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{{about|a city in Sikkim, India|a town in Nepal|Namche}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Namchi
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[List of cities in India by population|City]]
| image_skyline = Namchi Monastery7.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Namchi Monastery
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Sikkim#India3
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Namchi in Sikkim
| coordinates = {{coord|27.17|N|88.35|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{Flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts in India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|..Sikkim Flag(INDIA).png}} [[Sikkim]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[South Sikkim]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Council (India)|Municipal Council]]

| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1315
| population_total = 12194
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 737 126
| area_code = 03595
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = SK 05
| blank_name_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| website =
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Bhutia language|Bhutia]], [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]], [[Limbu language|Limbu]], [[Newari language|Newari]], [[Rai languages|Rai]], [[Gurung language|Gurung]], Mangar, [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]], [[Tamang language|Tamang]] and [[Sunwar language|Sunwar]]
}}

'''Namchi''' or '''Namtse'''<ref name = NIC>{{cite web|url=http://sikkim.nic.in/sws/poi_sou.htm|title=South Skikkim|publisher=[[National Informatics Centre]]|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> is the district headquarter of the [[administrative divisions of India|district]] of [[South Sikkim]] in the [[India]]n [[states and union territories of India|state]] of [[Sikkim]]. The appellation Namchi means ''Sky (Nam) High (Chi)'' in [[Sikkimese language|Sikkimese]].<ref name = NIC />

== Geography ==
Namchi is located at {{coord|27.17|N|88.35|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/0/Namchi.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Namchi]</ref> It has an average elevation of {{convert|1315|m}}.

Namchi is situated at an altitude of 1,675 m (5500 feet) above [[sea level]]. It is situated at a distance of {{convert|78|km}} from the state capital [[Gangtok]] and {{convert|100|km}} from the town of [[Siliguri]],<ref name = NIC /> the nearest railhead and airport. Namchi lies off the road between [[Melli]] and [[Jorethang]]. Namchi is well connected to other towns in Sikkim and [[West Bengal]]. [[Jeep]]s and buses regularly ply between Namchi to [[Gangtok]], [[Pelling]], Jorethang, [[Kalimpong]] and [[Siliguri]].

It is home of the [[Buxa Formation of Mamley]], the stromatolite bearing Dolomite Limestones, which has been declared [[List of National Geological Monuments in India|national geological monument]] by the [[Geological Survey of India]] (GSI), for their protection, maintenance, promotion and enhancement of [[geotourism]].<ref name=gsi1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712055947/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=12 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="gsi2">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137573|title=Geo-Heritage Sites|date=2016-03-09|website=pib.nic.in|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]|access-date=2018-09-15}}</ref><ref name=gsi3>[http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf national geo-heritage of India], [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage|INTACH]]</ref>

===Mamley national geological monument===
[[Buxa Formation of Mamley]] in [[Mamley]], the stromatolite bearing Dolomite Limestones, cleanuphas been declared [[List of National Geological Monuments in India|national geological monument]] by the [[Geological Survey of India]] (GSI), for their protection, maintenance, promotion and enhancement of [[geotourism]].<ref name=gsi1/><ref name="gsi2"/><ref name=gsi3/> It is contiguous to the [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]] in neighboring state of West Bengal.

== Demographics ==
{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Namchi has a population of 12194. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Namchi has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 73%. In Namchi, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Most of the people of Namchi are [[Hindu]]s and [[Buddhist]]s. Languages spoken are [[Nepali language|Nepali]].

== Education ==
Namchi has more than half a dozen private schools with quality education (Mt. Carmel School, Namchi Public School, Tendong Educational Institute, New Light Academy, Bethany School etc.) and government higher secondary schools for boys and girls and prominent computer institutes e.g. Informatics Computer Institute (under Government of Sikkim Registered) Multimedia Computer Institute an authorized study center of Manipal Group etc. Just few kilometers away from the town is a reputed Government College for Arts, Education, Science, Commerce. People give a lot of importance and focus on education with a reverence. Namchi Public School, run by Catholic missionaries, is one of the respected educational institutes in the state and one of the best in the south district of Sikkim.

