Monasteries and shrines · Ganesh Tok
Ganesh Tok shrine and the view over Gangtok
Climb the short steps to the tiny Ganesh shrine, stoop through its doorway to offer a prayer, then stand on the terrace above the whole of Gangtok. A small, cheerful stop that works for every age.
Photo: Anjan Kumar Kundu · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The taxi drops you at the bottom of a few flights of steps hung with prayer flags. The climb takes three to five minutes. At the top, take off your shoes outside the shrine, which is so low and narrow that most adults have to bend almost double to go in. Inside is an image of Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, usually decorated with flowers and offerings.
Ganesh Tok is visited by Hindu and Buddhist Sikkimese alike, as well as by travellers from across India, and the mood is relaxed. Many people ring the bells as they leave. Offer a few coins or flowers if you wish, and keep the line moving when it is busy.
Then step out onto the terrace. Gangtok falls away below in a long ridge of buildings, and on clear days the Kangchenjunga range lines the north-west. A small kiosk sells tea and snacks. Late afternoon light from the west is soft and flattering, and children enjoy picking out their hotel among the rooftops.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Why is the Ganesh Tok shrine so small?
It was built on a narrow ridge-top rock with very little level ground, and the shrine room is just large enough for the image and one or two worshippers. Visitors usually have to stoop to enter. We have not found a reliable written history of its construction, so we do not repeat the stories told about it.
What are the Ganesh Tok timings?
It is generally open from early morning until early evening, roughly 6 am to 7 pm, though hours may change with the season. The zoo opposite keeps its own, shorter hours. Check current status before you travel, especially for an evening visit.
Are there many steps at Ganesh Tok?
A few flights from the car park, which take three to five minutes for most people. Seniors should climb slowly and rest, since the shrine is at about 1,980 m. The terrace is level once you are up. The shrine entrance itself is low, so mind your head.
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