SARAMSA GARDEN GUIDE

Why Should I Go

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys exploring gardens and their flowers, Saramsa is where you should land up. The government of Sikkim has allowed for the cultivation of a variety of orchids and other flora in this recreation park, transforming the spot into a lush garden.

For those travelling with their families to Sikkim, Saramsa Garden is the perfect picnic spot. One can take long, leisurely strolls in this landscaped park. Walk over quaint footbridges, past faux-Victorian lampposts, and evergreen shrubs of varying heights. On a clear day, Saramsa Garden attracts both locals and tourists. You can even view the flowing waters of the River Rani from this park.

How Do I Get There

Saramsa Garden is 14.1kms away from Gangtok. A 45-minute taxi ride will take you down Indira Bypass Road and you know the garden is near when you pass the Shiva Panchayatan Temple, on the way.

The garden is located between the hill slopes of Pakyong and Gangtok, and is 2kms from Ranipool, the picturesque east Sikkim town.

When Should I Land Up

Saramsa Park is open all through the week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can bypass the crowd by landing up early on a weekday. The park is at its best when you can explore the flora in quietude. One needs to shell out ₹10 as an entry fee.

The Finer Details

Constructed in 1922, Saramsa Garden was set up in order to provide fruits for the colonial officers and the Namgyal Royal Family. The Forest Manager’s interest in horticulture and floriculture meant the garden soon became the place to introduce new varieties of fruits and flowers. Everything from oranges to lychees, guavas to pineapples were planted here.

Post 1940, a particular medicinal plant was cultivated here and the garden is still home to a number of plants that have curative abilities.

Don’t forget to visit the massive nursery inside that forms an exhibit of Sikkim’s rich floriculture. In fact, Saramsa Garden is the perfect introduction for botany lovers who visit Sikkim because of its rich flora. The shrubs and short tress spread around Samsara Garden are manicured into different shapes adding to the aesthetic of the park.

The park is divided into several blocks, and one of the most beautiful sections is towards the north-west as you enter the main gate. A canopy of trees have grown thick blocking out the sunlight and creating a natural shed where one can sit and spend some quality time amidst nature.