A – SIKKIM

B – Contents ~

1.Introduction
Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It borders Tibet in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in
the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to India’s Siliguri Corridor near Bangladesh.
Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest among the Indian states. A part of the Eastern Himalaya,
Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to
Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth.Sikkim’s capital and largest city is
Gangtok. Almost 35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It is The Part of the Himalayas, the area has a dramatic landscape that includes India’s highest
mountain, 8,586m Kangchenjunga. Sikkim is also home to glaciers, alpine meadows and thousands of varieties
of wildflowers. Steep paths lead to hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, which dates to the early
1700s.

2.Symbols
Symbols of Sikkim
 Emblem - Emblem of Sikkim

 Mammal - Red Panda

 Bird - Blood Pheasant

  Flower - Noble dendrobium

 Tree - Rhododendron

3.Culture
Sikkim is a unique blend of different religion, customs and traditions of different communities. In the ancient
times, Sikkim was occupied by three tribes; Naong, Chang and the Mon. But with the course of time, the
inhabitants of the nearby countries became a major inhabitant of the state. That includes the Lepchas; the clan
of Nagas from Tibet, are one of the tribal groups, the Bhutias; the descendents of Buddhists from Tibet and the
Nepalese; the descendents of the Hindus from Nepal, which now dominates the considerable portion of the
Sikkim’s population. And hence, Nepali is the most common among all the languages in Sikkim. The Tibetan
Bhutias, secured their deep rooted ties to the tradition and belief since the last three centuries they had been
settled in Sikkim. Living together harmoniously, the Sikkimese Bhutias and Tibetans display the cultural, social
and linguistic commonness in
 between.Sikkim is like a beautiful bouquet that is adorned with the amazing colors and essence of different
flowers, in the form of attractive folk dances, customs and traditions of different tribes and castes.

4.Climate

The state has five seasons: winter, summer, spring, autumn, and monsoon season. Sikkim’s climate ranges from
sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim experience a temperate
climate, with temperatures seldom exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature for
most of Sikkim is around 18 °C (64 °F).
Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line ranges from 6,100 metres
(20,000 ft) in the south of the state to 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) in the north.The tundra-type region in the north
is snowbound for four months every year, and the temperature drops below 0 °C (32 °F) almost every night. In
north-western Sikkim, the peaks are frozen year-round because of the high altitude, temperatures in the
mountains can drop to as low as −40 °C in winter. During the monsoon, heavy rains increase the risk of
landslides. The record for the longest period of continuous rain in Sikkim is 11 days. Fog affects many parts of
the state during winter and the monsoons, making transportation perilous.

5.Sikkimese cuisine

Sikkimese cuisine is the cuisine of the state of Sikkim, located in northeastern India. Rice is a staple food, and
fermented foods traditionally constitute a significant portion of the cuisine.[1] Nepalese cuisine is popular, as
Sikkim is the only state of India with an ethnic Nepali majority. Many restaurants in Sikkim serve various types
of Nepalese cuisine, such as the Newa and Thakali cuisines. Tibetan cuisine has also influenced Sikkimese
cuisine. Sikkimese meals typically follow a bhat-dal-tharkari-achar (rice-legume soup-curry-pickle) pattern.
6.Dress/Costume

The Kho or Bakhu is a traditional dress worn by Bhutia, ethnic Sikkimese people of Sikkim and Nepal. It is a
loose, cloak-style garment that is fastened at the neck on one side and near the waist with a silk or cotton belt
similar to the Tibetan chuba and to the Ngalop gho of Bhutan, but sleeveless. Women wear a silken, full-sleeve
blouse called a honju inside the kho; a loose gown type garment fastened near the waist, tightened with a belt.
Married women tie a multi-coloured striped apron of woollen cloth called pangden around their waist.
Male members wear a loose trouser under the kho. The traditional outfit is complemented by embroidered
leather boots by both men and women.
7.Tourism
• Tourism in the state
Tourism in Sikkim gained popularity during the last decade with an increasing number of tourists visiting this
hilly region for its natural beauty. Till the early ’90s, few tourists would visit this landlocked state.
Even those who visited hardly went beyond Gangtok, the state capital. During the last two decades, tourism
has seen a major boost in the state with close to a million tourists visiting Sikkim every year.

• Tourist Destinations
Gangtok is the most important town and the capital of the state. It lies on a ridge with fine views of the
Kanchenjunga. This is the most common tourist destination in the state. You can easily spend 2 to 3 days
sightseeing around Gangtok.If you intend to travel to North Sikkim, you must spend two nights in Gangtok on
your way and back.
Pelling is the second most popular tourist destination. It is the original capital of Sikkim and ruins of the
erstwhile capital is still well preserved. Pelling also offers excellent views of the Kanchenjunga range of
mountain.
North Sikkim offers natural beauty at its best. Lachen and Lachung are the two main tourist towns; Lachen
acting as a base for a trip to Gurudongmar and Lachung as the base for visiting the Yumthang valley area.