some excellent juices and jams at the Government Fruit Preservation Factory. Pick up some canned juices or bottles of orange and pineapple squash and the very popular Passion fruit juice. Or you could try out the orange marmalade and mixed fruit jam.

:: Sikkim Liquor & Liqueurs ::
Sikkim Fireball Special Brandy, a fruit based alcohol that has been matured for a long time and is uniquely packaged is a popular item sought by tourists. You can also buy the Sikkim Ginger Liqueur and the Sikkim Cardamom Liquer, both with a decidedly eastern taste. There are many other varieties of liquor available too.