SIKKIM- The Northeastern Beauty

Sikkim is a beautiful state located in the northeastern part of India. It shares its border with China in the north and northeast, Bhutan, Nepal and West Bengal in the east, west and south respectively. Sikkim is the least populated and second-smallest state in India. Sikkim is known for its biodiversity. Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth make Sikkim more significant. Gangtok, the largest city of the state is the capital of Sikkim. Khangchendzonga National Park covered almost 35% of the state.




Medieval and Modern History

The kingdom of Sikkim was founded in the 17th century by Namgyal dynasty. Buddhist priest-kings named Chogyal rule the Namgyal dynasty. The earliest inhabitants of Sikkim are considered to be the Lepchas. In the secluded parts of West and South districts, the Limbus and the Magars also lived as early as the Lepchas lived in the East and North districts. In 1890, Sikkim became a princely state of British India. Post-independence, after 1947 and 1950, Sikkim continued its dependency status with the Union of India and the Republic of India respectively. In front of the Chogyal's palace, anti-royalist riots took place in 1973. People deposed the monarchy in 1975.


The  Prime Minister of Sikkim appealed to the Indian Parliament to become Sikkim as a state of India in the year 1975. The Indian Army in April at the same year conquer the city of Gangtok and disarmed the Chogyal's palace guards. A referendum was held in 1975, where 97.5 per cent of voters supported the abolishment of the monarchy system. Sikkim became as a 22nd state of Union India on 16 May 1975 and abolish the monarchy system. Now the modern Sikkim is a multilingual and multiethnic state. English, Nepali, Sikkimese and Lepcha is the official language of Sikkim. Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism is the predominant religions of Sikkim.

 

Connection of the State

Sikkim fringes the province of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal and West Bengal in the west and south respectively. Sikkim is also close to India's Siliguri Corridor near Bangladesh. For transportation, Sikkim relies for the most part upon the road. Siliguri to Gangtok is linked by the national highway 10.  Northeast Frontier Railway began to construct a rail line to connect with rest of the country. Nearly 45 kilometres-long Sivok-Rangpo rail project has started to connect Sivok railway station in Darjeeling district in West Bengal to Rangpo in East Sikkim. Pakyong airport is located at Pakyong town near Gangtok which is around 60 km from the Indo-China border. One can also travel to the nearest airport in Bagdogra, West Bengal which is about 124 kilometres far from Gangtok and it takes around 5 hours from Bagdogra by buses or cabs to the capital of Sikkim.


Climate and Festival’s

Sikkim has five seasons - winter, summer, spring, autumn, and monsoon season. The climate condition of Sikkim ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. For most of the Sikkim, the average annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F). Sikkim receive regular snowfall like the other few states of India. The ranges of the snow line is 6,100 metres in the south to 4,900 metres in the north of the state. Every year the tundra-type region in the north of the state is covered with snow for four months. In this region, almost every night the temperature drops to 0 °C (32 °F). Due to the high altitude in the north-western Sikkim, the temperatures can drop to as low as −40 °C (−40 °F) in winter. Heavy rains during the monsoon season increase the risk of landslides in the state.

 

All major Hindu festival such as Tihar (Diwali) and Dashain (Dashera) is celebrated by the Sikkim's Nepalese. Apart from this the state also celebrate traditional local festival which includes Ubhauli / Udhauli, Chasok Tangnam,  Maghe Sankranti and Bhimsen Puja. Among the Buddhist festivals, Sikkim also celebrates  Losar, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu. Most offices and educational institutions are closed for a week during the Losar celebration(Tibetan New Year).

 

Off Beat Locations

Sikkim has always been one of the most wonderful tourist destinations. The glory of the natural beauty attracts the heart of many tourists.

      Ravangla

      Gyalshing

      Tsomgo Lake

      Borong

      Sumbuk

      Barsey

      Yumthang Valley

      Tashiding

      Bermiok

      Gangtok


Rivers and Lakes

Rivers: The significance streams of Sikkim are Teesta river, Rangeet river, Rangpo river, Lachen river, Relli river and Jaldhaka river.

 

Lakes :

     Tsomgo Lake

     Menmecho Lake

     Karthok Lake

     Khecheopalri Lake

     Samiti Lake

     Green Lake

     Gurudongmar Lake

 

Folk Dance Songs and Language

The folk dance song of Sikkim signifies the beauty of the natural surroundings and depict he harvest season and performing for good luck and prosperity. The popular folk dance song of Sikkim are Maruni, Tamamg Selo, Zo Mal Lok, Tashi Sabdo and Tibetan Yak Dance. The other popular folk dance songs of Sikkim includes Tibetan Singhi Chaam,the Sherpa Sebru Naach,Gurung Sorathi,Bhutia Lu-Khang thamo, Subba Chabrung Dance,Bhutia Talachi, Bhutia Be-yul-mista,Lepcha Mon-Dryak-Lok,Nepali Dhaan Naach, Lepcha Kar Gnpk lok,Bhutia Gha-to-Kito,Lepcha Dhamra Jo,Bhutia Be-yul-mista and Bhutia Chi-Rimu.

English, Nepali, Sikkimese and Lepcha is the official language of Sikkim. Other official languages of Sikkim includes Magar, Mukhia, Newar, Rai, Gurung, Limbu, Sherpa and Tamang.


Education

The adult literacy rate of Sikkim in 2011 was 82.2 per cent. A total of 1,157 schools are there in the state. Out of 1,157 school, 765 schools are run by the state government, 7 is a central government schools and 385 are private schools. Sikkim also has a National Institute of Technology campus in Ravangla, South Sikkim. Sikkim University has started operating from 2008 at Yangang.

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