Siddhesvara Dhaam at Solophok Hills is a beautiful pilgrimage center situated around 5500 feet (1675 meters) above sea level in the Sikkim state of India. Siddhesvara Dhaam pilgrimage center at Solophok Hills was opened in November 2011.
The statue of 87 feet high Lord Shiva, inside Siddhesvara Dhaam at Solophok Hills
Siddhesvara Dhaam at Solophok Hills has unique temples, Char Dham and Jyotirlingas. Lord Kirateshwar statue, having a height of 16.5 feet, is in the pilgrim center at Solophok Hills. Shirdi Sai Baba temple is also in the Siddhesvara Dhaam pilgrimage center at Solophok Hills.
The main temple at the pilgrimage center in Solophok Hills is 108 feet tall and has a statue of Lord Shiva, which is 87 feet high, in sitting posture.
There is a replica of Chardham at the pilgrim center. 12 Jyotirlingas are also replicated here for the convenience of Shiva devotees.
Char Dham is the four holy temples at Badrinath, Jaganath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. Visiting these four temples helps one to attain Moksha or Salvation. The first three temples are dedicated to Lord Vishu, while the last is to Lord Shiva.
Twelve Jyotirlingas are also replicated here for the convenience of Shiva devotees. The twelve Jyotirlingas in different parts of India are listed here.
How Do I Go to Siddhesvara Dhaam at Solophok Hills?
Siddhesvara Dhaam at Solophok Hills, where Char Dham and Jyotirlingas are replicated, is at a distance of five kilometers from Namchi town, the capital of South Sikkim district. This pilgrim center is marked as Char Dham in Google Maps. There is a motorable road to the top of the hills.
The capital city of Gangtok is around 78 kilometers from Namchi town. Siliguri Junction railway station in West Bengal state is the nearest railway station to Namchi town, at around 100 kilometers distance. There are regular bus services to Gangtok, Siliguri, etc. There is a helipad around five kilometers from Namchi town, which offers helicopter services for tourists.
Entry timings, Entry requirements for Foreigners
Siddhesvara Dhaam opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm. Those who are not citizens of India need to obtain a 30-day Inner Line Permit (which can be extended if required) to visit the state of Sikkim, which is issued by Indian Missions abroad and also by Sikkim tourism department offices in New Delhi and Kolkotta, apart from Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Rangpo District Magistrates.
Is Accommodation Available at the Siddhesvara Dhaam Pilgrim Center at Solophok Hills?
Yes, The Siddhesvara Dhaam pilgrim center at Solophok Hills offers accommodation.
There is a 96 bedded Yatri Niwas. There are standard rooms and a VIP guest house. There are separate rooms for drivers also.
What are the Nearby Tourist Places to Siddhesvara Dhaam at Solophok Hills?
Ngadak Monastery, Tendong Hill, Samdruptse Monastery on Samdruptse Hill, Namchi Monastery, Ralong Monastery, etc, are nearby Buddhist tourist centers. The Rock Garden on the way to Samdruptse Hill (where the above-mentioned statue is situated) offers one of the most magnificent views of Mount Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain peak, at an altitude of 8,586 meters or 28,169 feet above sea level.
Tendong Hills can be reached only by trekking from Damthang. Damthang is at a distance of 13 kilometers from Ravangla. Once you reach the Tendong hilltop, you can view the entire Eastern Himalayas from the three-storied watchtower. You must trek through the forest for around six kilometers to reach the Tendong hilltop.
Guru Rinpoche Statue in Sikkim
One of the World’s tallest statues of Buddhist Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, with a height of 36 meters or 120 feet, is situated at Samdruptse Hill, close to Namchi town in Sikkim.