About Handloom and Handicrafts Center

It is now known as the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts as well as the Government Institute of Cottage Industries. Started during the time of the Chogyals of Sikkim, as a venture to protect and propagate the craft and skills of local and village artisans, it has become on t of the major attractions for people visiting Sikkim where traditional handcrafts, furniture, handlooms carpets and other products can be viewed and also purchased . A word of caution to the innocent guest. It is better to check whether there is a government holiday or not as the G.I.C.I. is closed on Sundays, all government declared holidays, second Saturdays and the odd unforeseen holidays.

The Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom was founded in 1957, as Handloom and Handicrafts Centre of Sikkim. This is situated 500 metres from the central market of Gangtok. This organization has been established to conserve and pass around the art and craft skills of the artificers of Gangtok. In this centre, the visitors can see blankets, elegant hand-carven folding tables (Choktse), hand-loomed carpets with conventional themes, hand-painted masques, shawls, traditional paintings, wooden dolls and many other handicrafts.

Besides the above-mentioned products, one can find batiks, crafts made of bamboo, embroidery footwear, lamp stands, and silk cloths. Numerous tourists visit the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom to purchase and look up to the crafts of Sikkim.

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