Char Dham, Sikkim, India
xSpread over the Solophuk hilltop 5km south of Namchi, the site of Char Dham is towered over by a massive 33m Shiva statue. The complex intends to bring together all revered Hindu pilgrimages from across India (albeit in the form of replicas), and is strewn with temples and pagodas built on an epic scale. A taxi here costs ₹700/500 for a return/one-way drop, and the Yatri Nivas guesthouse dishes out a superb thali (₹200) for lunch.
Apart from visiting these concrete behemoths (each of which enshrines sundry deities of the Hindu pantheon), there’s a 4D simulator show (₹50) that re-creates popular pilgrimages, airplane flights and car races for kids.
Visit India Epic India Route © Monika Newbound
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