== Tourism ==

[[File:Cherry Resort inside Temi Tea Garden, Namchi, Sikkim.jpg|thumb|Cherry Resort inside Temi Tea Garden, Namchi, Sikkim]]

Namchi is fast becoming a tourist spot and pilgrimage centre.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} The [[Namchi Monastery]], [[Ralang Monastery]] and Tendong Hill are local [[Buddhist]] pilgrimage centres. The world's largest statue (at 118 feet) of the [[Buddhist]] [[Padmasambhava]],{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling hill) opposite Namchi. It was completed in February 2004. It is also said that the Samdruptse hill is actually a dormant volcano. Myths say that the Buddhist monks have been going on top of the hill and offering prayers to the volcano to keep it calm. There is also a Rock Garden a few kilometers from the town on the way to Samdruptse. The area has views of Mt. Kanchendzonga, aka [[Kangchenjunga|Mt. Kangchenjunga]], the world's third highest peak.
[[File:Namchi.jpg|thumb|left|Central Park, Namchi]]
Recently inaugurated (in November 2011), the Siddhesvara Dhaam is a pilgrimage-tourism venture of the Sikkim Government developed as "Pilgrim cum Cultural Centre" boasting an 87-ft statue of [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] and replicas of four Dhaams of the country, all at one place on the Solophok hilltop in Namchi. [[Char Dham]], the four most revered Dhams of the Hindus have been replicated in this fantastic complex to benefit the devotees and tourists. The dream project of Chief Minister [[Pawan Chamling]] which was conceived by him and started in the year 2005 stands promisingly amidst the breathtaking surrounding of Solophok hill, befitting the mythological setting behind the establishment of the original Dhams. For the consecration of the Dham Shri Jagadguru Sankaryacharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati, in the presence of the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling and his wife Smt Tika Maya Chamling, did the "Pran Prastisha" of the Dham.
[[File:Lordshiva.JPG|thumb|This is the statue of Lord Shiva at Siddhesvara Dhaam in Namchi, Sikkim]]
There are replicas of the "Dwadash Jyotirlingas" (the twelve jyothirlingas) of Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleswar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Viswanath, Triambakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageswar, Rameshwar at Rameswaram and Grishneshwar surrounding the statue of Lord Shiva and the [[Char Dham]]s. There is a grand statue of Kirateshvar Mahadev and a temple of Shirdi Sai Baba too. One can have a view of the Mt Kanchenjunga, Statue of [[Padmasambhava|Guru Padmasambhava]] at Samdruptse, [[Darjeeling]] and other such locations from here. The Dhaam facilitates the devotees for an overnight stay at the "Yatri Niwas" which can accommodate more than 90 people at a time.
The Dham has won the National Tourism Awards 2010–11 under the category of "Most Innovative/Unique Tourism Project" by the [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism]], [[Government of India]].

A helipad is located 5 km from the town at an altitude of around 5000 ft. From here one can get the most panoramic view of Mt. Kanchendzonga along with other adjacent peaks, a part of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the rolling plains of [[Bengal]].

Near the town, Sikkim's sole tea estate — the [[Temi Tea Garden]] is situated. The visitors can enjoy the scenic view of Temi tea garden - the one and the only tea estate in the state which produces top quality tea in the international market. The tea carries a premium the world over and costs around [[Indian rupee|Rs.]] 800/- a [[Kilogram|kg]]. The tea is marked by its exotic odour and flavour. {{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

[[File:Statue of Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the patron saint of Sikkim.jpg|thumb|left|Panoramic view of the statue of Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the patron saint of [[Sikkim]] on Samdruptse Hill, Namchi]]
[[File:Sai Temple in Namchi, Sikkim.jpg|thumb|Sai Temple in Namchi]]

In the month of February, the Namchi garden hosts it annual flower show. The flower show is the largest in Sikkim, with flowers of vivid colours. The prime attraction of this show is the display of exotic and rare [[orchid]]s.

One of the highlights of the town is the [[football (soccer)|football]] stadium – the [[Baichung Stadium|Bhaichung Stadium]] built by the Sikkimese government in honour of its most famous citizen, footballer [[Baichung Bhutia|Bhaichung Bhutia]] who owns a number of football schools all over India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbfootballschools.com/|title=BHAICHUNG BHUTIA FOOTBALL SCHOOLS: Best Football School in Delhi, Mumbai|website=www.bbfootballschools.com|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref> "The Gold Cup" football tournament is held in Bhaichung Stadium almost every year. Football teams from all over India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan vie for the honour which draws lot of crowds from all over Sikkim. Namchi is also the base of the former chief minister of Sikkim, [[Pawan Kumar Chamling]].

Historically, Namchi was the place where Pende Ongmoo, the treacherous princess who poisoned one of the Chogyals of Sikkim, was caught and killed for her deed. Legend says her spirit still haunts the foothills of Ghurpisey.

== See also ==
* [[Manjhitar]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}

{{South Sikkim district |state=collapsed}}
{{Sikkim}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in South Sikkim district]]
[[Category:Colossal statues in India]]

Namchi - Revision history

2405:204:3210:771E:0:0:2A75:98AC: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

imported>ANKAN: /* Tourism */