Planning for a November vacation to Sikkim? Be sure to check out the 137-feet statue of Chenrezig, touted to be the world's tallest figurine of the Tibetan-Buddhist deity. According to Sikkim government, the pilgrim site at Pelling, West Sikkim, will play host to the statue at an elevation of 7,200 meters. Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig is the earthly manifestation of the self-born, eternal Buddha, Amitabha.

Details Building statue, complex was challenging because of rough terrain: Minister

The project, which started in 2009, was consecrated by the Dalai Lama this March. As part of the State Government's policy to promote Sikkim as a Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism Circuit, the destination park has been built at Sangha Choeling at Rs. 46.65cr. "Building the statue and a new complex has been challenging because of the rough terrain," said Tourism Minister Ugen T Gyatso.

Aspirations Chief Minister Pawan Chamling wants to make Sikkim a 'Shingkham'

Another official at Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's office said Chamling had conceptualized the idea of making Sikkim a "Shingkham", which means paradise, by constructing statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava in the state. "The popular Buddhist belief is that any altar is incomplete without the presence of statues of Lord Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava, and Chenrezig," he added.

Information Sikkim has two more Buddhist pilgrimage circuits